The Knicks lose out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

In a twist of fate, per multiple sources, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will apparently sign with the Brooklyn Nets instead of the New York Knicks. This comes after a season of speculation by media heads, such as Ric Bucher, heavily suggesting that Kevin Durant to the New York Knicks was a done deal. Sources also speculated that Durant would join forces with Irving. As it turns out, that part was true. However, the landing spot was incorrect. As conflicting reports multiplied, Durant kept his ultimate decision close to the vest. Irving, on the other hand, let it be known that he would be going to Brooklyn.

Now, with the cat out of the bag, it appears that both Durant and Irving will be a Brooklyn Net next season.

History Repeats Itself

This wouldn’t be the first time the Knicks lost out on a top tier player. When LeBron James decided to leave Cleveland the first time, speculation suggested that the Knicks would land him. However, James decided to famously take his talents to South Beach and become a member of the Miami Heat. With the Knicks not learning from their mistakes, history has repeated itself, with the team losing out yet again.  Moreover, this hurts even more because the front traded away the team’s star player, Kristaps Porzingis, to make landing the duo possible. Now, New York will lose out on both, as well as their current center, DeAndre Jordan.

Is this the Knick’s fault?

It seemed clear that Irving had made up his mind some time ago, with the Nets being the clear decision. Fans, however, still held out hope for Durant.  Since Wednesday, Durant has been in New York with his business manager, allegedly meeting with other teams. Maybe Durant always intended to sign with the Nets. Perhaps, he had a change of heart, and this was a last minute decision. Whatever the case may be, the Knicks off-season plans are in disarray. Now, the team will have to figure out who else they can sign besides the duo.

What’s Next for the Knicks

The Knicks were rumored to chase after Kemba Walker as opposed to Kyrie Irving. However, as of yesterday, reports surfaced that Walker would instead be heading to the Boston Celtics. The Knicks were also alleged to pursue DeMarcus Cousins if they couldn’t land Durant. Seeing that that is apparently the case, there is a good chance that the team will make a play at Cousins. Stars such as D’Angelo Russell and Tobias Harris are still apparently available. The Knicks could possibly pursue them as a combo, offering either the max. The Knicks could also go after another player in the dwindling free agency pool, but the team’s options are shrinking by the minute.

Knicks fans banked on the fact that the team would wind up with Kevin Durant. The front office held out hope that 2019 would be a big year for the team. Speculation pointed towards a big signing in the offseason. Members of the media seemed certain the Durant would join the Knicks. Now, it seems that all those rumors were erroneous and the team has indeed lost out on Durant. Whatever the team does, whoever the team pursues, one thing is clear: the Knicks front office needs to prove that they can deliver.