Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant is the top free agent on the market, and has been in New York since last week, declining multiple interview requests by The Post on Sunday. And while the Knicks havent yet landed a sit-down with Durant and are believed to be long shots at best to sign him this summer, a recent report claims that they have at least given themselves an opportunity to sign the star.
While the Oklahoman had recently broken down the contenders for Durants services and didnt even put the Knicks on the list ranking them behind the delusional pipe-dreamers category USA Today reported Saturday night that the deal for Derrick Rose and development of Kristaps Porzingis have led to Durant seeing the Knicks in a more favorable light. |
http://nypost.com/2016/06/26/kevin-durant-rethinking-knicks-after-derrick-rose-trade-report/
On the other hand the Knicks have NOT been granted a meeting yet per Ian Begley
Ian Begley
ESPN Staff Writer
No meeting has been scheduled - or agreed to - between the Knicks and Kevin Durant at this point, sources say. The Knicks are optimistic that they'll ultimately get consideration from Durant but they were not among the initial group of teams with whom Durant agreed to meet. The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are the first known teams to secure a meeting with Durant, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Durant's ties to the Knicks include his strong relationship with Carmelo Anthony and the relationship between his agent, Rich Kleiman of Roc Nation Sports, and Knicks GM Steve Mills. Still, given that New York is not among the first group of teams with whom Durant has agreed to meet, it seems as if the club faces long odds to sign him.
-Durant's camp has confirmed 6 meetings so far
-Grizzlies claim Wroten
-Knicks add Summers to Summer League squad
-Knicks add Tokoto to Summer League Squad (he reminds me Shumpert, don't count him out making the roster).
- Knicks interested in Crawford (and he in them)
-Kyler says we rank our center options as Noah #1 and Howard #2, would be "surprised" if the Knicks don't sign one of them. At this point I'd be shocked if Noah isn't a Knick.
-Tommy Dee claims we are interested in Parsons and Gerald Green
Then the 6 teams that got the meeting
And somehow the knicks are the team stuck in limbo? Seems a little unfair to the knicks to be basically unsure of what to do, do they wait? Do they just say screw it and move on? Seems weird that they can't get a definitive answer
Then the 6 teams that got the meeting
And somehow the knicks are the team stuck in limbo? Seems a little unfair to the knicks to be basically unsure of what to do, do they wait? Do they just say screw it and move on? Seems weird that they can't get a definitive answer
My guess is despite fans viewing it was "yes or no", that Durant's camp will/is giving the Knicks a clearer indication of whether a meeting is worth having or not. I'm sure if Melo asked his friend "hey can you just meet with us" he would but there is no "point" to meeting unless he's actually going to consider the Knicks. There is only so much ass kissing the Knicks can do. The roster is X, the pick situation is Y, this is the vision, this is the advantage of NYC and either that is enough to make him think "hmmm yeah maybe" or it's not. I will say if the Knicks don't get a meeting it's a clear knock against the idea Phil's rings = foot in the door with the guys we want.
Melo-Durant-KP plus the potential of Rose even getting close to the high point of his career again seems pretty intriguing in the East if you ask me.
A few other smart moves this year and it would be difficult to imagine that team not walking to the East finals.
Melo-Durant-KP plus the potential of Rose even getting close to the high point of his career again seems pretty intriguing in the East if you ask me.
A few other smart moves this year and it would be difficult to imagine that team not walking to the East finals.
But you still need to play a WC team to win it all. Outside GS they had no trouble in the west. And they were up 3-1 against GS. And now they made improvements already going into next season and can still make another splash if they can move Kanter.
In fairness that would suggest he doesn't view the Knicks as being close to contenders even WITH him, that's pretty sobering.
But that's my point why not just tell them he is not interested like he apparently did with thr Lakers Washington and Houston?
If he is truly not interested I'd rather him just tell the knicks no so they don't have to wait
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KD may just not want to waste the Knicks' time. It's nice to be wined and dined by all these teams but I doubt he's actually looking at us as a team he's seriously interested in.
In fairness that would suggest he doesn't view the Knicks as being close to contenders even WITH him, that's pretty sobering.
I mean it's all relative. If he's coming to NY it obviously wouldn't be for basketball reasons, it would be to play with his friends and in the city. GS is the obvious choice for pure basketball reasons, but if he doesn't want to take the easy way out and be ridiculed for going there it's OKC and SA.
Yeah Oklahoma City has improved themselves, but I'm sure Golden State and San Antonio will as well so the west will be just as tough as ever.
Remember Hahn said he heard Durant was interested and would get meeting and we know who is source is
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KD may just not want to waste the Knicks' time. It's nice to be wined and dined by all these teams but I doubt he's actually looking at us as a team he's seriously interested in.
But that's my point why not just tell them he is not interested like he apparently did with thr Lakers Washington and Houston?
If he is truly not interested I'd rather him just tell the knicks no so they don't have to wait
Well I don't think they are waiting. Isn't it reported that Noah is priority #1?
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KD may just not want to waste the Knicks' time. It's nice to be wined and dined by all these teams but I doubt he's actually looking at us as a team he's seriously interested in.
In fairness that would suggest he doesn't view the Knicks as being close to contenders even WITH him, that's pretty sobering.
If that's the case, you would think this would register with Dolan at some point - if he's even paying attention. Melo was supposed to be a draw. Phil was supposed to be a draw. Mills is supposed to have "connections" (I know, try not to laugh out loud). There's really no shortcuts when it comes to adding these guys - unless you're the Heat 6 years ago or the best player in the league happens to have been born in the same state where your team plays.
1. Winning
2. Dont Remember
3. A team that will help his strategy.
I'm at work but if someone could post it that would be appreciated.
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In comment 13010683 arcarsenal said:
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KD may just not want to waste the Knicks' time. It's nice to be wined and dined by all these teams but I doubt he's actually looking at us as a team he's seriously interested in.
But that's my point why not just tell them he is not interested like he apparently did with thr Lakers Washington and Houston?
If he is truly not interested I'd rather him just tell the knicks no so they don't have to wait
Well I don't think they are waiting. Isn't it reported that Noah is priority #1?
But as long as he doesn't want a crazy amount of money knicks can sign both him and durant...
If he asks for to much money can the knicks ks just say screw it to Durant if there is still a chance albeit a small one?
And does anyone really know who the knicks #1 priority is? I think reporters think that because of what rose said
It was leaked like over a week ago that they were pursuing Rose. It was leaked that it would be a "pipe dream" for him to sign here. So don't really see where the secrecy is a strategic move in all of this.
There's no legitimate reason for him to want to play here other than fans projecting eternal glory for being a savior. He can take the money in OKC, or winning at a high level in other situations that actually have more than 5 players under contract.
Can't really say he has been avoiding the knicks since he has been working out with Melo and hanging out with the knicks trainer/ player personnel guy..
The Knicks should offer all 3 at a higher level than most other teams interested.
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to have Durant take his meetings in New York but avoid the Knicks like they're lepers.
Can't really say he has been avoiding the knicks since he has been working out with Melo and hanging out with the knicks trainer/ player personnel guy..
I think you're reading way to much into this.
It'd be more than unfortunate. It'd be a downright slap in the face.
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In comment 13010717 Ten Ton Hammer said:
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to have Durant take his meetings in New York but avoid the Knicks like they're lepers.
Can't really say he has been avoiding the knicks since he has been working out with Melo and hanging out with the knicks trainer/ player personnel guy..
I think you're reading way to much into this.
I am not reading into anything, but you can't say he has been avoiding the knicks when he has done those things...
Really that simple, never said it meant he is signing with the Knicks or anything like that, just said you can't say he is avoiding the knicks
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to have Durant take his meetings in New York but avoid the Knicks like they're lepers.
Can't really say he has been avoiding the knicks since he has been working out with Melo and hanging out with the knicks trainer/ player personnel guy..
Players hanging out with their friends should not be looked too deeply into. Melo goes on family vacations with Wade and Lebron. They're always together. Meant nothing.
It'd be pretty damn hard to, if he re-signs for a 1 year deal in OKC I think 60-65 wins is easily in play for them.
Source: Devin Booker, MVP in France, agreed to Summer League deal with New York Knicks.
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In comment 13010717 Ten Ton Hammer said:
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to have Durant take his meetings in New York but avoid the Knicks like they're lepers.
Can't really say he has been avoiding the knicks since he has been working out with Melo and hanging out with the knicks trainer/ player personnel guy..
Players hanging out with their friends should not be looked too deeply into. Melo goes on family vacations with Wade and Lebron. They're always together. Meant nothing.
But you can't say he is avoiding the knicks, you really think Melo is not recruiting him or talking about the knicks? Come on...
Melo himself said he was going to recruit, Derrick rose who hates recruiting said he was going to recruit...
Source: Devin Booker, MVP in France, agreed to Summer League deal with New York Knicks.
Booker is also the cousin of Jordan Hill, who has also played in the NBA, with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Indiana Pacers.[3]-wiki
Players always think they can make a team better if they team up...
Maybe he thinks rose Melo kp and himself can win in the east?
And that's all I am asking, if the knicks have zero chance how come they have not been ruled out like the Lakers Washington and Houston?
Why are they still in limbo, very s easy for durant to tell Melo or rose hey I am not interested tell Phil no meeting...
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love players citing "winning" as the #1 consideration and then joining a non-playoff team with 6 players on the roster.
Players always think they can make a team better if they team up...
Maybe he thinks rose Melo kp and himself can win in the east?
C'mon if that's the case how many spots could a player join and have it "not" be about winning? Which situations are so bad that the Knicks are about winning but they are not? Brooklyn, Sixers, Lakers, Suns, Nuggets and Kings? I'm not a hater but as of today the Knicks are easily a bottom 1/3 team in the NBA, "joining a winner" is silly as an argument for coming here. If they added Durant, that's another story.
He seems to have a pretty low-wattage ego among NBA stars.
Dont take my word for it, here is what Crawford himself tweeted Sunday.
Follow
Jamal Crawford ✔ @JCrossover
About that time for a # change..
9:04 PM - 26 Jun 2016
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