The NBA offseason rumor mill has kicked into high gear with Kevin Durant emerging as the most coveted name in trade speculation.
Analysts across the league have begun mapping out potential landing spots for the superstar forward.
Stephen A. Smith has made no secret of his desire to see Durant donning a New York Knicks uniform next season.
During a recent segment on ESPN’s First Take, Smith revealed his top five potential destinations for the Phoenix Suns star, placing the Knicks at the summit of his list.
“I don’t know, but I’m very certain about that. Either way you slice it, KD, d*** it, you’re a** should have been in New York to begin with! You should have never gone to Brooklyn,” Smith declared, ranking them ahead of the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Miami Heat.
.@stephenasmith gives us his top five destinations for KD and Giannis this offseason 🗣️ 🔥
You'll never guess who's number one on both lists 👀 pic.twitter.com/TJKyFCKbw4
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 9, 2025
The pursuit of Durant could reshape the Eastern Conference landscape entirely.
Should the New York Knicks successfully orchestrate a deal for the former MVP, Mikal Bridges would likely become the centerpiece of any trade package heading to Phoenix.
This development carries significant irony considering the Knicks surrendered five first-round picks just last season to acquire Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers exposed a harsh reality about this current roster construction.
Despite their competitive spirit, the Knicks lack the elite talent necessary to compete for championship hardware.
Pairing Jalen Brunson with a superstar caliber player like Durant would immediately vault the Knicks into legitimate title contention within the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
Smith has expressed similar enthusiasm about potentially acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, even suggesting the organization should consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns to facilitate such a move.
However, the Greek Freak remains firmly planted in Milwaukee without any formal trade request materializing.
Durant represents a more realistic target, with mounting speculation suggesting his Phoenix tenure could conclude before next season begins.
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