New York Knicks: 3 options for the Knicks if they miss on Durant and Kyrie
By Kyle Morello
The New York Knicks might be on the cusp of improving their team drastically in one offseason. While names like Durant and Kyrie come to mind, here are other options the Knicks could consider.
The New York Knicks have positioned themselves to have the offseason of a lifetime. With a probable top five pick and the cap space for two max contracts, the possibilities are endless. But what happens if they miss out on their top targets?
There has been a lot of chatter over the last month or so as to what the New York Knicks will do this offseason. After they traded Kristaps Porzingis for essentially Dennis Smith Jr. and cap relief, the team will now have enough salary cap space for two max contracts this summer.
Because of this, there has been endless speculation as to who the Knicks will target come July 1st. The two names that have come up the most, however, is Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who will both be unrestricted free agents this offseason.
While both have been rumored to be interested in coming to New York, it is no guarantee either of them will.
Durant is in the midst of a three-peat attempt with the Golden State Warriors. If he wins another title, will he balk at future opportunities to win more with the same core the Warriors have now?
Irving is also a question mark, as the Boston Celtics have a young, promising group of players. And while they haven’t always clicked they way they would have hoped, Brad Stevens‘ group is extremely talented and Irving may not want to leave.
Could one or both of them still come to the Knicks despite these circumstances? Of course they could.
They also have a young, talented group with a likely top five pick coming up in this year’s draft as well as a likable coach in David Fizdale.
Luckily for the Knicks, the free agent class this year is loaded with talented players, and they will have options as to who they want to target to help bring the team back to relevancy.
Let’s take a look at the possible backup plans for the Knicks this offseason.