By ending up with only the third pick in the NBA Draft, did the Knicks odds at signing Kevin Durant decrease and thus help the LA Clippers?
The only way the lottery could have gone worse for the New York Knicks would have been if they got the fourth pick like the Los Angeles Lakers. Ending up with the third pick in the draft isn’t awful but with aspirations to either trade for Anthony Davis or keep Zion Williamson and to land Kevin Durant, one has to wonder if falling to third hurt their chances.
Assuming that the Knicks take R.J. Barrett, does Kevin Durant maybe feel a little apprehensive in going out East? Yes, Barrett is still a solid talent, but he is no Zion. With the Pelicans winning the lottery, trading AD seems less likely. Their GM, David Griffin, stated after winning the lottery that he hopes to convince Davis to stay.
Durant could still easily go to New York, partnering up with Kyrie Irving. While the duo (along with DeAndre Jordan and the young core of Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and presumably Barrett) would likely be a playoff team, they may not have enough to be a championship contender.
This is what the LA Clippers need to sell. If there is any doubt in KD’s mind that the Knicks aren’t the best possibility for him since they may not be an immediate contender, the Clippers need to pounce. Durant saw first hand during the playoffs what this team’s roster can do and inserting himself into that position would likely be enough to elevate the team into a championship caliber team.
The Clippers obviously have the money to sign Durant outright and still maintain most of their roster from this season. Adding Durant and another star (Kawhi Leonard? Jimmy Butler?) requires that the team moves Gallinari to create space, but they would still be able to retain most of their surprise playoff squad.
While the Knicks didn’t get completely hosed, their pick falling outside of the top two definitely helped the Clippers at least make a case for themselves as Durant suitors. Now, we wait and see how everything shakes out.