Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony says he’s begun recruiting Kevin Durant

Carmelo Anthony has been talking to free agent forward Kevin Durant, trying to convince him to sign in New York, the Knicks star informed reporters on Monday.

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Carmelo Anthony has been talking to free agent forward Kevin Durant, trying to convince him to sign in New York, the Knicks star informed reporters on Monday.

“We’ve been together. We’ve been talking,” Anthony told ESPN’s Marc Stein. “I do consider myself part of the Knicks, so that meeting has already taken place.”

As of Sunday night, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley, the Knicks were not one of the six teams to land a meeting with Durant, though with this news, it’s clear they have some connection with him.

• Durant free agency hub | Everything you need to know about free agency

USA Today’s Sam Amick reported on Saturday that New York had made its way onto Durant’s radar with the acquisition of Derrick Rose, even though no formal meeting had been set. After the Rose trade, team president Phil Jackson reportedly told Rose that the team would make a push for Durant.​

“I like that a lot,” Anthony said of the Rose trade.

Durant, who as recently as last week was reported to be leaning toward re-signing with the Thunder, can begin to meet with teams when free agency begins on July 1.

The seven-time All Star has averaged 27.4 points per game over his professional career, and was named the league’s MVP following the 2013–14 season.

– Kenny Ducey