The 2014-15 NBA season is just over halfway complete; the NBA trade deadline (Feb. 19) is approaching, the Atlanta Hawks apparently can't lose, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are finding their winning ways climbing the Eastern Conference standings.

But for the 9-38 New York Knicks, it's never too soon to look forward to the future, the very distant future.

According to reports, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant may choose to join the Knicks once he becomes a free agent. Durant is currently under contract with the Thunder until the end of next season. This season Durant is scheduled to make $18,995,624 in base salary, and next year $20,158,622. Durant has played his entire career with the Thunder since being drafted by them in 2007 No. 2 overall after Greg Oden. Poor Trail Blazers fans.

A person close to Durant said, “No question about it, Kevin loves Carmelo. It could work in New York. But never rule out the Thunder.”

Durant has obviously excelled with the Thunder, winning an MVP and four scoring titles, but many believe he will not re-sign with his current team once he becomes a free agent in 2016. Russell Westbrook is one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA, but he shoots the ball a lot more than most point guards do. This season, Westbrook is averaging three more shots per game than Durant, which is incomprehensible when compared to past guards like John Stockton and Jason Kidd.

There's a good chance the Thunder will trade Reggie Jackson before this year's trade deadline, as well.

It will be tough for the Knicks to get a hold of Durant because Carmelo Anthony's large contract has salary cap restrictions. Anthony will make more than $20 million per season every year until at least 2018. The Knicks also can't trade Anthony because he has a no-trade clause in his contract.

It will be tough for Team President Phil Jackson, but he can offer Durant a few things the Thunder can't. No one is trying to say Oklahoma is not sports friendly, but Durant can certainly market himself in the Big Apple (specifically Manhattan) a lot more than Oklahoma. Some of the greatest athletes in sports history played for teams in New York, such as Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth, Patrick Ewing and Lawrence Taylor.

Another thing to keep in mind is competition. Durant may want to leave the Thunder because the odds of winning the conference in the East is far easier than the Western Conference. Other than LeBron James, the East doesn't have nearly the superstar talent that we see compared to the West.

Another team that could make a serious run for Durant is the Washington Wizards. Durant was after all born and raised in the nation's capital. If Durant chooses to not re-sign with the Thunder or play for the Knicks, odds are he'll sign with the Wizards.

Even without Durant, the Wizards are 31-16 this season thanks to John Wall. Transitioning from Westbrook to Wall could be very beneficial for Durant because he would get a lot more shots. Similar to the Knicks option, Durant would also benefit from playing in a weak Eastern Conference.

The Los Angeles Lakers will be in play to make a run at Durant in 2016. Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant will be a free agent by then and will most likely retire. With Bryant not on the Lakers salary cap, the Lakers will have a lot of salary cap available. Whether or not Durant chooses to play for the Lakers remains to be seen.

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