Why Didn't Kevin Durant Sign With Knicks in 2019?
In the summer of 2019, there was this extremely optimistic, yet somewhat realistic, belief that the New York Knicks would receive the first overall pick in the NBA Draft and select Zion Williamson. Others believed that they'd then sign future Hall-of-Famers Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, creating a potential dynasty headlined by that lauded trio.
Obviously, none of that happened: Williamson went first overall to the New Orleans Pelicans after the Knicks fell to third at the draft lottery (getting RJ Barrett as a consolation prize) while Durant and Irving went to the Brooklyn Nets. Though each has dealt with injuries and other issues ... Durant and Irvin have already moved on from Brooklyn while Williamson could well be traded next ... some can't help but imagine what might've been.
ESPN NBA reporter Marc J. Spears told "NBA Today" that Durant's drama with the Nets wouldn't have happened if he signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2019. However, he explained one reason why Durant never joined Knicks was their inability to win.
"I think it would have done wonders for him and his career and the spotlight in New York," Spears said. "But that weight of 50 years and not having won a championship, dealing with the back pages and all that, I think it has scared New York from getting that marquee guy, that is a top 15 jersey seller kind of guy and perennial All-Star."
Spears is far from the first analyst to point out the trend of superstars rejecting New York despite the Knicks' apparent interest. "First Things First" co-host and Fox Sports NBA insider Chris Broussard said earlier this month that he is not buying the Joel Embiid to the Knicks rumors, the most recent star to reportedly land on the Knicks' radar.
"This is typical Knicks," Broussard said. "They are always trying to pilfer another team's star. (It's been) LeBron (James), Zion (Williamson), Donovan Mitchell, and now it's Embiid".
Broussard said that the Knicks have been trying to trade for/sign superstars for decades, even if the players in question want no part of it.
"Before (James, Mitchell, Williamson, and Embiid), it was Chris Webber and Grant Hill," Broussard said. "How about (you) do what other teams do and build your own team. Stop thinking every star free agent wants to play for the Knicks because they don't!".
The Knicks have the location and assets a NBA superstar dreams about. However, until they prove they are a championship level team, they won't be able to sign any of those players.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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