Why Knicks must resist urge to chase Kevin Durant in offseason

He will be tempting, of course, because by the time all is said and done, Kevin Durant will be on the short list of the greatest players in NBA history. Top 10? Maybe. Top 20? For sure. 

And there’s more: Even after 16 years, even at age 36, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. His team may be a raging dumpster fire this year, but Durant most certainly has not been. He’s averaged 26.8 points in the 62 games he’s played. He’s shot 52 percent — 43 percent from 3. He is still as smooth an offensive basketball player as there is in the league. 

In the world. 

He wasn’t available for the Suns Sunday night for their game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, missing a third straight game with a left ankle injury. The Suns are in a desperate battle to snag the last play-in bid, a quest made all the more difficult with Durant out of commission.