The Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant could agree to a deal worth approximately $220 million over five seasons, but he would be traded to another team at a later date.
"One of the things being discussed right now is the Golden State Warriors would offer Kevin Durant a five-year contract (with) $57 million extra that he could get than signing elsewhere," said Brian Windhorst. "Let him rehab and then work with him to be traded. Potentially to New York, potentially to somewhere else. Be their way to sort of take care of him monetarily after what he just went through and also protect the franchise to get some assets.
"If that happens, the Knicks would be in tremendous position to get back into it because they're going to have these young assets and cap space."
Windhorst further explained the scenario.
"For lack of a better term, it would be a delayed sign-and-trade," said Windhorst. "Because this is the only way Durant could get five years and play elsewhere. I'm just going to be honest with you: the Warriors going for this is a bit of a last ditch effort to not lose Kevin Durant for nothing. And what he would get out of it is an extra $57 million.
"Now you'd have to trust the Warriors that they would actually work with you in a trade, but it has at least been discussed."
Frank Isola of The Athletic reported the Warriors' interest in this scenario earlier in June.