[Stein] Various Tidbits on Phoenix

[LarsV8]

How much salary does NYK have to add to Mikal Bridges to get KD?

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Phoenix is also apron team, you would need third team.

[DirtyDez]

How much salary does NYK have to add to Mikal Bridges to get KD?

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Phoenix is also apron team, you would need third team.

So it’s literally impossible for two apron teams to deal directly. Some of these restrictions for teams who spend big are crazy.

[tester551]

How much salary does NYK have to add to Mikal Bridges to get KD?

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Phoenix is also apron team, you would need third team.

Phoenix has a TPE that they can take Dadiet into... allowing the trade to be legal.

Phoenix side is like this:
OG + Robinson ($52.6M) < KD ($54.7M) -> legal trade

Dadiet ($2.7M) into TPE (from Nurk trade) -> legal trade

[dremill24]

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Phoenix is also apron team, you would need third team.

Phoenix has a TPE that they can take Dadiet into... allowing the trade to be legal.

Phoenix side is like this:
OG + Robinson ($52.6M) < KD ($54.7M) -> legal trade

Dadiet ($2.7M) into TPE (from Nurk trade) -> legal trade

Thats good use of the nuances and would've worked at the deadline but apron teams cant use TPEs that were generated in 2024-25 anymore since that season is over, unfortunately.

[tester551]

Phoenix is also apron team, you would need third team.

Phoenix has a TPE that they can take Dadiet into... allowing the trade to be legal.

Phoenix side is like this:
OG + Robinson ($52.6M) < KD ($54.7M) -> legal trade

Dadiet ($2.7M) into TPE (from Nurk trade) -> legal trade

Thats good use of the nuances and would've worked at the deadline but apron teams cant use TPEs that were generated in 2024-25 anymore since that season is over, unfortunately.

Since the season is from July 1 to June 30, the TPE should still be valid to use as long as the trade happens prior to June 30.

[dremill24]

Phoenix has a TPE that they can take Dadiet into... allowing the trade to be legal.

Phoenix side is like this:
OG + Robinson ($52.6M) < KD ($54.7M) -> legal trade

Dadiet ($2.7M) into TPE (from Nurk trade) -> legal trade

Thats good use of the nuances and would've worked at the deadline but apron teams cant use TPEs that were generated in 2024-25 anymore since that season is over, unfortunately.

Since the season is from July 1 to June 30, the TPE should still be valid to use as long as the trade happens prior to June 30.

I thought that might be the case too, but they use 'last day of regular season' verbiage for this one.

Restriction:
F. Team acquires a player using a Standard
Traded Player Exception (as described in
Section 6(j)(1)(i) below) (i) after the end of the
Regular Season in which such Traded Player
Exception arose, or (ii) if such Traded Player
Exception arose during the period from the day
following the last day of a Regular Season through
the day before the first day of the immediately
following Regular Season, after the last day of
such following Regular Season

[Scoot McGroot]

Phoenix has a TPE that they can take Dadiet into... allowing the trade to be legal.

Phoenix side is like this:
OG + Robinson ($52.6M) < KD ($54.7M) -> legal trade

Dadiet ($2.7M) into TPE (from Nurk trade) -> legal trade

Thats good use of the nuances and would've worked at the deadline but apron teams cant use TPEs that were generated in 2024-25 anymore since that season is over, unfortunately.

Since the season is from July 1 to June 30, the TPE should still be valid to use as long as the trade happens prior to June 30.

The league specifically wrote in that for terms of TPE’s, and a lot of other new CBA specifics, a league year runs until the day after the regular season ends. So, yes, that TPE now is in a “previous season”.

[taikibansei]

How much salary does NYK have to add to Mikal Bridges to get KD?

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Horrible trade for the Knicks. Our issues this season all involved injuries to our core players. When we've been healthy, we've competed with everyone. Our offense was top-5 when Brunson and KAT both play. With Robinson and OG, our defense is top-6--without both, we're in the late teens on defense.

Adding KD for OG and Robinson only marginally improves our top-5 offense--what we really need is another playmaker (which KD is not)--while it absolutely guts our defense. I doubt the resulting team would make the play-in.

Finally, each season the Knicks are rumored in the media to be after all the big names, but at least in recent years, these rumors are almost never true. Even if a legal trade were possible, I doubt there's real interest on the Knicks for a 37-year-old KD with serious recent injuries--particularly at the costs mentioned here in these crazy trade ideas. Quite frankly, I personally would rather have OG than a 37-year-old KD who just "led" his team nowhere.

[They_Them_Hatin]

I think its always foolish to assume your window is a decade open just because your core guys are in their early 20's. It should be do I think they are good enough now if I add a high level scorer that our team desperately needs? If yes, trade for KD or Booker or whomever else might become available. If not, then you hope guys further develop or you should be trading some of those young guys now rather than paying them and now being expensive and still not good enough.

OKC is the exception, not the rule. Anyone looking at that and saying let’s just wait it out. Well good luck to you. The rest of the West will thank you for your hubris.

OKC got lucky the Clippers stupidly paid a kings ransom for PG. That’s not happening again.

[They_Them_Hatin]

How much salary does NYK have to add to Mikal Bridges to get KD?

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Horrible trade for the Knicks. Our issues this season all involved injuries to our core players. When we've been healthy, we've competed with everyone. Our offense was top-5 when Brunson and KAT both play. With Robinson and OG, our defense is top-6--without both, we're in the late teens on defense.

Adding KD for OG and Robinson only marginally improves our top-5 offense--what we really need is another playmaker (which KD is not)--while it absolutely guts our defense. I doubt the resulting team would make the play-in.

Finally, each season the Knicks are rumored in the media to be after all the big names, but at least in recent years, these rumors are almost never true. Even if a legal trade were possible, I doubt there's serious interest on the Knicks for a 37-year-old KD with two bad knees--particularly at the costs mentioned here in these crazy trade ideas. Quite frankly, I personally would rather have OG than a 37-year-old KD who just "led" his team nowhere.

The Suns were 3-18 without KD. Only wins being against the Jazz. He averaged 27 points without the ball so save the disrespect. As a KD fan I don’t want them to trade OG if he’s traded there. The original trade works but I can see Phoenix just keeping him since they are delusional about his value.

[taikibansei]

Knicks are a 1st apron team, so they need to send out more than they bring back. They would need to add ~$30M to Bridges. Brunson or Hart + Robinson works, but I don't think Suns go for a Bridges + Hart + Robinson trade.

I think it would need to be something like this:

Knicks out: ($55.3M)
OG + Robinson + Dadiet (into a TPE) + WAS '26 pick (likely 2 seconds)

Suns out: ($54.7M)
KD

Horrible trade for the Knicks. Our issues this season all involved injuries to our core players. When we've been healthy, we've competed with everyone. Our offense was top-5 when Brunson and KAT both play. With Robinson and OG, our defense is top-6--without both, we're in the late teens on defense.

Adding KD for OG and Robinson only marginally improves our top-5 offense--what we really need is another playmaker (which KD is not)--while it absolutely guts our defense. I doubt the resulting team would make the play-in.

Finally, each season the Knicks are rumored in the media to be after all the big names, but at least in recent years, these rumors are almost never true. Even if a legal trade were possible, I doubt there's serious interest on the Knicks for a 37-year-old KD with two bad knees--particularly at the costs mentioned here in these crazy trade ideas. Quite frankly, I personally would rather have OG than a 37-year-old KD who just "led" his team nowhere.

The Suns were 3-18 without KD. Only wins being against the Jazz. He averaged 27 points without the ball so save the disrespect. As a KD fan I don’t want them to trade OG if he’s traded there. The original trade works but I can see Phoenix just keeping him since they are delusional about his value.

The bold sounds like a you problem.

The Knicks were 51-31 without KD--and that's with extended injuries to Brunson, Robinson, and Precious. More to the point, offensive production has not been our problem. We've struggled with health, playmaking when Brunson sits, and with defense (particularly when OG and/or Robinson can't play). We're not trading two of our best defenders for a 37-year-old who's slowed down on defense, who by his admission does not/will not lead a team, and whose ability to stay on the court is now questionable.

Good luck being his fan!

[They_Them_Hatin]

Phoenix has been poorly constructed. No decent center and half of the roster is filled with athletic SGs under 6”4 In the end, I think KD stays unless he goes back to OKC. They are the only team that has picks and players the Suns can use. No they aren’t getting Chet or Jalen. However still seems to be beef. Rockets don’t want him. Suns are pretty delusional about his value and he himself said he’s not going to a team that has to gut it for him again.

Denver- MPJ/Saric/Naji next available 1st
Wolves- Randle Donte filler- next available 1st
Knicks- Bridges/Hart/Robinson next available 1st or swap for KAT
Heat- Rozier/Robinson/Jaime/Jovic/next available 1sts
Spurs- Vassell/Johnson picks

You might as well keep him if those are the offers and use the 1sts to turn Beal into role players.

Be a third team and send Beal + picks to New Orleans in the Zion trade. Role players that fit come to Phoenix.

Resign Collin and Martin. Dump Royce for a few 2nds

[They_Them_Hatin]

Horrible trade for the Knicks. Our issues this season all involved injuries to our core players. When we've been healthy, we've competed with everyone. Our offense was top-5 when Brunson and KAT both play. With Robinson and OG, our defense is top-6--without both, we're in the late teens on defense.

Adding KD for OG and Robinson only marginally improves our top-5 offense--what we really need is another playmaker (which KD is not)--while it absolutely guts our defense. I doubt the resulting team would make the play-in.

Finally, each season the Knicks are rumored in the media to be after all the big names, but at least in recent years, these rumors are almost never true. Even if a legal trade were possible, I doubt there's serious interest on the Knicks for a 37-year-old KD with two bad knees--particularly at the costs mentioned here in these crazy trade ideas. Quite frankly, I personally would rather have OG than a 37-year-old KD who just "led" his team nowhere.

The Suns were 3-18 without KD. Only wins being against the Jazz. He averaged 27 points without the ball so save the disrespect. As a KD fan I don’t want them to trade OG if he’s traded there. The original trade works but I can see Phoenix just keeping him since they are delusional about his value.

The bold sounds like a you problem.

The Knicks were 51-31 without KD--and that's with extended injuries to Brunson, Robinson, and Precious. More to the point, offensive production has not been our problem. We've struggled with health, playmaking when Brunson sits, and with defense (particularly when OG and/or Robinson can't play). We're not trading two of our best defenders for a 37-year-old who's slowed down on defense, who by his admission does not/will not lead a team, and whose ability to stay on the court is now questionable.

Good luck being his fan!

Good luck being a fan of a team that will go another 50 years without a title!

[taikibansei]

The Suns were 3-18 without KD. Only wins being against the Jazz. He averaged 27 points without the ball so save the disrespect. As a KD fan I don’t want them to trade OG if he’s traded there. The original trade works but I can see Phoenix just keeping him since they are delusional about his value.

The bold sounds like a you problem.

The Knicks were 51-31 without KD--and that's with extended injuries to Brunson, Robinson, and Precious. More to the point, offensive production has not been our problem. We've struggled with health, playmaking when Brunson sits, and with defense (particularly when OG and/or Robinson can't play). We're not trading two of our best defenders for a 37-year-old who's slowed down on defense, who by his admission does not/will not lead a team, and whose ability to stay on the court is now questionable.

Good luck being his fan!

Good luck being a fan of a team that will go another 50 years without a title!

Golly...that's a real zinger...particularly coming from someone who ostensibly supports the Phoenix Suns. How many championships have you guys won again? (Feel free to round up!)

[jayjaysee]

Yeah, if KD is open to staying.. you drag this group out another season. It’s a lot easier to get the 2027-2029 picks back due to Houston being able to pay. Brooklyn for the 2028 pick (get a full pick not just a swap)..

[They_Them_Hatin]

The bold sounds like a you problem.

The Knicks were 51-31 without KD--and that's with extended injuries to Brunson, Robinson, and Precious. More to the point, offensive production has not been our problem. We've struggled with health, playmaking when Brunson sits, and with defense (particularly when OG and/or Robinson can't play). We're not trading two of our best defenders for a 37-year-old who's slowed down on defense, who by his admission does not/will not lead a team, and whose ability to stay on the court is now questionable.

Good luck being his fan!

Good luck being a fan of a team that will go another 50 years without a title!

Golly...that's a real zinger...particularly coming from someone who ostensibly supports the Phoenix Suns. How many championships have you guys won again? (Feel free to round up!)

0, the same as yall have won in the past 50 years. Your team is struggling to beat the Pistons and have lost every game against contenders this year but okay, you got it.

[taikibansei]

Good luck being a fan of a team that will go another 50 years without a title!

Golly...that's a real zinger...particularly coming from someone who ostensibly supports the Phoenix Suns. How many championships have you guys won again? (Feel free to round up!)

0, the same as yall have won in the past 50 years. Your team is struggling to beat the Pistons and have lost every game against contenders this year but okay, you got it.

And your team with KD and Booker and Beal--and with combined payroll and luxury tax penalties exceeding $300 million--couldn't even make the play-in. So sad.

Yeah, nobody is trading anything significant now for KD. The time when he could have garnered such a return has passed.

[CP War Hawks]

Thats good use of the nuances and would've worked at the deadline but apron teams cant use TPEs that were generated in 2024-25 anymore since that season is over, unfortunately.

Since the season is from July 1 to June 30, the TPE should still be valid to use as long as the trade happens prior to June 30.

I thought that might be the case too, but they use 'last day of regular season' verbiage for this one.

Restriction:
F. Team acquires a player using a Standard
Traded Player Exception (as described in
Section 6(j)(1)(i) below) (i) after the end of the
Regular Season in which such Traded Player
Exception arose, or (ii) if such Traded Player
Exception arose during the period from the day
following the last day of a Regular Season through
the day before the first day of the immediately
following Regular Season, after the last day of
such following Regular Season

Reverse Uno burn! So what realistic trade partners are there for KD?

[jredsaz]

Since the season is from July 1 to June 30, the TPE should still be valid to use as long as the trade happens prior to June 30.

I thought that might be the case too, but they use 'last day of regular season' verbiage for this one.

Restriction:
F. Team acquires a player using a Standard
Traded Player Exception (as described in
Section 6(j)(1)(i) below) (i) after the end of the
Regular Season in which such Traded Player
Exception arose, or (ii) if such Traded Player
Exception arose during the period from the day
following the last day of a Regular Season through
the day before the first day of the immediately
following Regular Season, after the last day of
such following Regular Season

Reverse Uno burn! So what realistic trade partners are there for KD?

Heat
Rockets
Spurs
Wolves

Knicks are a realistic trade partner too but they would have to be willing to really shake up their roster. I think there will be more possibilities as the playoffs progress.