“The hoop is going to be off the charts in the Garden” – Markieff Morris wants the New York Knicks to do whatever it takes to acquire Kevin Durant originally appeared on Basketball Network.
With the New York Knicks reportedly trying to acquire Kevin Durant before the end of the 2025 trade deadline, a heartbreaking exit to their 2024-25 campaign could once again push the front office to go all-in, this time for the 15-time All-Star.
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While one may argue that too many stars on one roster can create chemistry issues, former Los Angeles Laker-turned-analyst Markieff Morris strongly disagrees. In fact, he believes acquiring the two-time NBA Champion, at any cost, could revitalize both the franchise and its fanbase, giving them a genuine shot at title contention.
Morris on why the Knicks should wholeheartedly chase Durant
The Knicks’ decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau signaled a willingness to shake things up and make bold moves ahead of next season. Rumors are already swirling about the potential departure of Karl-Anthony Towns, who averaged 24.4 points per game this past season. But with a strong and gritty defensive core already in place – featuring Josh Hart and OG Anunoby along with Mikal Bridges elevating their perimeter defense, the addition of a veteran scorer in KD could be just what Jalen Brunson needs to take his game to the next level.
Thus, after appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up,” the 2020 NBA champion with the Purple and Gold reminded everyone how the Knicks were only a couple of wins shy of advancing to the championship round, and “Durantula” could just be the missing piece; even if it shortens their title window to at max a couple of years.
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“Of course, you have to do whatever it takes. You get Kevin Durant into the Mecca, into the Garden, what it is gonna do not only for the NBA and the fans but also the New York Knicks were a couple of games away from being in the Finals; this takes them over the top,” ‘Keef explained with thorough confidence.
“Like I said, having a talent, Hall of Famer like Kevin Durant – his leadership, adding to those younger guys and his ability to get a bucket at any time… and the hoop is going to be off the charts in the Garden if you see Kevin Durant out there,” the retired forward added.
Trading for KD could be a gamble for the Knicks
There’s no doubt that the two-time Finals MVP’s arrival would electrify Madison Square Garden and ignite the Knicks’ passionate fan base. However, concerns remain from a roster perspective.
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History has shown that Durant hasn’t always thrived when sharing the court with other high-usage stars. His stints in Brooklyn and Phoenix were marred by inconsistent chemistry, often due to overlapping ball-handling responsibilities. Given JB’s ball-dominant playing style, the fit between the two could be more complicated than it seems on paper.
So, while the glitz and glamour may surely increase with Durant’s name being associated with a large-market organization like New York, it remains to be seen if the Knicks’ front office is willing to take such a high risk and go all-in to chase the Larry O’Brien by this route, especially when their relatively stabile core has proven their mettle in the 2025 playoffs by reaching the ECFS for the first time in a quarter of a century.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.