Should the New York Knicks trade for Kevin Durant? Examining The Pros And Cons

The Knicks' current core came within two wins of the NBA Finals for the first time this century. Breaking up that group would be a massive roll of the dice...

Let's start here: Kevin Durant is one of the 20 greatest basketball players ever to set foot on the hardwood.

This past season, KD passed Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Carmelo Anthony and Shaquille O'Neal on the NBA's all-time career scoring list. He currently sits in 8th place, trailing only Wilt, Dirk, MJ, Kobe, Karl Malone, Kareem, and LeBron.

Durant has two titles on his resume to go along with two NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards. He has been named an All-Star 14 times in his career, the second-most All-Star appearances among active players, trailing only LeBron James. He's been named to the All-NBA Team nine times and is a four-time scoring champion.

And even though he'll turn 37 later this summer, Durant is still playing at an incredibly high level. This past season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and a career-high 2.6 made three-pointers while shooting a blistering 52.7% from the floor, 43% from downtown and 83.9% from the free-throw stripe. In the process, he became the first player ever to shoot above 52% from the field and above 42% from distance in the same year (min. 1,000+ FGAs and 300+ 3PTAs).

KD is one of only three players in history to slash 50/40/90 in multiple seasons (Larry Bird and Steph Curry are the other two).

Durant's efficiency is even more remarkable when you factor in the high number of mid-range jumpers he puts up. KD has ranked in the top 3 in most mid-range FGs made per game in each of the past three seasons. He was also second in the league in spot-up points per game (6.0PPG) in 2024-25.

Before being sidelined by a left ankle sprain late in the season, Durant averaged 36.7 points and 4.7 treys over a three-game stretch in March, joining LeBron and Kobe as the only players in NBA history with 110+ points over a three-game span in Year 17 or higher.

In his prime, Durant was one of the most versatile and impactful defenders in the league. While far from dominant on the defensive end nowadays, he is still able to hold his own and guard multiple positions.

So, why are the Suns considering parting ways with this future Hall-of-Famer, especially considering they traded away Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a future pick swap to acquire him just two years ago?

Well, the last two years have been a disaster in the desert. Phoenix finished in the 6th seed in 2023-24 before being swept out of the first round by Minnesota. This past season, despite having the highest payroll in the NBA ($220.7 million), the Suns finished 10 games below .500 and failed to qualify for the Play-In Tournament. (Yet, it is worth noting the Suns went 33-29 when Durant played and 3-17 in the games he missed.)

Running it back does not seem like a realistic option for Phoenix and its impatient owner, Mat Ishbia. Rumors that Durant wanted out intensified over the winter. KD was nearly dealt to the Warriors at the trade deadline in February, but he made it clear that he did not want to return to Golden State.

The scuttlebutt has kicked into hyperdrive since the regular season ended, with the Suns losing nine of their final ten games and subsequently firing head coach Mike Budenholzer.

Last week, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that Phoenix is "aggressive in pursuit of trading" Durant, and ESPN's Shams Charania asserted Phoenix would engage in "serious conversations" about trading Durant before the NBA draft later this month, with 4-6 teams (including the Knicks) "seriously interested."

During a TV appearance last Thursday, Charania sent Knicks Twitter into a frenzy when he reported that New York had made an offer for Durant at the deadline. While we don't have any details on what the Knicks may or may not have been willing to send to Phoenix in February, if the two clubs consummate a blockbuster this summer, the most likely scenario would involve Karl-Anthony Towns and Durant as the two primary pieces. They have nearly identical salaries next season, with KAT taking home $53.1 million and KD earning $54.7 million.

The billion-dollar question for Leon Rose is whether such a move would make sense for New York.