Durant, Irving To The Knicks? Kristaps Porzingis Is Key, Isola Says

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s futures in their respective franchises the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics is a constant topic of speculation as both players can enter free agency in 2019.

The Celtics point guard refused to sign a new deal this summer and it is almost certain he will opt out of his deal before either re-signing a new deal to remain with the Celtics or join the franchise of his choosing as an unrestricted free agent.

The Warriors forward, on the other hand, entered free agency this summer, but re-signed with the reigning NBA champions on a 1+1 deal. The deal will allow him to decline player option again next summer and enter free agency.

According to NBA reported and Knicks insider Frank Isola, the New York franchise are keen to sign one of the two aforementioned stars, but admitted it will depend on Kristaps Porzingis being fully fit.

The Knicks are looking to build a team capable of challenging regularly in the latter stages in the post-season and have put together few pieces in Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina and recent draft pick Kevin Knox. They are now keen to lure a star player during free agency in 2019 with Durant and Irving on their radar.

“Best case scenario Kevin Knox is playing well, Frank Ntilikina has developed and Porzingis is back to being healthy and you have a lottery pick,” Isola said on Chris Mannix’s Yahoo Sports NBA podcast.

“Now things might look different for a prospective free agent and you might start talking about guys like Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant. ... Are they going to come to New York? I don’t know but at least… if Porzingis is healthy, I think that’s going to be the key,” he explained. “If he’s healthy I could see a guy like Kevin Durant thinking about the possibility, same thing with Kyrie Irving.”

However, Isola admitted signing Irving or Durant will not be an easy task as both their current franchises are likely to do whatever they can to retain their services. The Knicks insider believes Durant could choose to remain with the Warriors despite having a player option for next season.

The Warriors forward has won two titles since joining the Bay Area team and was nominated as the NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. If he wins a third this upcoming season, and they are favorite to do so, he will have as many as LeBron James, who is considered the greatest player among the current generation.

Durant could opt to choose to remain with the Warriors if he sees himself being able to add more titles, which will probably take him past James as the greatest ever of the current generation, while also putting him high on the all-time list.

“Kevin Durant, he keeps taking discounts in NBA terms to stay in Oakland and next year they’re moving into their new building in San Francisco,” Isola said.

“If he were to win this year, that gives him three championships. That gives him as many titles as LeBron. If he stays in Golden State, maybe he can get a couple more out of there and then he puts himself in a different class to LeBron James. ... I think they’re the two players on the Knicks radar. I’m not saying that they can’t get them but it might be a little harder than maybe the Knicks fans want to believe,” he added.