Kevin Durant free agency: The case for the Knicks

Kevin Durant could be entering free agency this week if he opts out, setting up what could be a wild summer for one of the NBA’s best players even after the Golden State Warriors star ruptured his Achilles in the NBA Finals earlier this year.

So we’re here to help the forward make his decision (as we did last year for LeBron James). Throughout the week, we’ll break down each of the teams — including the pros, cons, roster makeups, ownership situations and more — who could be pitching him, starting with the New York Knicks. Let’s make the case for them.

Roster situation

It’s a bare-bones, young group including 2019 No. 3 overall pick R.J. Barrett, 2018 lottery pick Kevin Knox, guards Dennis Smith, Frank Ntilikina (for now), Allonzo Trier and promising center Mitchell Robinson. In other words, there are a few building blocks … but there’s also enough cap room to sign a second max free agent.

The positives

Again: Durant can pair with another fellow free agent star in New York. That might have been what Kyrie Irving was talking about — “two max slots!” –during All-Star weekend, although who knows if the guard and Durant really are thinking about taking over Madison Square Garden together. There are also people who think Barrett is a future star, so it might not be completely on Durant (and whoever else signs) to carry the team by himself down the road. Plus, given the inexperience of the roster, if Durant needs a year to recover from the devastating injury he suffered, it’s likely he won’t miss out on contending for a ring in 2019-20.

The negatives

It’s the Knicks. Their list of franchise ineptitude in the past two decades is a long one. There are any number of ways the franchise can mess up on any given day, whether it’s a trade they’ll regret or whiffing on a must-have draft pick. So signing with the team comes along with so much baggage.

Ownership/front office

In recent years, James Dolan has banned heckling fans, accused Bill Simmons of sabotaging the franchise and had a very ugly public battle with Knicks legend Charles Oakley. That can’t exactly encourage players like Durant to want to play in New York.

That said, the front office did the job it needed to do in 2018-19: Put together a tanking roster, get a top-three draft pick and clear the decks for two max contracts in the offseason. So there’s that.

X-factors

Durant’s foot doctor who repaired his Achilles is in New York City! Seriously though: Does Durant want to leave a relatively stable situation where he’s a perennial contender for a pressure-cooker in the Big Apple, with no guarantees he’ll compete for another title? The only reason to think about donning the orange and blue is his …

Legacy

I’ve said this a million times about stars thinking about coming to the Knicks. This is a fanbase starving for a title shot. If Durant wins a ring in New York, he’ll be even more legendary than he already he is. As Jalen Rose said above, playing in New York is about winning on that stage. He’d also get a championship away from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, and I bet the reaction would be similar to the way fans gave LeBron James more respect after he won in Cleveland and not the rings from his days in South Beach.

How the Knicks should pitch him

“We’re desperate here. You can pick whoever else you want to play with and we’ll sign him. Just ignore that Dolan guy. Don’t walk away! Please! Pretty please?PLEASE!  Pleasepleaseplease!!!!!! HELLLLPPPPP!!!!!!”