Knicks reportedly planning next offseason around Kevin Durant

The Knicks should have a ton of cap space in 2019

7/2/2018, 9:02 PM
Jun 8, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (middle) holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / David Richard
Jun 8, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (middle) holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports / David Richard

LeBron James will probably never be a Knick, but maybe Kevin Durant will.

The Knicks are planning their 2019 offseason around Durant, reports Zach Lowe of ESPN, who says New York has made Durant their target "100 percent."

Durant, 29, has a player option with the Warriors for the 2019-20 season worth $31.5 million, but it will be stunning if he doesn't opt out. And if he does, the Knicks could pounce.

The Knicks, who are planning to only give one-year deals to free agents this offseason, should have tons of cap space next offseason, when they're expected to aggressively pursue big-name talent to add to the franchise piece that is Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis may miss most or all of this coming season due to ACL surgery, but should be 100 percent by 2019-20. The Knicks also have Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox as potential draws to free agents, a likely high pick in the 2019 Draft, and new head coach David Fizdale, who helped them land Mario Hezonja and is loved by many players around the league. 

The ingredients are certainly there to make Durant and KP a reality in 2019. 


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