The New York Knicks are expected to become one of the most aggressive teams in free agency next summer, when several big-name players hit the market.
If recent rumors and talks are to be believed, the Knicks could eventually form a super team in the 2016-17 NBA season. ESPN analyst Stephen Smith mentioned that there is a chance Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant will both end up in New York next summer.
According to Smith, Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony is recruiting Durant, who will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, as his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder is set to expire in July next year.
Smith said that Anthony has no plans to stop his recruiting pitch to Durant, who is also reportedly interested in playing in the Big Apple in the next several years.
"I know for a fact that Carmelo Anthony has been and will continue to recruit Kevin Durant until the cows come home," Smith said. "I'm also hearing that Kevin Durant is giving the New York Knicks consideration."
Durant, who was slowed down by a recurring foot injury last season, recently said that he is not thinking about his impending free agency because he is focused on leading his team in the upcoming season.
However, the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player is continuously being linked to a move out of Oklahoma City, especially if the Thunder will not win the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy in the coming season.
Aside from Durant, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant might consider moving to New York next year. Bryant, who has spent his entire 19-year NBA career with the Lakers, will be playing in the final year of his contract.
And if the Lakers decide not to offer a new deal, Bryant will have the right to pick another team and the 17-time All-Star might consider signing the Knicks because of his ties with team president Phil Jackson. Bryant and Jackson won five championships together in Los Angeles.
Smith saidthat the rumored team up of Anthony, Durant and Bryant should be taken with a grain of salt, but he quickly added that Jackson might be able to pull a trick next summer.
"I can't see it, to be quite honest with you," Smith said. "But who knows? Anything's possible because Phil is in New York for Kobe and then there's Durant and Melo, who would be there for anybody if that were to happen."
