Report: Phil Jackson told Derrick Rose the Knicks will pursue Kevin Durant
Good luck with that
By
Matt Moore
•
1 min read
Phil Jackson is a hard man to figure out, but apparently he has one desire that's pretty common. He, too, wants Kevin Durant to play for his team by signing with the Knicks in free agency this summer. That's the plan that he told Derrick Rose after the Knicks traded for the former MVP Wednesday, according to the New York Daily News:
But Phil Jackson believes that by acquiring the former MVP point guard for one starter, a rookie and a veteran with an expiring contract the Knicks enhanced their bid to land the biggest free agent on the market, Kevin Durant.According to a source, Jackson told Rose of his plan to pursue Durant starting on July 1st. That in of itself may be the worst-kept secret in the NBA, along with the notion that Golden State, San Antonio, Miami and both Los Angeles clubs are also planning to recruit Durant.
Source: Phil Jackson hoping Rose helps Knicks land Durant - NY Daily News.
Some thoughts:
- You never want to count out anything. The NBA is unpredictable and you never know what might be going on in Durant's head. The Knicks offer a star-studded roster, a big market, and the lure of playing in the Eastern Conference with an easier route to the Finals.
- That said:
- The Knicks have Rose, but Rose is a shell of the player he was when he won MVP. Carmelo Anthony is facing the back side of his prime. And Kristaps Porzingis is still brutally young.
- Where would Durant play? Melo at small forward, Durant at power forward? The reverse? Porzingis at center? It's a smallball delight, but it's not comfortable and faces tough lineup choices.
- How do you share the ball between Rose, Melo, and Durant?
- These are all questions they can answer and figure out if they get Durant, but they're also reasons to doubt Durant will head to New York... especially since the Knicks have been terrible for about as long as possible.
