The Knicks issued a statement about potential free agent Kevin Durant appearing in a photo the team was using to promote season ticket sales for the 2019-20 season.
"Game action photos are used all the time for marketing purposes, but given everything going on, we took precaution of taking the photo down," the Knicks said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "To be clear, it was one of several rotating photos on the website."
In one of the photos the Knicks sent out via email asking people to renew their season tickets, Durant appeared in the background of a photo of Knicks rookie center Mitchell Robinson.
Knicks are asking season ticket holders for renewals by Feb 28 and using this image to get them to opt in. @IanBegley @SBondyNYDN @Schmeelk @TommyBeer pic.twitter.com/Rz3oPZnZMW
- Paul (@Paul_HQ) February 10, 2019
Durant, who can opt out of his player option with the Golden State Warriors after the season and become an unrestricted free agent, has been linked to the Knicks throughout the 2018-19 season.
Upon trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks in a blockbuster trade before the NBA trade deadline, Knicks officials were reportedly optimistic in their chances to land the former MVP should he become a free agent.
Durant, however, has ripped reporters over the media's recent coverage of him, calling it "unnecessary.
"I have nothing to do with the Knicks," Durant said. "I don't know who traded Porzingis. They got nothing to do with me. I'm trying to play basketball. Y'all come in here every day. Ask me about free agency. Ask my teammates, my coaches, you rile up the fans about it. Let us play basketball. That's all I'm saying. And now when I don't want to talk to y'all, that's a problem on me. Come on, man. Grow up. Grow up."