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New York Knicks Make Clear Kevin Durant Trade Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 6:04 PM ET

The New York Knicks head into the offseason with relative uncertainty, despite having one of their best seasons in recent memory. For the first time in 25 years, the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and were even favored to make the NBA Finals after defeating their rival and the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Instead, it was just another chapter in their iconic rivalry against the Indiana Pacers. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton hit an iconic shot where the ball hit the back of the rim, bounced straight into the air, and came down for what he thought was the game-winning shot, and he replicated Reggie Miller's choke sign to the stunned Madison Square Garden crowd.

New York Knicks make clear Kevin Durant trade decision

One name that has repeatedly surfaced as a Knicks possibility is Kevin Durant. The Suns are likely looking to trade him after their calamity of a season in which they missed the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in the history of the NBA.

However, according to Marc Stein, the Knicks are out on Durant, despite the Knicks being one of his preferred destinations.

"New York made it clear that it's decided against pursuing a trade for him," Stein wrote.

Kevin Durant’s list of preferred teams to get traded to would have included the Knicks except “New York made it clear that it’s decided against pursuing a trade for” him, according to Marc Stein @TheSteinLine

More at https://t.co/zFYi0mMqdK pic.twitter.com/kJqkwaeG0s
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 15, 2025

The Knicks were quick to make changes, as they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau just days following their elimination. If the Knicks were willing to cut ties with their head coach of five years after leading them to their most successful season in a quarter of a century, it's possible more moves could be coming.

While it may not be for Durant, as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are capable at the position, the Knicks could look to make one more move, perhaps for a role player to help put them over the top and not rely on their starters as much.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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