Kevin Durant Should Leave Warriors, Move To Knicks, Tracy McGrady Says

Kevin Durant will enter free agency again in 2019 by declining the player option on his 1+1 contract that he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2018, but it remains unclear if he will re-sign with his current employers or seek out another franchise.

The small forward will be eligible for a max contract in the summer with the Warriors able to offer him a five-year deal worth $221 million, while any other interested team can only offer him a four-year deal worth $164 million.

Durant indicated recently that one of his main motivations in free agency is to get the best deal possible and enjoy playing basketball. The latter he is currently doing in Oakland, and all indicators point toward a new deal with the Warriors, but no one will know until he makes the announcement.

The Los Angeles Lakers are big admirers and would love to pair him with LeBron James, but it is unlikely that he will want to join a team where he will again have to share the spotlight with another top star.

The New York Knicks are also keen to land a top-3 player and have set their sights on Durant when he enters free agency. Multiple reports suggested that they have made strides in their pursuit and are now leading the race for the forward.

Former Houston Rockets shooting guard Tracy McGrady believes it will be good for the NBA if Durant leaves the Warriors and joins another franchise. The seven-time All-Star is certain that it will bring more parity to the league.

Durant joined the Warriors in 2016 from Oklahoma City Thunder and has played a key role in helping them dominate the league. Stephen Curry and co were already considered one of the best team’s assembled and after the small forward’s arrival they have gone on to win back-to-back NBA championships and are favorites to make it three in a row in 2019.

"[That would be] great for the league," McGrady said, as quoted on Yahoo Sports. "Although I love seeing these guys play on the big stage every year, I think we just need some more parity … Kevin Durant just completely changed everything when he went there and made it not fair for the league."

"I would love for KD to spread the love around … so a team like the New York Knicks can come back in the fold and be competitive in the Eastern Conference," the former shooting guard added. "Like, how awesome would that be? KD joins another player or two and make New York exciting again."

The final decision will lie with Durant, who has to decide whether to continue with the Warriors and win championships alongside some of the best players in the division or move and help another franchise challenge for the title, which could help build a greater legacy.