Bryant, Durant to Join Melo in New York?

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is actively recruiting Kevin Durant, who is a free agent in 2016, to join the Knicks and potentially create a Big Three that could include Kobe Bryant if not wanted by the Los Angeles Lakers next year.

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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was the first to report the unlikely scenario based on what Smith said he was hearing from NBA executives around league.

It wouldn’t be the first time these three superstars joined forces and set their collective sights on a world championship.

Back in 2012, the trio teamed up for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team and won the gold medal in London by defeating Spain for the second consecutive Olympics 107-100. Bryant, who had a lesser role at that point, saved one of his vintage gold medal performances for last. He finished with 17 points.

Durant was the star of the game and put on a show to the tune of 30 points and nine rebounds. His 38 minutes of play time was considerable high given the Olympic format, but Team USA wasn’t about to not ride his hot hand.

Anthony struggled a little bit in the game but played a huge role in the pursuit of the gold medal. “Melo” is arguably one of the greatest sixth men in National Team history and one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA today. Some people have forgotten his scoring prowess because of an injury-plagued season in 2014.

There is no doubt the odds of such a trio forming are pretty unlikely, but the pieces are certainly in place to turn it into a reality. Durant is an unrestricted free agent for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 and given the Thunder no assurances of a return.

The Knicks are on Durant’s radar which is a shock to most NBA fans given the current state of the team. That being said, the Thunder don’t have a lot going for them outside of Russell Westbrook, who is an absolute stud, but there is no guarantee Westbrook returns the following season when he becomes a free agent in 2017.

Westbrook’s going to have his fair share of options and has big market written all over him. There’s a pretty good chance he leaves whether or not Durant decides to stay.

Durant will have plenty of other suitors as well including the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and the hometown favorites, the Washington Wizards. Both of their situations are heavily predicated on how the Thunder finish this season.

Feb 9, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) holds the ball as New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) defends during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers have a lofty decision of their own approaching next off-season. Bryant will no longer be under contract, and the organization has to decide whether they should move on if Bryant wants to come back for his 21st season.

Jim Buss, part-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations, hasn’t ruled anything out, but when push comes to shove it may be a different story.

It’s hard to imagine Bryant actually leaving the Lakers franchise and partially tarnishing his legacy. That being said, if there is one guy that could get him to pull the trigger, it’s Hall-of-Fame coach and Knicks President Phil Jackson.

All of this would fall by the wayside if Durant chose the Lakers in the off-season and did a little recruiting of his own. Given his age, Bryant (37) wouldn’t be a factor in a decision of this magnitude.

Durant would have to be comfortable with the young core of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Durant, 26, has the time, but he may not have the patience for that situation.

If the three were to come together in New York, the Knicks would have a starting lineup of Jose Calderon, Bryant, Durant, Anthony and Robin Lopez. They would also have Arron Afflalo, Kevin Seraphin and European sensation Kristaps Porzingis off the bench.

Not a bad crew. They would definitely have to make an upgrade out point, but that is an extremely formidable lineup with descent depth. It may also be of note that Durant put the “Black Mamba” in his Top Five in a recent interview.

Per NBA Maniacs:

"Well, good question. I would say Magic Johnson based on his exceptional height, vision and he’s a triple-double machine. At guard Kobe Bryant. He is a legend and five-time champion. He’s been in the NBA half his life! Michael Jordan like three. Sorry Larry Bird, but I have to leave him out for Kobe. At power forward is difficult, between Karl Malone, Tim Duncan … I stay with Tim Duncan. For longevity, the securities and the impact he has had and still has on the court. And Shaquille O’Neal as a dominant center."

This will likely mean nothing in the grand scheme of things, but maybe the groundwork has already been laid. There is already a trust and respect their which cannot be underestimated. The trio has already won together and familiar with each other’s game.

This hypothetical scenario would allow “Melo” to exclusively play the four which has always been the ideal situation for him. It would also allow Bryant to exclusively play the two which is coming into question for the first time in his career.

Fans would get a chance to see what could have been when the Lakers narrowly missed out on landing Antony in 2014. “Melo” and Durant are marksmen from three and Bryant can still flick it from downtown.

Lopez would be a perfect fit at the center position, and Calderon, believe it or not, would be a nice fit given his ability to facilitate the rock and run a team as its floor general. There would definitively be some questions about this team’s defense, but the firepower might be too much to overcome.

In the end, the idea of these three getting together is probably nothing more than a pipe dream, but boy it sure would be something spectacular to lay witness to.

Next: Julius Randle Had One of Many 2014 Draft Injuries

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