There’s been a lot of chatter around Kevin Durant lately, and rightfully so. KD is the biggest name in the trade market for the upcoming off-season. And even at the age of 36, the Phoenix Suns forward is generating buzz that can put many youngsters to shame. Teams around the league understand, Durant still has a lot to offer.
It just isn’t clear to everyone. As the race to sign the future Hall of Famer is going on in full swing, the New York Knicks have separated themselves from it. And they didn’t do it quietly.
Many believe that KD is a shell of his former self and can’t lead a team to glory at this age. But Mike Greenberg, on Get Up, set the record straight. Greenberg brought the receipts that should be enough to prove to anyone that Durant is still a force to be reckoned with. Here are some of the astonishing stats he discussed on the show.
- Durant is the only player ever to average 25+ points in three straight seasons, while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from the three-point line. This streak is still active because he has put up these numbers in the last three seasons.
- In the last five seasons, KD is averaging 27.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 274 games while shooting over 52% from the field and 41.5% from the three-point line.
- KD has 119 steals and 168 blocks in the last two seasons. He is one of three players who have amassed those numbers.
- In the 2024-25 season, the Suns were 33-29 with him and 3-17 in his absence. KD played 62 total games this season.
Even though the age factor is undeniable and is a reason why some teams might not want to invest in him, and yes, the Suns finished 11th in the West this season, but to not pursue a player of that caliber is a mistake.
New York Knicks pulled out of the race to sign Kevin Durant
As per NBA insider Marc Stein, “New York made it clear that it’s decided against pursuing a trade for [Durant].” Knicks feel comfortable with their roster, as they should, because they have made some deep playoff runs in recent years. But could the addition of arguably the greatest pure scorer hurt their chances? That’s up to the fans to decide.
And one of the biggest fans of the New York franchise, Stephen A. Smith, has decided that it was a foolish move from the organization. While speaking on the subject on First Take, Stephen A. didn’t mince his words and criticized the Knicks for stepping away from pursuing KD.
Of course it’s a mistake. It’s idiocy, to be quite honest with you.
Smith said.
Smith understands what the Knicks don’t; any team would be lucky to have KD play for them. The media veteran also outlined that the decision could stem from “pettiness” as Durant previously rejected the franchise in 2019 when he left Golden State. Instead of signing with the Knicks, he turned to the Brooklyn Nets.
Whatever the reason might be behind not pushing for KD, the Knicks have made a mistake, and the numbers prove it.
READ: Analyzing the Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: Is a Kevin Durant Trade Inevitable This Offseason?
Prateek is a seasoned content writer with over 2500 published articles and two+ years of experience. His passion for UFC was ignited during Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise, and closely following McGregor’s journey inspired him to bring a sharp, fan-driven perspective to his UFC coverage, blending detailed analysis with compelling storytelling.
