NBA Rumors: Durant To Knicks In 2019? It's Likely, Lowe Says

The 2018-19 NBA season got underway Tuesday night with the Boston Celtics defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening game after which the reigning champions Golden State Warriors dispatched of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kevin Durant starred in the victory with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes as the Warriors began their title defense. Despite the season starting and the small forward’s focus on the upcoming campaign, talks about Durant potentially leaving the Bay Area team continued to circulate.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP will enter free agency yet again next summer after signing a 1+1 deal with the Warriors this summer. Durant will be an unrestricted free agent and most of the speculation points toward this being his last season with the back-to-back NBA champions.

The Los Angeles Lakers are being linked with a move with a potential union with LeBron James being touted, but the New York Knicks have emerged as the main contenders for the small forward’s signature in recent days.

According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Durant could consider leaving the Warriors next summer especially if they like many have predicted win their third straight NBA title. He believes the forward will be keen to join a team where he is the main player unlike at the Warriors, which everyone knows is “Curry’s team.”

And he believes the Knicks are the best option as he is unlikely to join James at Lakers or return to Thunder. And Lowe also suggested hatred toward Durant for his move from the Thunder to the Warriors in 2016 will continue as long as he remains in Oakland.

“He's not going back to Oklahoma City. I'd be dumbfounded if he joined LeBron. He must know the Warriors will always be Curry's team. The social media slights will never stop as long as Durant is there,” Lowe said. “People who know Durant say part of him must crave the challenge of being the undisputed alpha dog and lead ball handler — of putting up a 32-10-8 stat line. Some of those same people wonder if he is a little scared of that challenge.”

Meanwhile, according to ESPN’s Royce Young, the Warriors were never expected to be Durant’s final destination with many people close to the forward predicting that he will leave the Bay Area team at the time of his joining from Oklahoma.

“There has been swelling noise Durant could leave the Warriors next summer, with connected insiders dropping hints and close associates either backing them up, or not outright denying them,” Royce said. “And speculation goes back even further: In the days following Durant’s departure from OKC, those close to him predicted the Warriors wouldn’t be his final career stop.”

The speculation surrounding Durant’s future is likely to continue well into the new season and it is unlikely that a clear picture will emerge any time before next summer when he will actually have to make the decision on whether to leave or stay with the Warriors.