MIL/PHX/WAS because why not attempt a Durant trade

[HornetJail]

Pt 1:

Phoenix trades #29, #52, 2032 2nd
Washington trades 2026 1st (worst of OKC/HOU/LAC)

Precursor to the other trade, allowing the Suns to push back their 1st for a very late pick next year.
Washington gets an extra pair of picks to use in this year's draft and a distant 2nd as well.

Pt 2 (aka the real part):

Phoenix trades Durant, O'Neale

Milwaukee trades Lillard, Portis, 1 1st, 4 1st swaps, 3 2nds. Basically everything they have. Detailed below:

Milwaukee swaps 2026 1sts - worst of MIL/NOP for worst of OKC/HOU/LAC

Milwaukee swaps 2028 1sts - whatever this whole thing is for whatever this whole thing is.

Milwaukee swaps 2030 1sts - worst of MIL/POR for worst of PHX/WAS/MEM

2031 MIL 1st unprotected

Milwaukee swaps 2032 MIL 1st for 2032 PHX 1st

3 2nds: #47 this year, 2031 MIL 2nd, 2032 MIL 2nd

The Suns get a bit of upside added to those swapped 1sts, especially the more distant ones. Hope against hope that Lillard returns to even 80% of what he was in 2026-27, rehabs his value tremendously and can be a trade asset as an enormous productive expiring then. IMO this is [very] light value for an all-timer but if the offers aren't coming in, is this better than just letting the KD situation fester?

The Bucks empty out their admittedly shallow pockets and commit to winning with Giannis. What else can you really do with the Bucks assets?

[nate33]

Pt 1:

Phoenix trades #29, #52, 2032 2nd
Washington trades 2026 1st (worst of OKC/HOU/LAC)

Precursor to the other trade, allowing the Suns to push back their 1st for a very late pick next year.
Washington gets an extra pair of picks to use in this year's draft and a distant 2nd as well.

I understand what Phoenix is trying to do here, but I don't think the Wizards go for it.

The problem is, the second half of the first round is virtually worthless for the next few years because marginal underclassman are electing to stay in school rather than declare for the draft (because they can get paid now). The result is that there is a massive dropoff in talent shortly after the start of the second round. This dynamic will persist for another year or two. Eventually, a new equilibrium will be established where there will be more (but older) talent available in the later rounds, but that probably won't happen until 2027 or so.

What I'm saying is that #52 pick has no value at all. So from the Wizards perspective, they are trading a late FRP in the next draft for a late FRP in this draft, which is, at best a wash and, at worst, a modest downgrade because there is a non-zero chance that OKC has injury troubles and maybe ends up pick in the early 20's instead of 29th or 30th. So the only compensation for this modest downgrade is a very distant SRP. Also, the Wizards already have 3 picks in this draft. They don't really want a 4th.

[DaVoiceMaster]

What is the purpose of the 1st trade? Receiving the #29 pick this year for a pick next year is not any better than whatever the 2026 pick will be. Unless I'm missing something,
(which is always possible), I don't see any reason Washington does this trade.

[HornetJail]

What is the purpose of the 1st trade? Receiving the #29 pick this year for a pick next year is not any better than whatever the 2026 pick will be. Unless I'm missing something,
(which is always possible), I don't see any reason Washington does this trade.

the 2026 swap isn't possible without Phoenix actually having a 2026 pick to swap, but I guess if #29 and the only 2 2nds the Suns own isn't enough to acquire what is likely to be the worst possible 2026 1st, then they're not going to get a swap that year

[Silvie Lysandra]

What I'm saying is that #52 pick has no value at all. So from the Wizards perspective, they are trading a late FRP in the next draft for a late FRP in this draft, which is, at best a wash and, at worst, a modest downgrade because there is a non-zero chance that OKC has injury troubles and maybe ends up pick in the early 20's instead of 29th or 30th. So the only compensation for this modest downgrade is a very distant SRP. Also, the Wizards already have 3 picks in this draft. They don't really want a 4th.

I mostly agree but there's one scenario in which the Wizards would prefer to have the 1st this year - as part of an all in trade package for Harper. It wouldn't be a big needle mover, but it's basically making the asset potentially more attractive for trade purposes while getting a small amount of value in return.

[One_and_Done]

KD has given his 3 team list. This isn't one of them, so no dice.

[nate33]

What I'm saying is that #52 pick has no value at all. So from the Wizards perspective, they are trading a late FRP in the next draft for a late FRP in this draft, which is, at best a wash and, at worst, a modest downgrade because there is a non-zero chance that OKC has injury troubles and maybe ends up pick in the early 20's instead of 29th or 30th. So the only compensation for this modest downgrade is a very distant SRP. Also, the Wizards already have 3 picks in this draft. They don't really want a 4th.

I mostly agree but there's one scenario in which the Wizards would prefer to have the 1st this year - as part of an all in trade package for Harper. It wouldn't be a big needle mover, but it's basically making the asset potentially more attractive for trade purposes while getting a small amount of value in return.

Why would a late 2025 FRP would be any better of a trade sweetener than a late 2026 FRP in a Harper trade?

[Silvie Lysandra]

Just from an "asset now is better than an asset later" perspective. Especially since the Spurs want to compete sooner rather than later, so they'd likely prefer to get a prospect now rather than in 2026.