Knicks and Suns: No it's not Durant; yes it's KAT

[penbeast0]

Suns offer Devin Booker to New York for Karl Anthony Towns

Why for Suns: Size. The Suns tried to play this year with multiple SGs and no center except Nurkic and Richards. It didn't work. They deal for the controversial Towns, planning to use Beal in another big 3 grouping since they are stuck paying him. They still have a bunch of role players to fill in around Towns, Durant, and Beal and hope the trio stay healthy and that their new head coach can work out a defense that minimizes the issues with their scorers. Going for it again as they should since they are missing most of their upcoming draft picks.

Why for Knicks: Despite Towns having at times a great year for them, he got a lot of criticism in their playoff loss and is tough to play defensively next to Mitchell Robinson. Booker gives them another smart and versatile go to scorer next to Brunson especially if Hart is going or getting downgraded. The big risk is if Robinson isn't ready to be a full time player again and they are left relying on Precious again. They should look to get another backup center besides Achiuwa and Hukporti in free agency or later trades.

Could try to do more and fill in corners on the trade but can do the little stuff later. The key is whether the value here is pretty reasonable or way off.

[Snakebites]

I think it’s pretty far off for the Suns. I get that Beal is hard to move and the multiple shooting guard thing was a disaster, but that doesn’t mean you move your best player in a move like this.

The Suns are in a tough spot but building around Booker is still more viable than building around KAT.

[penbeast0]

I think it’s pretty far off for the Suns. I get that Beal is hard to move and the multiple shooting guard thing was a disaster, but that doesn’t mean you move your best player in a move like this.

The Suns are in a tough spot but building around Booker is still more viable than building around KAT.

You need a defensive big that can play PF minutes but I think with the situation they've put themselves in, they need to take a swing. Trading Durant for enough meh future to be mediocre for the next 5 years is exactly what they should not be doing. This gives them a shot at being dangerous if they can figure out a defensive scheme that works. The Suns as currently constituted or with Durant gone have no shot except bottoming out 5 years from now or getting Lakers caliber lucky which hopefully won't happen in the NBA again soon.