How Knicks Can Get Durant, Kyrie, Davis And Make Zion Williamson Happy

The New York Knicks are preparing for a summer of major change as they begin building a team that can contend for the post-season playoffs after finishing the 2018-19 campaign as the worst team in the NBA. They are looking to add players via free agency and trades and are hoping to attract some big names using their league high $74 million in max salary cap space.

The Knicks management indicated during the exit interviews and in a letter to the season ticket holders that they are expecting a big summer but will not spend just for the sake of it. They want to sign players invested in the team and their process of getting back the glory years.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving of the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics respectively are said to be top of their wish list this summer and multiple NBA insiders are claiming that the deal to sign both of them is all but done. Both the players have said any decision will be revealed once the offseason begins on July 1 but there seems to be a unanimous consensus about them moving to New York in the summer.

Durant is currently sidelined with a right calf strain as the Warriors look to overcome Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals. The small forward is expected to return either for this series or certainly if they make the NBA Finals as the Warriors seek their third straight championship.

He will enter free agency this summer and many are expecting he will look for a new challenge whether he claims a third title or not. New York is said to be his preferred destination and Durant has also spoken to Irving about teaming up with the Celtics point guard in Madison Square Garden next season.

Apart from the free agency moves, the Knicks were also looking at the trade market and head coach David Fizdale had indicated that they were willing to trade their potential No.1 pick in this year NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans to sign Anthony Davis, who has made it clear that he wants out this summer.

The New York franchise were pretty certain about winning the Draft Lottery after being given a 14 percent chance going into Tuesday’s lottery. However, in a surprising turn around, it was the Pelicans, who came in with a six percent chance, that won the lottery and No.1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Duke University’s Zion Williamson – the country’s top prospect – is expected to be the No.1 pick but many are claiming that the player had his heart set on joining the Knicks. And the Knicks had plans to potentially trade him to sign Davis but they have to now settle for the No.3 pick in the draft.

However, NBA expert Colin Cowherd thinks there could still be a way for the Knicks to get to the front of the queue for in the Davis trade sweepstakes. Memphis Grizzlies, who have the No.2 pick are expected to pick Murray State point guard Ja Morant and the No.3 pick is expected to be Duke shooting guard RJ Barrett – the trio is by far the best players in the 2019 NBA Draft class.

The Lakers, who have the No.4 pick are almost certain to explore a trade option for Davis in the summer, but the Pelicans are said to be reluctant to deal with the Los Angeles franchise. And Cowherd feels trading for Knicks’ potential No.3 pick Barrett and other first round picks will be the best way forward for the Pelicans.

Williamson’s stepfather said they are proud to be joining the Pelicans, dismissing any notion that the top prospect will pull out of the draft and return to Duke for another year. And Cowherd believes having his best friend and brother from college alongside him in New Orleans will certainly ease the pressure on the forward in his first season in the NBA.