Kevin Durant at the heart of NBA’s rumor season

New York is a basketball mecca in hibernation. Essential components are in place — passionate fans, championship memories, the fabled Madison Square Garden — but those annoying Knicks keep trashing the place.

Kevin Durant could help change all that. When the Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas on Thursday, they were able to clear cap space for two maximum-salary free agents, and Durant’s name raced across the landscape of social media.

Because Knicks fans are allowed to dream, they imagine Durant teaming with Kyrie Irving, who grew up in New Jersey and followed this team in his youth. Perhaps Kawhi Leonard would partner with Durant, or Kemba Walker, or Jimmy Butler.