Odds Say It’s Unlikely Kevin Durant Signs with Knicks

• Durant is enjoying continued success in third season with Golden State
• The two-time NBA champion can opt out of the final year of his contract, and test free agency this summer
• Attractive odds favor Durant returning to the Warriors next season

The guessing game over which NBA team Kevin Durant will play for next season continues in earnest.

The New York Knicks continue to be mentioned as a potential destination, but despite the team’s bold moves to free up salary cap room by unloading Kristaps Porzingis, the two-time NBA champion is currently not expected to take his services to the Big Apple. Sportsbooks favor Durant not signing with the Knicks, giving short -210 odds.

Odds Durant Signs with the Knicks for the 2019-20 Season

Durant is enjoying yet another outstanding campaign during his third year with the Golden State Warriors. The 11-year veteran sits among the NBA’s offensive leaders, scoring an average of 27.6 points per game entering the month of February, and has played a key role in the Warriors’ continued dominance atop the NBA championship odds, where they remain massive -200 favorites to win a third straight NBA title.

Odds on Which Team Kevin Durant Will Sign with for the 2019-20 Season

While Durant is currently signed to a two-year deal with the Warriors that is paying him a handsome $30 million this season, he is eligible to opt out of the deal, and sign elsewhere as a free agent this summer, with the Los Angeles Lakers emerging as the favorite to be Durant’s next destination, sporting +175 odds on the NBA specials at some sportsbooks.

A move to Los Angeles would unite Durant with superstar LeBron James, who relocated to the West Coast last summer after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to four straight trips in the NBA Finals.

List of players Media claimed were going to go to the Lakers

Russell Westbrook
Kawhi Leonard
Jimmy Butler
Demar Derozan
Paul George
Klay Thompson
Kevin Durant
Kyrie Irving
Anthony Davis

Not sure they’ll be able to all co excuse there tbh

— Corey B (@CoreyB08) January 29, 2019

James’ arrival has contributed to a reversal of fortune for the Lakers, who posted losing records in each of the past five seasons, but find themselves entering the final third of the schedule in a close battle for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

With the Lakers regularly discussed as the preferred destination for superstars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, it is far from a slam dunk that they could afford, or even be interested in bringing Durant on board.

However, with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram both scheduled to receive pay increases next season, and the Lakers regularly discussed as the preferred destination for superstars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, it is far from a slam dunk that Los Angeles could afford, or even be interested in bringing Durant on board.

Knicks Poised to Make Free Agent Splash after Dealing Porzingis

Conversely, the Knicks are on track to have sufficient cap space to make a massive free agent splash this summer. New York raised eyebrows earlier this week by moving budding star Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven-player deal.

Blockbuster Kristaps Porzingis trade: Knicks supposedly clearing cap room to chase Kevin Durant? https://t.co/6SFAtNRprg pic.twitter.com/U52BZVyZAp

— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) January 31, 2019

The Knicks shipped out Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee and their millstone contracts as part of the swap, while restocking the shelf with a pair of first-round draft picks.

But while the Knicks have clearly positioned themselves to compete for the growing number of superstars who are candidates to change teams in the months ahead, including Davis, Irving, and Kawhi Leonard, it is unclear whether Durant would be a good fit in New York over the short term.

New York Faces Long Road Back to Respectability

With just 10 wins through the first 50 contests of what is destined to be a sixth straight losing season, the Knicks have a mountain to climb in their bid to return to respectability. The addition of Durant and another big-ticket superstar would certainly push New York back in that direction.

Knicks, at the halfway point of this season, have a long way to go in rebuild https://t.co/3x9mFleMYs via @Newsday

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) January 10, 2019

However, it remains to be seen whether general manager Scott Perry has the ability to assemble the supporting cast necessary for the Knicks to quickly compete with Eastern Conference powerhouses like the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks.

Warriors Provide the Most Value on the Durant Odds

And with Durant set to turn 31 prior to the start of next season, it is tough to see him starting the downside of his career by leaping from the NBA’s “Team of the Decade” to what is currently the worst team in the Association.

Kevin Durant explained why he may retire at 35 years old https://t.co/m5ayS4qw3f pic.twitter.com/IHHZXeyEuG

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) June 12, 2018

Consequently, the best value can likely be found in a bet on Durant to return to the Warriors for at least one more season, which pays out with attractive +180 odds.