With cap space for two max contracts, the Knicks will try to land two of the six Special K’s on the free-agency market: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson and Khris Middleton. They’re all in Charlotte for All-Star Weekend, and likely to face those kinds of questions during Saturday’s media availability.
Kevin Durant
The Warriors superstar had every chance during his recent rant against New York media speculation to say he’d like to retire with Golden State — or can’t wait to play in San Francisco next season to extend this special dynasty. He didn’t come close to saying that. Plenty of connections bind him to New York with his mover-and-shaker agent, Rich Kleiman, a proud New Yorker and diehard Knicks fan who has a relationship with president Steve Mills. Would Kleiman be named director of player personnel? Durant’s father is a lifelong Knicks fan.
Knicks assistant Royal Ivey is tight with Durant, as are rookie Allonzo Trier (who played high school ball in Oklahoma City) and newcomer DeAndre Jordan. Reviving the Knicks from the dead is appealing, but so will be competing with LeBron James in the Los Angeles market and making the Clippers the better watch. The Clippers are close to opening up space for two max deals, which could derail the Knicks.
Kyrie Irving
Another knee issue may knock Irving out of the All-Star Game — though he was healthy enough to coach the U.S. team in the Rising Stars Challenge — and perhaps the Celtics wonder if younger point guard Terry Rozier and Anthony Davis might be the better and more durable long-term solution. Irving and Gordon Hayward haven’t meshed as well as expected Even when he was verbally committed to Boston, the West Orange, N.J., native admitted he has had his eye on New York. Earlier this month, Irving backed off his done-deal rhetoric and the “We Want Kyrie” Garden chants had to help the cause.
Kawhi Leonard
The new Raptor admitted during his recent Garden visit that he’ll talk to a lot of people during free agency and saluted the Garden fans for still showing up to watch a wreck. Leonard’s uncle is from New Jersey, where he spent time rehabbing last season, getting acquainted with the area. But he’s a Southern California product and the Clippers should win out.
Kemba Walker
He’s the host of All-Star Weekend as he makes his second appearance in the main event. The Knicks have home-field advantage in the Walker race, but he genuinely seems to like the slower Southern pace and stability. Plus he can make more money under cap rules by re-signing the Hornets. With Dennis Smith Jr. aboard, Walker also might feel his hometown Knicks no longer have a crying point-guard need. But it would be a fairy tale for the Bronx native to come home.
Klay Thompson
The surreal-shooting Splash Brother has said often what Durant won’t say — he would like to remain with the Warriors long term, even retire with the franchise. Thompson has a funky personality that would do well in New York and the best shooting touch in the NBA. The Knicks have no shooting guard to speak of, and if the Warriors unexpectedly implode, maybe he’d think about joining KD in the Big Apple. But it doesn’t sound like it. “Playing for one team your whole career is definitely special,” Thompson said. “Hopefully it all works out.”
Khris Middleton
The unsung Special K is making his first All-Star appearance as the caddie to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Middleton may or may not be considered a max guy. But he’s certainly intriguing, averaging 17 points and shooting 38 percent from 3-point range — a poor man’s Thompson. However, Middleton, from Charleston, S.C., said recently about the league-best Bucks, “Why give up something that’s been working.”