Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent and reports indicated that the New York Knicks are planning to make a strong push to acquire the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar.
Talks about the Knicks' interest in acquiring Durant intensified over the past several days because the superstar forward is currently in New York for the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend.
But when asked about his impending free agency, Durant said that he is not yet thinking about it as he is focused on staying healthy and leading the Thunder to success this season and next year before he hits free agency.
"Being honest, I'm not trying to think about that right now," Durant said via Newsday. "We're in a tough grind-out season and we're in the second half of the season and I don't want to make any distraction for my brothers in OKC. I'm laying my body on the line for them, they're laying their bodies on the line for me."
Previous reports indicated that Durant will strongly consider leaving the Thunder in 2016 if they fail to win the title this season and next year. The Thunder are currently in a tight race for the eighth spot in the Western Conference, and are currently in ninth place with their 28-25 record.
But despite their recent struggles, Durant cited what he and fellow superstar Russell Westbrook has achieved in Oklahoma City over the past several years.
"We haven't won a championship. I guess that is the next thing in line for us, but you can't discount what we did as a group," Durant added. "We don't look at ourselves as like the duo. I know everybody talks about that, but if you look at us two and how we have grown as players and leaders, we went through a lot and been through a lot. We are like brothers. I love Russ to death and love playing with him."
It should be noted, though, that the Knicks are not too appealing for free agents at this point. The Knicks currently hold the worst record in the league at 10-43. In order to improve their chances of landing big-name free agents, Knicks president Phil Jackson knows that they need to make changes in the offseason.
Sources said, though, that the Knicks will still be a strong contender for Durant in 2016 because of the appeal of playing alongside another high-scoring superstar in Carmelo Anthony. Durant also played alongside current Knicks coach Derek Fisher for three seasons in Oklahoma City.
