That’s according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Warriors forward Durant can become a free agent in the offseason if he uses the player option in his contract to opt out of his deal with Golden State.
He can then negotiate a five-year max contract in the Bay Area, another one-plus-one deal, or look to move to another new franchise altogether with the New York Knicks believed to be his likeliest landing spot.
Durant has recently moved his business, Thirty Five Ventures, to an office building in New York City to further fan the flames.
It has been claimed the 30-year-old could look to take on the challenge of leading a team to a championship in light of the criticism he has received for joining a stacked Warriors roster when he left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
But Haynes thinks Durant will need the support of an Irving or a Davis if he is to take on the Warriors among the other teams vying for the NBA title – with the Knicks and LA Clippers both boasting two max slots, while the Brooklyn Nets could free up salary space to become a third option.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been mentioned as they seek an All-NBA talent to put alongside LeBron James but the chances of the four-time MVP and Durant joining forces seems slim given the latter said playing with LeBron creates a “toxic” environment in December.
And according to the Yahoo Sports reporter’s insight, Golden State are hoping a third straight championship could help keep him.
The Warriors move to a new arena next season and only one team have ever won more than three consecutive titles, the iconic 1960s Boston Celtics who won eight in a row – albeit in an era before the three-point line was introduced.
“I spoke with him about that and he said his business was always being relocated to New York,” Haynes revealed to Jason McIntyre on Fox Sports Radio’s The Big Lead show.
“There’s obviously a link there with Kevin Durant and New York.
“I’ve reported this in October, November, that they will be in play. They will be in play.
“I don’t know who’s in the lead or anything like that but they have two max slots.
“I think they will be serious players but the Warriors, they’re a little scared, a little concerned but still feel like if they get another championship that will help.
“He has to team up with a Kyrie or an Anthony Davis. I think he’ll be the No 1 guy by default.
“I don’t necessarily think that chasing a championship or so called winning one on his own will be his main goal.
“I think he’ll feel validated if they win three in a row at Golden State.
“I really don’t think if he does go somewhere the primary focus is winning a championship on his own.
“The link has always been there to New York for Kyrie as well.
“It’s going to be a weird summer. It’s going to be interesting to see how things turn out.”