Eager to acquire two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant in 2019 – the last time the decorated Olympian was a free agent – the New York Knicks left no stone unturned in their free agent pursuit.
This included the franchise leaning on the aid of legendary rap collective Wu-Tang Clan to help recruit Durant to the Big Apple.
During an appearance on Pablo Torre Finds Out, legendary rapper Method Man revealed that the Knicks paid the Wu-Tang Clan to create an original song as part of their recruitment of Durant.
“We really wanted KD to come, and I knew that KD wanted to come to New York,” Method Man said. “He just wasn’t clear on where he wanted to go.”
Wu-Tang Clan Created Music Video to Woo Kevin Durant to Knicks
GettyKnicks called on Wu-Tang Clan to recruit Kevin Durant in 2019
Before reigning Clutch Player of Year Jalen Brunson arrived in New York, the Knicks pulled all the stops to bring one of the league’s biggest stars to the Big Apple.
Following a four-year stint in Golden State, in which he earned a pair of Finals MVP awards, Durant was in the market for a new team to begin the next chapter in his storied NBA career.
Knicks owner James Dolan did everything in his power to ensure Durant’s next stop was in New York. He even paid Wu-Tang Clan millions of dollars to create a custom recruitment video for the four-time scoring champion.
Wu-Tang Clan founding member Method Man confirmed that the legendary hip-hop band was happy to oblige, since they knew Durant wanted to be in New York and they’re all lifelong Knicks fans:
“I don’t remember the track, but I remember we shot a visual for it,” Method Man said. “We really wanted KD to come, and I knew that KD wanted to come to New York. He just wasn’t clear on where he wanted to go.”
“I remember we shot a visual for [the track],” Method Man said. “It was about a 4-5 hour process.”
The video, titled “The Multi-Million Dollar Wu-Tang Clan Music Video Meant for One Person,” showed Wu-Tang Clan members wearing Knicks jerseys with Durant’s old No. 35, and it featured an epilogue in which several members of the band made their case to lure the former MVP to Madison Square Garden.
Knicks Lost Kevin Durant Sweepstakes to Division Rival
GettyKevin Durant joined the Nets over the Knicks in 2019
Ultimately, Durant did sign with a New York franchise, but it was the Brooklyn Nets, not Wu-Tang Clan’s beloved Knicks. In Brooklyn, Durant joined Kyrie Irving and hoped to blitz their way through the Eastern Conference.
The talented duo was later joined by James Harden, further fueling their championship hopes.
Their championship aspirations were not fulfilled, but Durant remained in Brooklyn until 2023 when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, who traded him to the Houston Rockets this past offseason.
Whether the heartfelt Wu-Tang Clan recruitment video factored into Durant’s decision is unclear, but the gift of the rap recruitment video will live on the internet forever.
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