Knicks plotted against Durant deal! Two major plans are exposed, and the depth of chips becomes the key to the game

When the announcement of Thibodeau's dismissal spread throughout New York, Durant liked the Knicks East Finals highlights on social platforms - this secret signal opened the prelude to the most shocking trading storm this summer‌

Deal undercurrent: the ambiguous chess game between the Knicks and Durant‌

According to ESPN famous reporter Shams Charania, before the February 2025 transaction deadline, the Knicks had officially quoted the Suns to pursue Kevin Durant, and both management and players themselves had the willingness to cooperate. Although the deal was not immediately concluded, the source stressed that "negotiations will restart during the offseason". The core driving force behind this potential super deal is:

Suns' financial difficulties: Durant's salary is as high as 54.7 million US dollars next season, and new coach Jordan Ultra urgently needs to clear the space and reorganize the lineup;

Durant's championship anxiety: the 36-year-old veteran clearly requires joining the championship team, and the Knicks East's final record (51 wins) confirms its competitiveness;

Knicks' ambition upgrade: the withdrawal of Thibodeau sends a signal of change, and the management vows to push the lineup to the championship level. The subtlety of this game is that Durant holds the veto power of the transaction and has previously personally stopped trading negotiations with the Warriors. Its "interest endorsement" of the Knicks is actually the key to the advancement of the transaction.

Trading framework game: Towns single-for-swap combination ‌

Based on salary matching rules and team needs, the US media has analyzed two feasible plans:

Plan 1: Equivalent swap with Towns as the core‌

Knicks‌: Carl Anthony Towns (salary of 53.14 million next season)

Suns‌: Inside offensive axle + contract life guarantee (about 175 million in the remaining three years)‌

Strategic value: Towns averages 24.1 points + 9.8 rebounds per game to fill the Suns offensive firepower, and the contract structure is more suitable for Booker and Bill. But local Phoenix reporter John Gambadoro revealed: "The lack of Sun's interest in Towns was the main cause of previous transaction miscarriage."

Plan 2: Anunobi + Robinson's deep cut‌

Knicks: OG Anunobi (contract 36.5 million) + Mitchell Robinson (14.4 million) + veteran's base salary is filled with

Suns' score: Top 3D forward line + rebound beast, total salary of 50.9 million is perfectly matched with Durant's ‌

Tactical adaptation: Anunobi (top 5% of the defensive efficiency league) can make up for the Suns' wing loopholes, and Robinson's frontcourt rebounding rate (14.7%) solves the weakness in the penalty area. But this plan will hit the Knicks' defensive system hard, and the transaction cost is even more cruel.

Deep Crisis: The Knicks' Paradox of Betting ‌

If the Durant trade is launched, the Knicks may fall into the "superstar trap":

Draft picks are exhausted: Bridges has overdrawn 5 first-round picks before, and there will be no high-quality rookie supplies in the next seven years;

Rotation collapse risk: The depth of the existing lineup (Hart, Divinchenzo, etc.) may become the top deal, reappearing the weak substitute of the Suns' Big Three's;

Hidden worries about superstar adaptation: Durant + Brunson + Randle needs a lot of ball rights, and the overlap of functions is comparable to that of the Nets' Big Three.

As Shams warned: "Getting Durant means giving up depth, and the lessons of the Suns prove that the combination of giants without thickness cannot go far".

League Secret War: The Interceptor and the Emotional Card ‌

Durant’s right to intention‌

His team has revealed that “inclined to join the Timberwolves or Spurs”‌, Minnesota has the young core of four-time DPOY Gobert + Edwards, and San Antonio can provide future assets of Vinban Yama + draft picks, both of which pose a threat to the Knicks‌.

The metaphorical assist of chasing dreams‌

Durant former teammate Drummond Green bluntly stated in the podcast: "The Knicks are only one amazing player away from the championship." The hint is widely interpreted as putting pressure on management to boost Durant's trip to New York.

Suns' bottom line of stop loss‌

Phoenix revealed with the team that the team needs to finalize the deal before the draft night on June 26, otherwise Durant's age (36 years old) and injury history will significantly weaken the value.

The ultimate choice of Madison Garden‌

Seven years ago, when Durant won the FMVP trophy at the Warriors' home court, Knicks fans angrily smashed the TV in the bar; seven years later, when he might step into the garden arena in a blue and orange jersey, the New York media titled: "Savior or gravedigger?"

The cruel logic of this deal is that if the Knicks refuse to bet, they may always be trapped in the "East Final Ceiling"; if they bet on Durant, they may repeat the mistakes of the Nets' "superstar black hole". And when Durandt's Zanks video's fingertips cross the screen, the gear of fate has begun to bite - this time, his choice will define the entire city's basketball belief.