Even though the summer of 2014 is barely underway, a lot of the basketball world is focused on Kevin Durant and his summer 2016 free agency, and there have been some links between Durant and the New York Knicks -- a team that is now coached by his former teammate in Derek Fisher.
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Durant has been loyal to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but as his 2016 free agency approaches sources believe that the Knicks' signing of Fisher could lead to a potential match that could bring the 2013-14 MVP to the Big Apple in a couple of summers.
Durant will have many different teams vying for his services when he eventually hits the open market but he can make the most money by re-signing with the Thunder, a team that he grew into an NBA superstar with. Still, the Knicks will likely be among the teams hoping to court the small forward, who grew close with and looked up to Fisher as his teammate.
Durant displayed his admiration for Fisher before the Knicks hired him when he was asked if the veteran player would make a good fit as an NBA coach.
"Without a doubt. He's a smart guy, smart mind. He's a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody," Durant told reporters about Fisher before the Knicks hired him. "He's a great locker room guy. I'm sure he'll do a great job."
Phil Jackson brought in Fisher after Mike Woodson was fired along with his staff following a subpar 37-45 season after owner James Dolan proclaimed New York to be a championship caliber team coming into the campaign and the team failed to make the postseason.
As evidenced in his MVP speech, Durant loves Oklahoma City, but with the team falling short of its goal of hoisting the NBA trophy in the last couple of seasons and not fulfilling its potential - including falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in six games this spring -- the drive to win a title could force Durant to leave the Thunder in two years.
"He only wants to win a championship," one league source familiar with Durant's mindset told ESPN.
The source also said Fisher being coach of the Knicks could also weigh into Durant's decisions.
"It will definitely be a factor," the league source said via ESPN.
Durant also has another link to New York City as he's represented by Roc Nation, which is headed by New York native Jay Z.
The summer of 2016 is far off and a lot can change with Durant and the Thunder by then, but the speculation has already begun on where the reigning MVP will wind up.
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