Warriors News: Kevin Durant Advised To Join Knicks Over Lakers

If Kevin Durant leaves the Golden State Warriors, it should be for the New York Knicks rather than the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith. Durant is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and his future has been a regular topic of discussion since the 2018/19 NBA season began in October.

The two likeliest destinations seem to be the Lakers and the Knicks. NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson said in September the 30-year-old would join the Lakers in summer 2019 and was already planning his move there, much like how LeBron James did last season.

However, Durant was also said to be attracted to the allure of New York. Many figures close to him, like his father and business partner, are huge Knicks fans, his close friend and former teammate Royal Ivey is also the assistant coach, while the billboards are already out recruiting him.

And Smith believes he should go to the Knicks if he wants to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

“If you are ready to be that player that we’ve seen over the last two games. If you’re ready to be that dude on a night-in, night-out basis, I want Kevin Durant in New York because it would be special," Smith said on his podcast, as quoted on the Express. "But if you just want to play the right way and don’t want to be the alpha male then stay in Golden State or go to L.A."

“If Kevin Durant wins the title this year, and I think we all believe they will, Kevin Durant will be a three-time champion and I predict a thee-time NBA Finals MVP. If he pulls that off, there will be nothing left to prove in Golden State. Just continue to win and collect cheques. But if you want to really really be about the business of cementing your legacy as one of the greatest scorers and players this game has ever seen in our lifetimes and you decide to depart, the decision should be as simple as that."

The perception of Durant would certainly be more positive if he joined the Knicks. There, he would be the star man in the biggest market in the world, hoping to bring a championship back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1973.

It would also be a test to see if he could do it without the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, as his move to a Golden State side which finished the 2015/16 regular season with a 73-9 record continues to see him receive criticism even today.

If he joined the Lakers though, it would be similar to his move to Golden State as he would be paired alongside the best player in the league today in James. Helping his competitive rival win more titles would also be counterproductive to his own plans of cementing himself as the best player in the league.

Regardless, Durant is only focused on the current season for now and seems to be back in top form as his 49 points helped the Warriors to a 116-110 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday, making it three straight wins for the defending champions.