It’s no secret that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have talked about teaming together. Durant and Irving have been linked to the New York Knicks for most of the season. But now the Brooklyn Nets, who are looking to make a splash this summer in free agency, have emerged.
According to sources, the Nets are emerging as a serious threat to land both Irving and Durant. Brooklyn has always been known as the Knicks’ “little brother” in New York City. But as of right now, the momentum is on Brooklyn’s side to change that narrative.
Brooklyn Nets Look To Contend, Take Over New York City
Marc Stein of the New York Daily News (NYDN), reported that Brooklyn is looking to essentially sweeten their pitch to Durant. They’re looking at the possibility of landing his close friend, DeAndre Jordan, who will also be a free agent.
Jordan would give the Nets some size in the middle, which hurt them against the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid had his way with Jarrett Allen and Brooklyn sees Jordan as an upgrade in the interior.
Acquiring Durant and Irving would definitely put the Knicks franchise on their heels. The moment the Nets moved from New Jersey to New York City, their goal was never to simply “fit in”. It was to do their best to not only win, but take over the Big Apple.
Durant will miss all of the 2019-20 season with a torn Achilles, but that won’t deter teams, even the Nets, from giving him a max contract in free agency. The Nets see an opportunity to accomplish the goals that they’ve set out to accomplish. Brooklyn will be a contender after the 2019-20 season and become the hottest ticket in New York City.
No doubt, Madison Square Garden will always be known as the Mecca, but the Barclays Center would generate the buzz that’s been missing in New York in quite some time. Landing Durant and Irving would also give the Nets organization, led by general manager Sean Marks, a big time boost.
Opposing teams, players, and executives won’t look at Brooklyn as the little brother anymore. They’ll look at a Nets franchise that’s here to stay, while the James Dolan led Knicks are still scrambling for answers.
