ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has offered up a wild theory about why the New York Knicks had a change of heart on a Kevin Durant trade. That being, owner James Dolan still holds a years old grudge against the future Hall of Famer.
Heading into the offseason, the Knicks were viewed as a serious contender for the services of the 15-time All-Star. Mainly because the organization is known for bold offseason moves, and they reportedly discussed a trade for Durant in February. However, new rumors this week suggested the organization had a recent change of heart. It seems that pivot in interest may have been guided by the team's owner for a "petty" reason.
"When you take in the history that involves Kevin Durant and how James Dolan was led to believe that KD and Kyrie Irving were on their way to the Garden. And they elected to go to Brooklyn , and then when asked about that in the months that followed [Durant] called the Knicks corny and not the happening place," Smith claimed this week on ESPN's First Take .
"What I'm saying is that residue is where you hear no interest. And you're saying this can't just be about basketball. This has to be about you feeling a bit salty if you're James Dolan. That's where that kind of statement emanates from," he added. "… This is James Dolan we're talking about, and we know how petty he can be. We know what KD was supposed to do, and ended up not happening. And we know how salty the Knicks were about that, even before Leon Rose arrived."
When Durant became a free agent in the summer of 2019, the loudest rumors suggested he would take his talents to New York . He did, but to the new team in the city, the Brooklyn Nets . Not the New York Knicks . That decision likely stung Dolan more than it should have. Because it happened nearly a decade after he was also supposed to land LeBron James in free agency in 2010.
While this theory will just add another chapter to Knicks fans' frustration with Dolan, a case could be made that it is the right decision. Durant is going to turn 37 this year and is only signed for 2025-26. The club just made the Eastern Conference Finals. They could be a different coach away from winning it all next season.
However, if the front office believes Durant could be the missing piece and Dolan is blocking the move over hurt feelings, it would be just another instance of the Knicks boss cutting off his nose to spite your face.
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