NEW YORK – The New York Knicks aren’t sitting still. After firing head coach Tom Thibodeau, they’ve made it clear: changes are coming. They’re ready to reshape their roster and aim higher next season. Yes, the Kevin Durant to the Knicks buzz is real, but it started all the way back at the trade deadline.
Knicks Made Move For Kevin Durant At The Trade Deadline
The Knicks Revisited a Kevin Durant Pursuit
At the NBA trade deadline, New York didn’t just think about Durant. They picked up the phone. ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed the Knicks made a serious offer for the two-time Finals MVP.
"The Knicks made an offer for Kevin Durant at the NBA trade deadline" – Shams Charania 👀 pic.twitter.com/NxVKZNiZKo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 5, 2025
“There was mutual interest between Kevin Durant and the Knicks,” Charania said.
Durant, who averaged 26.6 points per game this past season, stayed put in Phoenix. But the Suns’ disappointing finish—11th in the West—made one thing obvious: the Durant era in the desert will soon be over.
Phoenix Suns Head Toward a Shakeup
Reports have made it clear that Phoenix plans to shop Durant this summer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst nearly guaranteed it. He didn’t hedge his words. He called a trade “inevitable.”
The Suns are looking for a shakeup too. They’re demanding help at center. That opens an intriguing door for New York.
With rumors swirling, many insiders believe the Knicks might rekindle their Kevin Durant deadline interest. They’re one of a couple of teams equipped with enough veteran pieces to pull off a deal.
Karl-Anthony Towns Could Be the Key
Enter Karl-Anthony Towns. He underperformed in the playoffs. A report in The Athletic pointed fingers at both Towns and Thibodeau after the Knicks’ conference finals loss. Thibodeau’s gone now. Towns may be next.
Devin Booker and Towns are close friends. The Suns might want to pair Booker with a big man he trusts. That move would give them interior presence and salary relief while the Knicks get their elite scorer.
Would it be enough to secure a Durant trade to the Knicks? It doesn’t seem likely with reports that the Suns have no interest in acquiring Towns. It’s unclear if the Suns want to bring back Mikal Bridges.
Why the Knicks Still Want Durant
Durant isn’t what he was in 2017, but he’s still lethal. He dropped almost 27 points per game last season, hit 52% from the field, and still draws double teams.
Adding Durant gives New York a go-to scorer who thrives in pressure situations. Brunson needs help carrying the offense. Durant could give him that help and elevate the Knicks from good to elite.
New York fell just two wins shy of the NBA Finals. One more scoring option could’ve changed that. With Thibodeau out and the East still wide open, this is the right time for bold moves.
Can New York Make It Work?
The big question: Do the Knicks have enough to make the deal happen? They already spent five first-rounders to land Bridges. That likely removes them from the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
But Durant may come cheaper than expected. The Suns want a reset, not a rebuild. Veteran talent like Bridges, OG Anunoby, or Mitchell Robinson could be part of the mix.
The Knicks would still need to make the salaries match and may include a future pick. But this is one of the most plausible paths to a Knicks-Kevin Durant trade deadline redo.
What Comes Next?
Durant’s trade watch will dominate headlines this summer. If the Knicks remain aggressive, they could land the biggest name available outside of Giannis.
They’ve already shown interest. The mutual desire was there in February. Now, with more time and shifting priorities, a deal could finally happen.
Durant in New York? It’s not just speculation anymore. It’s unfinished business.
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