While most of the NBA world is focused on what Kevin Durant will be doing on the court Tuesday night when the Warriors face the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, the whispers about his looming free agency haven't died down.
Durant has the option to opt out of his current contract this summer and become a free agent, a decision almost everyone expects him to make. Should the two-time NBA Finals MVP elect to leave the Dubs, most expect him to pack his bags for the Big Apple and join the New York Knicks.
The Knicks, who have been an unmitigated disaster for the majority of the last 20 years, don't appear to have a lot to offer Durant in terms of on-court talent. There have been whispers that Kyrie Irving, one of Durant's best friends, could also sign with the Knicks in free agency, but that seems like more of a fantasy than a real possibility at this point.
Durant reportedly would like the opportunity to change the narrative surrounding his career and his decision to sign with the Warriors in 2016, which could lead him to join a Knicks team that hasn't won in eons and is bereft of on-court talent. But other than that, the Knicks don't appear to have a ton to offer.
Nevertheless, the Knicks' brass has appeared confident they can land a marquee star, and Durant tops their list. But they won't hang their hopes of landing Durant on a gut feeling alone.
The ratings for MSG Network reportedly were down this past season as New York tanked straight to the bottom of the NBA, and the Knicks reportedly could offer Durant the opportunity to host his own TV show on MSG Network if he signs with them, The New York Post's Marc Berman reported Monday, citing industry insiders.
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If the Knicks are unable to land Irving to pair with Durant, they just might have to sweeten the pot with a TV show in order for the 30-year-old star to leave the Bay Area to play alongside Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and potentially Zion Williamson. That doesn't exactly scream title-contending roster.
For now, Durant and the Warriors must focus on dispatching James Harden and the Rockets en route to their third straight NBA championship.
Once the confetti has fallen -- either on the Warriors or someone else -- the race for Durant will truly begin.
