The New York Knicks have been one of several teams that have shown an interest in Kevin Durant this offseason. After being eliminated from the playoffs in the ECF, the Knicks have kicked off a massive personnel overhaul. With many roster moves also underway, New York is expected to make a big move to sign the Suns forward.
However, acquiring Durant will be a bit of a challenge. At $54.7 million, the forward is set to have a massive cap hit regardless of which team he lands on. Given the Knicks’ current salary cap situation, it is evident that they would need to shed a lot of salary.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have indicated that any package for Durant will demand significant compensation. Given the lack of developments, however, it is clear that the Suns have reduced their list of demands. Regardless, it will still be a challenge for the Knicks to facilitate this trade without giving away the farm.
Hence, we introduce a third team to help facilitate this move. And in this particular scenario, we will take a look at a potential trade proposal with the Los Angeles Lakers acting as the third team.
Proposed Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Kevin Durant
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: OG Anunoby, 2026 first-round pick (WAS)
Phoenix Suns Receive: Josh Hart, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent
This trade features a lot of movement to help the teams shed enough cap space to acquire the right pieces. Let’s look at what the impact of this trade is on each team.
Kevin Durant Completes The Knicks’ Big 3
The arrival of Kevin Durant would signal a new era in New York – a new Big Three. Featuring Durant, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks could boast one of the most potent starting rotations in the NBA.
Even at 36 years old, Durant is a lethal offensive player. His averages of 26.6 points on 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc are an indication of how effective he is even late in his career.
Pairing Durant with one of the best shooting big men in the league is almost unfair. With Karl-Anthony Towns putting up averages of 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, the Knicks could see an invigorated version of their frontcourt with Durant slotting in at the SF position.
The backlash Towns has received for his poor defensive effort will be a point of concern. Although Durant isn’t the best defender at his age, he remains a solid presence, potentially aiding the Knicks’ big man in defensive sets.
The potent combination of Towns and Durant only becomes more relevant with Jalen Brunson running the show. Brunson may be a ball-dominant player, but his ability to facilitate is beyond question. With Durant available as an outlet, the Knicks could feature a much more fluid offense compared to their current style.
The Knicks are undergoing some major changes. With a new head coach on the way, the team could undergo stylistic changes, too. Should Durant join the team, it would be clear that the offense would be centered around him and Brunson getting the best possible looks.
The Lakers Address Their Wing Issue
The Lakers have been one of the most active teams in the offseason. While their primary concerns have been related to their depleted big man rotation, the organization has also identified the need for a reliable wing.
While the team has had the benefit of boasting wing depth with the likes of players such as Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jarred Vanderbilt, these have been primarily defensive players. The acquisition of OG Anunoby gives a completely different look to the team, allowing them to explore more variations.
Anunoby was one of New York’s key contributors last season. Stepping in as the third option behind Brunson and Towns, the forward recorded an average of 18.0 points and 4.8 rebounds on respectable shooting splits of 47.6% from the field and 37.2% beyond the arc.
The 27-year-old is still on the verge of his prime, fitting the timeline for Lakers star Luka Doncic. And as a gifted two-way player, he displays a lot of promise as a third or fourth option next to Doncic and James.
Additionally, the Lakers also see some much-needed draft capital on the way in this trade proposal. The 2026 first-round pick from Washington could be a protected top 10 pick, which could still be vital for the Lakers next season, should James choose to retire.
The Suns Acquire Significant Veteran Depth
The Suns’ plans for the offseason have been to retool around the star guard Devin Booker. While a trade for Kevin Durant would deplete the team of star power, it would bring in a lot of necessary roster depth to help the team remain competitive.
The addition of Josh Hart might be the most significant part of this deal. Hart has undoubtedly been the engine for New York’s success. His stubborn defensive work and unyielding hustle have secured wins for the Knicks in extremely unlikely situations.
Hart’s averages of 13.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game are only a snapshot of his true value. With the Suns looking to add high-character players to revive the team, the Knicks forward would be the ideal addition.
From the Lakers’ side, the Suns acquire solid veterans in Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent, and an interesting prospect in Dalton Knecht.
Hachimura is an established veteran forward with two-way upside. His ability to shoot the long ball and score easy buckets in the midrange makes him an incredible asset to have on a team that would be severely lacking in post presence.
The Lakers forward put up an average of 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds last season. Playing in a different capacity, the Suns could see more production out of him.
Similarly, Gabe Vincent could also be a key addition to Phoenix’s bench rotation. Vincent displayed his capability of being a perimeter threat as well as an on-ball defender at the top of the key. Although his averages were underwhelming, he would provide necessary depth to the team’s bench.
Knecht would prove to be an interesting piece on the Suns team. As a rookie, Knecht displayed a high ceiling for developing into a legitimate perimeter threat. Having shot 37.6% from beyond the arc, the 24-year-old still has a lot of room to grow, but the Suns could reap the benefits of this if they choose to cultivate his talent.
Every Team Wins
It’s a rare situation when a trade proposal has potential benefits for every party involved. In this scenario, the Knicks complete their big three and become a powerhouse in the East – a win. The Lakers address their frontcourt depth and jettison some contracts to create space for signing more talent – a win.
Meanwhile, the Suns add an inspiring forward who could become the life force of the team, along with a key young player whose development could revitalize their bench. The veterans may also be of use, but as expiring contracts, the Suns could simply look to shed salary next season to continue their project. In many ways, also a win.
In every sense, barring injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, each team could look to move forward with their offseason plans with this trade.
