Nets’ rival was also trying to trade for Kevin Durant?

Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Pheonix Suns acquired Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in a midnight deal at the NBA’s trade deadline. It was widely believed they were the only team with a legitimate chance to land K.D., but that didn’t stop other teams from trying.

In a series of recent podcasts, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons suggests that the New York Knicks, one of Brooklyn’s chief rivals, also made a push to acquire Durant.

“I think the Knicks were the other team in this K.D. thing,” said Simmons, as transcribed by Real GM. “It’s unclear to me whether they were an actual, real pursuer… Or, I know the Knicks were the other team. It’s unclear to me if they were a real pursuer, or if they were trying to jack up the price for K.D. with the Suns kind of hoping maybe Booker down the road.

“I think the Booker Knicks thing… just way down the road. He’s not a free agent until 2028, but if this turns into a situation where they have their run for three years and then it’s a rebuild and Devin Booker is like ‘Alright, well we had our run, we won our title, whatever.'”

Simmons added that the Knicks would have likely offered up RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and a slew of draft picks for Durant.

“I do think the Knicks were involved,” Simmons reiterated.

Durant has been linked to the Knicks in the past but nothing ever materialized. It is also believed that he preferred the Suns this time around and ultimately got his wish.