Knicks Loss, A Nets Gain? Not Necessarily (7.8.2019)
On June 30th 2019, the free agency period arrived and one of the best free agency classes were on the market and ready to sign long-term deals. This class of free agents included Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. ESPN’s Jalen Rose called them “the four Ks” and every team looking for a pair of superstars would be in pursuit trying to sign them. As the NBA season rolled along, many rumors began to swirl as usual. The first pair of rumors was there was ‘friction’ in the Warriors locker room after the on court argument between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, and many Warriors players believed he was on his way out. But where would Kevin Durant sign to if not stay with Golden State? That is when the second wave of rumors began to swirl that Kevin Durant was on his way to the Big Apple. What made New Yorkers even happier was that he was planning on bringing Kyrie Irving with him and become a juggernaut in the east. These rumors were present all year long and it looked like it was certain. Fast forward to the NBA finals, Kevin Durant’s impact is felt as he returns in game 5 from a calf injury and scored 11 points in the first quarter before tearing his achilles, and Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors end up winning the NBA finals in game 6. Now as a free agent, Kevin Durant still ends up going to New York, but in Brooklyn instead Manhattan, and he still ends up bringing Kyrie Irving with him. With Kawhi Leonard choosing to go home to Los Angeles and sign with the Clippers, Jimmy Butler forcing his way to Miami and Klay Thompson content in Golden State, the New York Knicks end up the joke of the summer. Eight months ago, Knicks fans were hoping for Zion Williamson via the draft, and Kevin and Kyrie via free agency. But all Knicks fans are left with now are Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and no Kristaps Porzingis. But that isn't a bad thing, and here's why.
Kevin Durant is 30-years-old with a torn achilles, and it’s likely that the next time Kevin Durant sees NBA action he will be 32-years-old. Not many players come back from an achilles injury and return the same player. In comparison, even though Kobe Bryant was 34-years-old at the time, Kobe Bryant was never the same player and lasted just three more years before retiring. The only notable player to come close to the player they were before the injury was Dominique Wilkins, and luckily he was near Kevin Durant’s age. The Knicks decided against offering Kevin Durant the max after the injury in fear that he would not be the same. The Knicks also were reluctant to call the Pelicans in pursuit of Anthony Davis due to not wanting to give up so many assets like they did to get Carmelo Anthony in 2011. Although, it was heavily criticized the decision to not offer the max to Kevin Durant was smart. No offense to Carmelo Anthony, but the Knicks don't need another Carmelo Anthony. If Kevin Durant were to sign with the Knicks and he ends up as a shell of himself then it would still be a loss for the Knicks. The Knicks need an MVP caliber player entering or in his prime. With the injury that Kevin Durant endured in the finals, it’s very likely that his prime is now on the back end, and if that’s true Kevin Durant won't be the best player on the team. If that is true, the bright side is that Kyrie Irving still only 27-years-old still entering his prime. But is Kyrie being the best player enough for a championship? Has Kyrie being the best player been enough to get a team to the conference finals? But even if Kyrie does become a better leader for a team, the East is no longer a cake-walk. The Greek Freak won MVP last season and he is highly motivated to win. The Celtics have added Kemba Walker, and I’m sure they have something to prove also after last year, and even though they’ve lost Jimmy Butler the Sixers still have Tobias Harris and have even gain talent thanks to the Butler trade.
In Conclusion, the Brooklyn Nets possibility of winning a championship is that, possible. But it seems slim thanks to the growth of the east, Kevin Durant’s injury in the longterm and the two teams in Los Angeles acquiring Paul George and Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis in yellow and gold to play alongside LeBron James. In two years, how much of Nets gain will it really be?
-Joshua Freeman