Why a Kevin Durant deal to Knicks makes sense

After reports circulated Sunday of the Kyrie Irving-to-Dallas deal, much of the basketball world wondered if superstar Kevin Durant could be dealt next.

Durant requested a trade from Brooklyn last summer but backed off, in part, because Irving opted into his player option for the 2022-23 season. Now that Irving is gone, it seems Durant could follow him out of Brooklyn. 

Only a few teams can give the Nets the value they would be looking for in a Durant trade. The team that can offer the best package also happens to play in New York — the Knicks.

If the Nets trade Durant, the franchise will close its championship window and must rebuild. A rebuilding franchise seeks two things in return when trading a veteran star: first-round picks and young players.

Over the next seven seasons, the Knicks have 11 first-round picks, four of which could convey in 2023 and nine second-round picks, per Sports Illustrated. In addition to the draft picks, the Knicks have young players Brooklyn may be interested in.

Ascending guards Quentin Grimes, Deuce McBride and Immanuel Quickley could be targeted by Brooklyn in a trade. So could forwards RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Cam Reddish or centers Jericho Sims and Mitchell Robinson. 

All eight are 24 or under and on relatively team-friendly deals.

To facilitate a trade for Durant, veterans with large salaries are needed. The Knicks have two vets to deal: Derrick Rose, who will earn $13.45 million this season, and Evan Fournier ($17.1 million).

Durant has three years and $152 million left on his contract. 

If Durant requests a trade, the Nets would still have most of the leverage due to the length of his contract. Durant is undeniably one of the faces of the NBA, so there is no reason for the Nets to take pennies on the dollars, especially with three years of control left.

For Durant, the Knicks could deal Quickley, Grimes, Toppin, Fournier, Rose, three first-round picks and two second-round picks to the Nets.

The Knicks are desperate to get a superstar and become a legit title contender. In this potential Durant trade, the Nets would receive enough ammo to rebuild their roster quickly and become a contender.

Let's make a deal.