New York Knicks Rumour Roundup: Kyrie Irving tipped to join, secret Kevin Durant meeting, and more

The New York Knicks were the NBA's worst performing team of the 18/19 season, yet the franchise has positioned itself in a strong position heading into the offseason. The Knicks have the resources to add two max contracts this summer, and the organisation is confident of finally building a team that can contend for a championship.

Evidently, there will be plenty of comings and goings in New York this summer and there is no shortage of Knicks rumours making the rounds. So, as we head towards the offseason, here are all the latest you need to know.

Frank Ntilikina wants to stay in New York

Frank Ntilikina has been backed for a summer exit

Reports earlier this week suggested that Frank Ntilikina wanted to be traded by the Knicks, although Marc Berman of the New York Post says that the 20-year-old's agent has denied the rumours; expressing Ntilikina's happiness in New York:

Bouna Ndiaye, the French agent, told me earlier today Frank Ntilikina had no - and still has no - interest in being traded. 'Frank is extremely happy to be part of the Knicks'

During his two seasons with the Knicks, Ntilikina has started just 25 times - averaging 5.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Secret Kevin Durant meeting

Kevin Durant is expected to leave the Warriors following the playoffs

The Knicks are expected to be among the major players to sign Kevin Durant this summer, and Steve Popper of NewsDay.com is reporting that a secret meeting has taken place:

For now it is all speculation, but there were anonymous whispers asking if it was true that the Knicks and Durant had already held a secret meeting, that a handshake deal was already in place and that endorsement deals were already ironed out.

It wasn’t just talk about the Knicks securing the services of Durant, but that the elite scorer is bolting the Warriors despite all the success. No-one would put a name on their thoughts, but they did at least in their minds figure out the hardest part of the free agency question: why would he leave the Warriors?

Durant is expected to leave the Warriors this summer, and he has also been strongly linked with the LA Clippers.

Terry Rozier would be happy to join the Knicks

Terry Rozier has expressed his desire to be a starter

Since the conclusion of the regular season, Terry Rozier has been talking openly about his future - and during an appearance on ESPN's 'Jalen and Jacoby', Rozier admitted that he was open to a move to the Knicks:

I definitely can. This is a great organisation. Everybody knows about the New York Knicks, their sports market, everybody knows about the city of New York. It'd be great.

Just looking for a team that's going to let me be myself, a team that treats me like family and just go from there. I'm not a hard person to work with. I'm a team-first type of guy. Whoever I decide to make that decision with, I'm pretty sure it's going to be great.

Rozier has spent the past two seasons playing back-up to Kyrie Irving, so it is unlikely that he would follow his teammate to New York. Nevertheless, a move could be possible if Irving rejects the Knicks.

Kyrie Irving backed to sign with the Knicks

Kyrie Irving will reportedly only consider joining a title contender

Kyrie Irving is expected to walk away from the Celtics this summer, although the Knicks are expected to face intense competition from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. Yet, the man that coached Irving in high-school (Kevin Boyle) has told SNY.TV that Irving will head to the Knicks:

I think there's a good chance in my opinion that Kyrie ends up there," Boyle said in an interview with SNY.tv's Ian Begley, stressing that he was speaking as a fan and not as someone who had inside information on Irving's plans.

In my gut, I would think that would work best for him and I would think that (the Knicks) have a really strong chance of that happening. But I have not spoken directly to him and I don't know that to be a fact.

During the 18/19 season, Irving averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.