The New York Knicks are the worst team in the NBA at present, with a dismal record of 9-37, but all is not lost.
Yahoo Sports reported that the Knicks have an expected cap space of about $30 million in the summer and can land the first draft pick in 2015 if they remain at the bottom of the league. With the NBA salary cap also projected to rise in the next two years, the Knicks will even have a more dominant position to acquire the talent they need to build around superstar Carmelo Anthony.
In the same Yahoo Sports report, there are also talks that Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder might possibly join the Knicks when he enters free agency in 2016. Durant is close to Knicks coach Derek Fisher, his former teammate. He is also friends with Carmelo Anthony and looks up to Knicks executives Allan Houston and Steve Mills.
When Durant becomes a free agent, there will be a few teams with enough cap space to afford him like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. The Knicks will also be "in the game" as one of the top contenders for the reigning Most Valuable Player.
SB Nation wrote that a person close to Durant reportedly said, "No question about it. Kevin Loves Carmelo. It could work in New York."
SB Nation also reported that acquiring Durant is possible if they can convince him that they can form a good core consisting of Anthony, Durant and another quality free agent, given their large budget. Also, the Knicks can offer the exposure and privilege that comes with regularly playing in Madison Square Garden, but Durant does not seem the type to enjoy the glitz and glamour of being surrounded by celebrities.
The drawbacks include the OKC not doing well in the current season. OKC also offers a stronger core than what New York can possibly come up with. Carmelo will be 32 by the time Durant becomes a free agent. There is also the possibility that the Knicks might make some administrative changes and lose Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher in the process, further removing perks that Durant may have initially looked forward to.
Overall, it is unlikely that the New York Knicks will have enough to convince Durant to transfer. According to CBS Sports, there are other teams that already have a proven and solid foundation which Durant might find more fitting.