The New York Knicks boast one of the NBA’s strongest rosters, anchored by All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. However, they remain a step below elite teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. To close the gap, the Knicks may need to make key adjustments in the offseason to reach that upper tier of contenders.
ESPN mock trade has the Knicks landing Kevin Durant for two key players
One superstar the Knicks could target is Kevin Durant, as the Phoenix Suns may look to trade him this summer amid a disappointing season. If Durant becomes available, New York could finally land the player they missed out on six years ago when he chose the Brooklyn Nets.
ESPN’s André Snellings proposed a mock trade in which the Knicks would acquire Durant in exchange for OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson.
“In this deal, the Knicks get Durant after missing out to their crosstown rivals six years ago,” Snellings wrote. “The Knicks’ offense is strong but heavily reliant on Jalen Brunson to create for others. Durant, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, would ease that burden while forming a dynamic offensive trio with Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, making the Knicks one of the most efficient and productive teams in the league.”
Durant is still one of the best players in the league
Even at 36, Kevin Durant remains one of the NBA’s elite players. This season with the Suns, he is averaging 26.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while maintaining his status as one of the league’s top shot-makers.
Adding Durant to the Knicks would transform their offense, creating a formidable Big 3 alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. With Durant’s scoring prowess, New York could boast one of the most explosive offensive units in recent NBA history.
However, Snellings’ proposed trade would come at a cost, as the Knicks would lose their two best defenders—OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson. Anunoby, who was acquired last season and later signed a five-year, $212 million contract, has been a defensive anchor for the team. Trading him and Robinson would weaken New York’s defensive identity, forcing them to compensate for the loss on that end of the floor.
The Knicks would be moving two big contracts in this mock trade
Robinson, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries throughout his career and missed the first 58 games of this season due to offseason ankle surgery. When healthy, he is an elite offensive rebounder and shot-blocker, but his lack of availability has been a major issue for the Knicks.
Financially, including both Anunoby and Robinson in a trade would help match salaries in a deal for Durant. It would also allow the Knicks to move off Robinson’s four-year, $60 million contract, potentially giving them more flexibility to make additional roster moves.
The Knicks are set for a pivotal offseason and are expected to be major players in the Durant sweepstakes. If they can pull off another blockbuster deal, they could position themselves as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the NBA.
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