{"id":143258,"date":"2025-06-03T11:15:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=143258"},"modified":"2025-06-03T11:15:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:15:27","slug":"knicks-durant-trade-buzz-builds-around-landmark-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/03\/knicks-durant-trade-buzz-builds-around-landmark-search\/","title":{"rendered":"Knicks-Durant Trade Buzz Builds Around Landmark Search"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>NEW YORK<\/strong> &#8211; The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/knicks\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Knicks<\/a> came one step closer to the NBA Finals this season. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The team lost to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/pacers\/\" target=\"_self\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> in seven games, despite battling through several key injuries. Even with the loss, their steady progress can\u2019t be ignored. They missed the playoffs four years ago. Then came back to reach the second round in both 2023 and 2024. This year, they made it one round further. Still, the mood around the team isn&#8217;t celebratory. Many inside the organization believe they let an opportunity slip. With Boston&#8217;s <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jayson Tatum<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/13\/celtics-rebuild-after-jayson-tatum-injury\/\" target=\"_self\">expected to miss extended time<\/a> next season, the Eastern Conference feels wide open. The Knicks know the time to strike is now.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Knicks-Durant Trade Buzz Builds Around Landmark Search<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Rumors Heat Up Around Durant and Knicks<\/h3>\n<p>Early Tuesday, reports surfaced that the Knicks are on the hunt for a &#8220;landmark&#8221; player. This Knicks landmark search is fueling speculation that a major trade could be on the horizon.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">REPORT: The Knicks could make changes this offseason by targeting a \u201clandmark\u201d player, per <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ShamsCharania<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#39;m told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to evaluate everything from the roster, different changes they could make around everything, but especially the\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/D2mT3hKVX7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/D2mT3hKVX7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LegionHoops\/status\/1929716081402564735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Kevin O\u2019Connor added fuel to the fire on X. He floated the idea of a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/townska01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> for <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a> swap. His post read simply: <em>&#8220;KAT for KD? I like it for the Knicks.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">KAT for KD? I like it for the Knicks. <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CPTheFanchise?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@CPTheFanchise<\/a> does not. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6fhqBiShDx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/6fhqBiShDx<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xacLtnGhSJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xacLtnGhSJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KevinOConnorNBA\/status\/1929635298524516807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s just speculation for now, the idea fits the Knicks\u2019 current ambitions. Durant remains one of the most dynamic scorers in basketball. He\u2019s a veteran with championship experience, and his presence would immediately raise expectations in New York.<\/p>\n<h3>Durant vs. Towns: High Risk, High Reward?<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_143267\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-143267\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-143267\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Karl-Anthony Towns has been floated in a Knicks trade for Kevin Durant by NBA insider, Kevin O\u2019Connor \" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26344482_168415934_lowres.jpg 1609w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-143267\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) in the second quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The trade idea sparks strong opinions on both sides. Durant, at 36, clearly has fewer years left than the 29-year-old Towns. However, the 15-time All-Star remains productive. He averaged 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists on nearly 50\/40\/90 shooting splits last season.<\/p>\n<p>Towns wasn\u2019t far behind. He posted 24 points, nearly 13 rebounds, and three assists, also on elite efficiency. He made the All-NBA second team and helped New York grab the third seed in the West.<\/p>\n<p>Durant\u2019s team didn\u2019t even make the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n<p>That said, Durant\u2019s ability to create shots in isolation remains elite. He\u2019s a better clutch scorer than Towns. But his injury history poses a real risk. If the Knicks make this move, they\u2019ll be going all-in for a short window.<\/p>\n<p>And that goal of a championship? It might hinge on Durant staying healthy. Yes, the Knicks will get their &#8216;landmark&#8217; player but at what cost?<\/p>\n<h3>Booker-Towns Connection Adds Another Layer<\/h3>\n<p>The possibility of a Durant trade could unlock another path. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bookede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin Booker<\/a> and Towns have <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/news\/nba\/dangelo-russell-devin-booker-and-karl-anthony-towns\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">long spoken<\/a> of playing together. That dream has never felt realistic\u2014until now.<\/p>\n<p>If the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/suns\/\" target=\"_self\">Suns<\/a> and Knicks see mutual benefit, a trade might form. Towns could head to Phoenix to join Booker, while Durant comes to New York as the proverbial last piece of the title puzzle.<\/p>\n<p>From the Knicks&#8217; side, they also have options. They could pivot from chasing a single star to improving their depth. Or they could package <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bridgmi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikal Bridges<\/a> in a different deal. But if they stick with the Knicks landmark mindset, Durant could be their guy.<\/p>\n<h3>Knicks&#8217; Landmark Player Search Could Lead to Kevin Durant<\/h3>\n<p>The Knicks have made consistent progress. But with the Eastern Conference now more open than ever, they seem ready for a bolder move.<\/p>\n<p>Trading for Durant would be risky. But it could also be the type of swing that finally breaks the team\u2019s title drought since 1973.<\/p>\n<p>As the Knicks search for a landmark player continues, all eyes will be on what direction the front office takes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><label>Credit: <\/label>\u00a9 Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEW YORK &#8211; The New York Knicks came one step closer to the NBA Finals this season. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The team lost to the Indiana Pacers in seven games, despite battling through several key injuries. Even with the loss, their steady progress can\u2019t be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":143269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,12,3,4721],"tags":[352,213,69,49566],"class_list":["post-143258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-knicks","category-news","category-trade-rumors","tag-devin-booker","tag-karl-anthony-towns","tag-kevin-durant","tag-kevin-oconnor"],"modified_by":"Frederick Okocha","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143258"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143272,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143258\/revisions\/143272"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}