While free agency doesn’t officially begin until 12:01 AM on July 1, the New York Knicks are getting a head start on trying woo Kevin Durant thanks to Carmelo Anthony and Team USA.
KD has been in New York for the past week to promote his new sneaker, the KD9, and for Team USA meetings, photo opportunities and media responsibilities. The trip to NYC has opened the door for Melo to recruit the superstar free agent before the calendar hits July 1.
From Marc Stein and ESPN:
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony told ESPN on Monday that his recruitment of marquee free agent Kevin Durant has already begun and will not be affected “whether [Durant] meets with the Knicks or not.”
”I’m with KD now; he’s right downstairs,” Anthony told ESPN. “We’ve been together. We’ve been talking.
“I do consider myself part of the Knicks,” Anthony continued, “so that meeting has already taken place.”
Free agency doesn’t officially start until Friday at 12:01 a.m., but the league office typically does not police such player interactions, since Anthony and Durant are obviously longtime friends who stay in frequent contact during the season.
“Melo has been my friend since I have been in high school. We talk about everything,” Durant said. “That is like my big brother right there. The best thing about all of us, none of the guys here have put any type of pressure. It has been cool.”
