Heat/Suns/Nets/Lakers

[BBallFreak]

Numbers wise KD has put up some of the best numbers of his career in PHX. Our win-loss record has nothing to do with how he has played. I think you guys are VERY likely to be in the thick of the KD sweepstakes this summer. What's your opinion on Jovic?

So, your best player...

Had nothing to do with your record?

That's more reason not to want him. Those are called empty stats...

Booker is the best player and it's his fault more than KD's that our record is subpar. Also, you had the EXACT same record as us going into today and your best player is Bam....what does that say about him?

He's not the first option and shouldn't be. I thought that was obvious. Herro should be the second option, Bam the third, and a player who fits the timeline should be the first option.

[SA37]

Spoiler:

I honestly think KD to Miami makes the most sense in the league. Of course, if they can get in on a better/younger player they should but with their assets and franchise timeline KD makes sense. Bam is 28 this season. They make a push with a roster that better fits around KD than what they did in Phoenix.

But I get it, KD isn’t the guy who is going to lead the Heat anywhere. That’s up to Bam, Heat Culture, and whoever else. What KD can do is play some very good basketball.

If Miami could acquire Durant without giving up Wiggins or Ware (I agree with BBallFreak that Miami is unlikely to include Jovic or Ware in any deal for Durant), Miami has the players to make a solid run:

Ware / Love
Adebayo / Jovic
Durant / Highsmith
Wiggins / Burks
Herro / Mitchell

Miami desperately needs a guy who can create his own offense and draw a lot of defensive attention, and Herro and Adebayo just aren't those guys. Neither is Wiggins.

I think a deal with Rozier, Robinson (who could be cut for ~$9M, potentially getting Phoenix under the 2nd apron), Jaquez, and Miami's 2025 (if Miami ends up with a late lottery pick) and GS's 2025 pick would be a competitive offer. Perhaps a 3rd team would be needed to take Rozier and send back a player making less to get Phoenix under the 2nd apron. (Not sure how much salary Phoenix needs to shed.)

The next move, if I were Phoenix, would be to revisit the reported deal that was discussed that would have sent Beal to Washington (for Middleton + Smart or Holmes?)

So maybe you end up with a 4-team deal including Brooklyn who takes on salary in exchange for assets:

Miami get Durant

Phoenix gets Robinson, Smart, Jaquez, and Miami's 2025 pick (or a future 1st if Miami doesn't have a pick)

Brooklyn gets Rozier, Holmes and GS 2025

Washington gets Beal and a 1st from Phoenix

No idea if that works salary-wise, but:

Richards / Ighodaro
O'Neal / Jaquez
Dunn / Martin
Booker / Allen
Smart / Micic / 2025 pick?

And then whoever Phoenix might add in FA since I assume Robinson would be cut for the financial savings.

You have Royce O Neal starting at PF? That seems like a major loss. Think that Jovic would have to be in there if Ware isn't and I think we'd get him. Easily.

To be honest though, I'm not convinced that Riles won't include Ware. He's old and wants to make a title run, what does he care about Jovic or Ware and what they can do 3 years down the road?

Durant when added to Bam and Herro can win a chip next year

I really just listed who Phoenix would have left under contract. Phoenix would be able to add a PF in FA or with the pick -- or potentially negotiating for Jovic in the deal with Miami -- but the priority is likely getting under the 2nd apron so Phoenix has roster flexibility.

TBH, I didn't really spend a lot of time coming up with the 4-way trade, it was really just something I spitballed while thinking Phoenix should try to move Beal again. (I think Beal would be open to a trade in the summer when he could move his family easier and I think one of the few places he'd consider going is back to the DC area, but that's just a guess; I did see an article just after the deadline where Washington had considered a deal for Beal.) Phoenix may decide it isn't worth trading Beal given they'd likely have to give up an asset or two to get a deal done and Beal is so hard to move.

I agree with you on Riley prioritizing a title run. I think Ware is likely off the table because he is Miami's only true center and Miami knows he can contribute immediately. Miami seems to be high on Jovic, but perhaps they'd be willing to part with him since Miami has Kyle Anderson on a reasonable deal. And you may be right that Jovic would need to be included, especially if Miami makes the playoffs and doesn't have its lotto pick to offer.

[jredsaz]

Spoiler:

If Miami could acquire Durant without giving up Wiggins or Ware (I agree with BBallFreak that Miami is unlikely to include Jovic or Ware in any deal for Durant), Miami has the players to make a solid run:

Ware / Love
Adebayo / Jovic
Durant / Highsmith
Wiggins / Burks
Herro / Mitchell

Miami desperately needs a guy who can create his own offense and draw a lot of defensive attention, and Herro and Adebayo just aren't those guys. Neither is Wiggins.

I think a deal with Rozier, Robinson (who could be cut for ~$9M, potentially getting Phoenix under the 2nd apron), Jaquez, and Miami's 2025 (if Miami ends up with a late lottery pick) and GS's 2025 pick would be a competitive offer. Perhaps a 3rd team would be needed to take Rozier and send back a player making less to get Phoenix under the 2nd apron. (Not sure how much salary Phoenix needs to shed.)

The next move, if I were Phoenix, would be to revisit the reported deal that was discussed that would have sent Beal to Washington (for Middleton + Smart or Holmes?)

So maybe you end up with a 4-team deal including Brooklyn who takes on salary in exchange for assets:

Miami get Durant

Phoenix gets Robinson, Smart, Jaquez, and Miami's 2025 pick (or a future 1st if Miami doesn't have a pick)

Brooklyn gets Rozier, Holmes and GS 2025

Washington gets Beal and a 1st from Phoenix

No idea if that works salary-wise, but:

Richards / Ighodaro
O'Neal / Jaquez
Dunn / Martin
Booker / Allen
Smart / Micic / 2025 pick?

And then whoever Phoenix might add in FA since I assume Robinson would be cut for the financial savings.

You have Royce O Neal starting at PF? That seems like a major loss. Think that Jovic would have to be in there if Ware isn't and I think we'd get him. Easily.

To be honest though, I'm not convinced that Riles won't include Ware. He's old and wants to make a title run, what does he care about Jovic or Ware and what they can do 3 years down the road?

Durant when added to Bam and Herro can win a chip next year

I really just listed who Phoenix would have left under contract. Phoenix would be able to add a PF in FA or with the pick -- or potentially negotiating for Jovic in the deal with Miami -- but the priority is likely getting under the 2nd apron so Phoenix has roster flexibility.

TBH, I didn't really spend a lot of time coming up with the 4-way trade, it was really just something I spitballed while thinking Phoenix should try to move Beal again. (I think Beal would be open to a trade in the summer when he could move his family easier and I think one of the few places he'd consider going is back to the DC area, but that's just a guess; I did see an article just after the deadline where Washington had considered a deal for Beal.) Phoenix may decide it isn't worth trading Beal given they'd likely have to give up an asset or two to get a deal done and Beal is so hard to move.

I agree with you on Riley prioritizing a title run. I think Ware is likely off the table because he is Miami's only true center and Miami knows he can contribute immediately. Miami seems to be high on Jovic, but perhaps they'd be willing to part with him since Miami has Kyle Anderson on a reasonable deal. And you may be right that Jovic would need to be included, especially if Miami makes the playoffs and doesn't have its lotto pick to offer.

I just think the Heat are going to be willing to shake things up this summer and assets will be available for a Star. Don’t know if they have the collection of assets to go get a star in their prime with the other teams in the market.