Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant has advised the New York Knicks and their star player Jalen Brunson to maximize the opportunities arising from their recent NBA championship, warning that such success may not be easily replicated. Durant, speaking in an interview with Wall Street Journal Live, emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the current momentum.
"I would tell him to strike while the iron’s hot," Durant said, referencing the Knicks' first championship in 53 years. "This is a time that I don’t think New Yorkers or the Knicks are gonna get back. You gotta take advantage of this time right now, you don’t know if this will come around [again]. It’s been 53 years. It could be another 53-year wait."
Durant has a history with the Knicks, having chosen to sign with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, stating at the time that "the cool thing right now is not the Knicks." After three-and-a-half seasons with the Nets, he was traded to the Suns in February 2023, the same season Brunson joined the Knicks. While Durant has since moved to his third team in four seasons, the Brunson-led Knicks have emerged as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference, culminating in this season's championship.
Since their victory, Brunson has seen a surge in off-court opportunities, including a sold-out photo opportunity and increased interest in his trading cards. Brunson himself has expressed a desire to guest star on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Durant added his thoughts on Brunson's approach to these new ventures: "I would say take all opportunities and listen to them and see which ones you love. I think Jalen has done such a great job of being him every single day and stepping up. His identity is just about grinding from the bottom and being somebody in New York City who made history in New York City. Right now is an important time for him and the Knicks and I feel like he’s gonna take full advantage of it."