Lowe Post Podcast: Rachel Nichols speculates that KD will sign with Knicks in 2019

[Carl_Karlson]

Man, F*ck that mentality. I'd rather develop our own guys and defeat the current guys on top. FOH with that if you can't beat 'em join 'em shyt

[Da_Mane_Man]

Before anyone takes what i say out of context i would be ecstatic with KD as a Knick BUT....As stupid as this is going to sound i prefer Kyrie to KD. KD will be 30+ next season and i dont think we would have the requisite pieces around him to win the title and i dont really want to see us trade away Frank and Knox for vets to go all in for 2-3 years right now. Kyrie will still be 27-28 next year and we can continue to grow with him. He was an mvp candidate last year before the injury and admittedly im a sucker for the hometown kid coming home... Also i think he fits our team slightly better. Basically i think Kyrie sets us up for more sustained success than KD would. Id be happy with either or both obviously though.

I'd agree with not wanting KD & I'll take it a step further, I don't want Kyrie either. I want to grow with the guys we have. If Kyrie comes, he will stunt Frank's growth.

I'm glad we have this year to see how the kids develop without any pressure. We will have a clearer picture of what we need at the end of the year, and the cap space to actually do something about it.

[EchelonNYK]

We don't need anyone riding our wave after being passed over for years

[Clyde_Style]

**** KD?

**** Kyrie?

Just spitballin here

[Oscirus]

It seems like we wouldn't have room for Durant if we're playing towards a knox kp robinson frontcourt.

[KnixinSix]

Man, F*ck that mentality. I'd rather develop our own guys and defeat the current guys on top. FOH with that if you can't beat 'em join 'em shyt

Sorry boys this isnt Melo or Derrick Rose or Stephon Marbury. If we bring in any of KD, Kawhi or Butler these are legit 2 way players that will complement our core.

I want Kyrie 4th on this list bc the D isnt nearly the same as the other guys but at least we have seen him have some absolute monster games right there with LeBron in the Cavs championship a couple years back. He is a legit playoff performer.

So I wont shed a tear or be filled with rage due to blind homerism if we get an amazing 2 way player to add to our mix and would still be pretty happy with Kyrie too.

[KnixinSix]

It seems like we wouldn't have room for Durant if we're playing towards a knox kp robinson frontcourt.

Positionless basketball you find minutes in a rotation. KP would play some more minutes at C too.

Rough Example for Front court minutes in 2019

C: KP (15), Mitchell (28), others(5)
PF: KP(17), KD(20), Knox(11)
SF: Knox(20), KD(16),KP(5), others(7)

It can work pretty easily actually. Fiz specifically already said KP will play 3 to 5.

[Oscirus]

It seems like we wouldn't have room for Durant if we're playing towards a knox kp robinson frontcourt.

Positionless basketball you find minutes in a rotation. KP would play some more minutes at C too.

Rough Example for Front court minutes in 2019

C: KP (15), Mitchell (28), others(5)
PF: KP(17), KD(20), Knox(11)
SF: Knox(20), KD(16),KP(5), others(7)

It can work pretty easily actually. Fiz specifically already said KP will play 3 to 5.

When you try and get too cute with the positionless basketball, you wind up screwing yourself and the team you've been trying to build.

[KnixinSix]

It seems like we wouldn't have room for Durant if we're playing towards a knox kp robinson frontcourt.

Positionless basketball you find minutes in a rotation. KP would play some more minutes at C too.

Rough Example for Front court minutes in 2019

C: KP (15), Mitchell (28), others(5)
PF: KP(17), KD(20), Knox(11)
SF: Knox(20), KD(16),KP(5), others(7)

It can work pretty easily actually. Fiz specifically already said KP will play 3 to 5.

When you try and get too cute with the positionless basketball, you wind up screwing yourself and the team you've been trying to build.

Its only 'too cute' when the players cant really play the positions you put them at and you are putting them there for significant minutes.

Listen carefully to what Fiz has already said and you get a major hint on his vision/thinking.

He said KP will play anywhere from 3 to 5. Players like KD and Knox can play 3 or 4 easily depending on matchups. They are specifically looking for position versatile players. Frank can play 1 to 3.

However the interesting thing when asked about Timmy is they emphatically called him a 2.

[dakomish23]

Fantastic if he does want to come here, but let’s be real

Watch on YouTube

[HarthorneWingo]

Man, F*ck that mentality. I'd rather develop our own guys and defeat the current guys on top. FOH with that if you can't beat 'em join 'em shyt

It's a distraction that doesn't serve any purpose at this point. We have all these nice young players - KP, Knox, Frank, Mitch, Hezonja. Yet so many are still distracted by shiny objects. If our coaching staff and scouts do their job and the players mesh, the rest will take care of itself.

[blue and orange]

F that dont even waste our time we have to assume Kyrie and KD camp will be using the knicks to gain leverage. Build a team and dont blow your wad. No one wants to come to the knicks thats the mentality we gotta have for once we have a young core in Frank, KP and Knox, eff kyrie eff kd eff everyone else who quote on quote has interest EITHER YOU SIGN WITH THE KNICKS OR YOU DONT, dont waste our time and were not catering to anyones demands.

[Cookies4Life]

^^How exactly would KD or Kyrie be using the knicks as leverage? They're not mid tier players trying to squeeze every dollar they can make in a new contract. Both guys would be offered max deals by at least half the teams (in KD's case, every team,) in the league.

You're thinking of someone like Grant Hill, not max guys who can make that type of money anywhere.

As far as the topic itself, I'd be very happy with obtaining Durant but I really don't want Irving here. I don't think his style suits the fast break, uptempo, tons of ball movement type of play this team is hopefully looking to execute. He's a great half court player/isolation specialist who has a high usage rating that likes to dribble around the perimeter for 5-10 seconds. We don't need that kind of guy on this squad.

[Oscirus]

Positionless basketball you find minutes in a rotation. KP would play some more minutes at C too.

Rough Example for Front court minutes in 2019

C: KP (15), Mitchell (28), others(5)
PF: KP(17), KD(20), Knox(11)
SF: Knox(20), KD(16),KP(5), others(7)

It can work pretty easily actually. Fiz specifically already said KP will play 3 to 5.

When you try and get too cute with the positionless basketball, you wind up screwing yourself and the team you've been trying to build.

Its only 'too cute' when the players cant really play the positions you put them at and you are putting them there for significant minutes.

Listen carefully to what Fiz has already said and you get a major hint on his vision/thinking.

He said KP will play anywhere from 3 to 5. Players like KD and Knox can play 3 or 4 easily depending on matchups. They are specifically looking for position versatile players. Frank can play 1 to 3.

However the interesting thing when asked about Timmy is they emphatically called him a 2.

Getting a max player that can play the same position as people you have slated for said position is cute. Now if they don't pan out, that's one thing, but if they do, why the hell would you do something like that?

[KnixinSix]

Oscirus better team with or without Durant?Or even Better team (in order of importance) with or without Kawhi,Butler, Kyrie, Kemba?

Let not your biases cloud better judgement. Durant makes us a better team clearly. If your top priority is being all homegrown and NOT winning a championship then I can understand your stance. Mine is the championship.

[KnixinSix]

F that dont even waste our time we have to assume Kyrie and KD camp will be using the knicks to gain leverage. Build a team and dont blow your wad. No one wants to come to the knicks thats the mentality we gotta have for once we have a young core in Frank, KP and Knox, eff kyrie eff kd eff everyone else who quote on quote has interest EITHER YOU SIGN WITH THE KNICKS OR YOU DONT, dont waste our time and were not catering to anyones demands.

Perry and company were clear we will be looking to add a max player in 2019. They understand if winning a championship is the goal it would be extremely unlikely to beat the Superteams (who virtually all have added a max FA or 2 themselves) without doing so.

[blue and orange]

F that dont even waste our time we have to assume Kyrie and KD camp will be using the knicks to gain leverage. Build a team and dont blow your wad. No one wants to come to the knicks thats the mentality we gotta have for once we have a young core in Frank, KP and Knox, eff kyrie eff kd eff everyone else who quote on quote has interest EITHER YOU SIGN WITH THE KNICKS OR YOU DONT, dont waste our time and were not catering to anyones demands.

Perry and company were clear we will be looking to add a max player in 2019. They understand if winning a championship is the goal it would be extremely unlikely to beat the Superteams (who virtually all have added a max FA or 2 themselves) without doing so.

I get it but I have to err on the side of caution until a grade A FA signs with the Knicks I'm not buying it I have to assume this is all garbage until I see it.

[cgf]

Damn Durant is going to be 30 next year?...

Not that it matters when a 7 footer can shoot like that lol. Dude will age like Dirk

[KnixinSix]

F that dont even waste our time we have to assume Kyrie and KD camp will be using the knicks to gain leverage. Build a team and dont blow your wad. No one wants to come to the knicks thats the mentality we gotta have for once we have a young core in Frank, KP and Knox, eff kyrie eff kd eff everyone else who quote on quote has interest EITHER YOU SIGN WITH THE KNICKS OR YOU DONT, dont waste our time and were not catering to anyones demands.

Perry and company were clear we will be looking to add a max player in 2019. They understand if winning a championship is the goal it would be extremely unlikely to beat the Superteams (who virtually all have added a max FA or 2 themselves) without doing so.

I get it but I have to err on the side of caution until a grade A FA signs with the Knicks I'm not buying it I have to assume this is all garbage until I see it.[/quote

This is more than just smoke and not the LeBron propaganda machine. Multiple, multiple sources reporting many FAs interested in joining the new culture here. Fiz one of the most liked guys in the league. Two potential stars in KP and KK. A GM that isnt forcing a triangle system. Foundation has been laid.

The chances we land a top guy in the offseason is pretty darn good.

[spree8]

Check out the latest edition of the Lowe Post Podcast featuring Zach Lowe, Howard Beck and Rachel Nichols.
At 27min mark, they bring up Durant and Rachel Nichols immediately brings up the Knicks as a viable option.
Seems to be in the tone of "informed speculation"
But reasons she cites are

- one upping Lebron on his move to LA
- KD's manager, Rich Kleiman, ties to the Knicks
- Durant not being satisfied in Golden State
- Warriors brass unsure if Durant wants to remain there and were even concerned he would leave this offseason
- Opportunity for KD to fix his image
- Return of the Mecca
- Scott Perry's ties to Durant when he was working for Sonics when KD was drafted there

She said if KD takes meetings then he will def meet the Knicks.
She put odds that KD as more likely that not that this could happen.
Lowe and Beck both agreed that you can't dismiss the idea it could happen

Just interesting stuff

I'll use this as another location to posit my KD to the Knicks theory. Or, more accurately, the reasons why KD might consider it.

Reasons to stay with the GSW
Rings, rings and more rings.
KD has two. Pencil him in for 3 next year. That ties him with LeBron, the player he'll be compared to when their careers are over. Not a direct comparison, but they'll sort of come up in the same breath, not unlike Magic/Bird
KD could then OPT IN, get a 4th and one up LeBron that way. IF one upping LeBron is important to him
KD could just re-sign, and pick up somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,6 rings and be remembered as, if not an original member, then an integral member of one of the iconic teams in NBA history. This is obviously the strongest reason to stay

Reasons KD might leave
Lebron "chased rings" right? Well, if LeBron was ONLY about rings, he would have stayed in Miami another few years and won another one or two. Lebron ensured he won a wing, stayed for another, then decided, in a VERY CALCULATED MOVE, to go back to Cleveland. That was very media savvy to change how he was currently viewed, but also how he'd be viewed when his career is over. To go back to the "home team" in a feel good story, deliver a championship, be a hero, no longer be a villain. And did he stay after? Nope. He went to LA to be on a "good" team, but perhaps not a championship team, but headed to a major media market and is basically positioning himself for post career life.

KD also left his "home team" and deliberately joined a team that was already a champion without him, so he could "fill in his resume, his career", with a championship. I believe both players, or Lebron, then KD, realized the kind of leverage and power they have, and used it to ensure they wouldn't go "ringless". Now, once one ring, or two, or three is out of the way, the question is what the next motivation. I think KD is VERY cognizant of the fact he's viewed a villain. Not quite A-Rod, but his brand went from "KD's a good guy" to "KD is kind of d*ck" and also "KD is a coattail rider". IF KD is satisfied having tied LeBron with 3 rings (and I think that's important), there is a very real chance he signs with the Knicks so he can be seen as "taking on the challenge of winning one as the lead guy" and also it sort of erases a lot of "KD is a front running ahole" from his brand. And that's just for evening signing on for a few years. If he wins a championship with the Knicks, then it's "he's the guy who ended the 46 year drought, he's a hero etc etc". And that would be a big deal for the post playing days KD legacy. And I really think LeBron and KD are wired to think this way.

It's a big if. Leaving a team that will be considered one of the top 4 in nba history is a big deal. But even LeBron showed his was wired not in an entirely "win as many rings as possible" and nothing else way. I think there is a strong chance KD is similar.

Lebron left Miami cuz he saw Wade n those injuries just getting worse, Bosh wasn’t enough, and Cleveland had a younger Kyrie and Wiggins who everyone and their mother knew was going to be traded for Kevin Love, who was like the best pf in the league at the time. Not because of anything else. Being that it was Cleveland was only a plus...look at him now in LA. Dude was thinking it would be him PG n Kawhi (which easily beats GS). He always tries to take the path of least resistance.