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Durant was traded just over a year ago for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and four unprotected first round picks. Since then, he's been OK for the Suns, but appears to be declining (like players his age generally do). His BPM, PER, TS+, and WS/48 are all near career lows outside of his first two seasons. The Suns are not likely to make the second round and have a decent chance of missing the playoffs and I would imagine their lack of options (due to Beal, a lack of picks, and the second apron) will force them to trade Durant or Booker. If they were to trade Durant, which teams would be a good fit (in terms of both wanting Durant and Durant wanting to join them) and what could the Suns get for Durant?

The Suns won't get anything close to what they paid for him IMO. By this offseason KD will have another 1.5 years of wear on him and has already shown some signs of decline as you note. Plus, teams know the Suns are dealing from a position of weakness because they have no meaningful options to re-tool their roster other than to trade KD (or Booker).

They'd still get a nice haul for him, but something more like Julius Randle plus some role players and 2-3 1sts.

gswhoops wrote:The Suns won't get anything close to what they paid for him IMO. By this offseason KD will have another 1.5 years of wear on him and has already shown some signs of decline as you note. Plus, teams know the Suns are dealing from a position of weakness because they have no meaningful options to re-tool their roster other than to trade KD (or Booker).

They'd still get a nice haul for him, but something more like Julius Randle plus some role players and 2-3 1sts.

There is also the fact that KD will have a reputation of someone who'll likely ask to bolt away quickly if things don't turn out perfect so that'll deter a lot of GMs from trading too many assets for him.

He just needs another 70 win team.

If Mitchell really wants to play with Durant, I think a Garland+Mobley for Durant trade has some potential... Have to do that if you're the Suns.

Would be fun to see him back in OKC.

Something around Giddey + picks + cap space.

HadAnEffectHere wrote:If Mitchell really wants to play with Durant, I think a Garland+Mobley for Durant trade has some potential... Have to do that if you're the Suns.

That’s a wild overpay from Cleveland

gswhoops wrote:

HadAnEffectHere wrote:If Mitchell really wants to play with Durant, I think a Garland+Mobley for Durant trade has some potential... Have to do that if you're the Suns.

That’s a wild overpay from Cleveland

Probably, this is an "only if Mitchell won't extend but would if they get Durant" trade.

Can Philly's all in offer get him?

What other teams would give up good fits with Booker for cap relief and Philly's picks?

HadAnEffectHere wrote:

gswhoops wrote:

HadAnEffectHere wrote:If Mitchell really wants to play with Durant, I think a Garland+Mobley for Durant trade has some potential... Have to do that if you're the Suns.

That’s a wild overpay from Cleveland

Probably, this is an "only if Mitchell won't extend but would if they get Durant" trade.

It's a never. In that scenario, you trade Mitchell.

wegotthabeet wrote:Would be fun to see him back in OKC.

Something around Giddey + picks + cap space.

To Suns: Towns

To OKC: KD

To Wolves: Wallace + Dieng + Picks

HadAnEffectHere wrote:

gswhoops wrote:

HadAnEffectHere wrote:If Mitchell really wants to play with Durant, I think a Garland+Mobley for Durant trade has some potential... Have to do that if you're the Suns.

That’s a wild overpay from Cleveland

Probably, this is an "only if Mitchell won't extend but would if they get Durant" trade.

In that scenario my guess is Cleveland would rather build around a 24 y/o Garland and a 22 y/o Mobley than sell the farm for a 36 y/o Durant.

The on court fit in OKC is so perfect it's sickening. But I do not think there's going to be a reconciliation between KD and OKC until he retires.

Wolveswin wrote:

wegotthabeet wrote:Would be fun to see him back in OKC.

Something around Giddey + picks + cap space.

To Suns: Towns

To OKC: KD

To Wolves: Wallace + Dieng + Picks

Not bad. I wouldn’t give up Wallace though if were OKC. If the cost is Giddey + picks I’d do that because they or someone needs to pay Giddey. Then they would have two full seasons with KD. He would expire right when Chet and Jalen are due for max deals.

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:The on court fit in OKC is so perfect it's sickening. But I do not think there's going to be a reconciliation between KD and OKC until he retires.

Never say never.

SGA
Dort (Wallace)
Jalen
Durant
Chet

Looks like the best hypothetical lineup in the league to me.

KD really should have been better than he actually was. 7ft with guard skills and a pure jumpshot. He could have been the GOAT just didn't have that mindset.

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:The on court fit in OKC is so perfect it's sickening. But I do not think there's going to be a reconciliation between KD and OKC until he retires.

Golden State is in a similar boat on both fronts.

The teams that I think would be the best fits for a KD trade IMO:

Knicks - Randle, Hart, picks
Wolves - KAT
Pelicans - Ingram, Nance, picks(?)
Grizz - Smart/Kennard/Clarke/#6/additional picks(?)

If Denver has a disappointing playoff run would they consider MPJ/Gordon for KD? I'm not sure either side does it but the implications are intriguing.

All his numbers show that he's having a great season but man when i watch the suns i just dont see it translating to winning. I dont how to explain it and i have no data to back this up but his stats just feel emptyish when i watch them. More often than not when i watch them i come away thinking Nurkic is the 2nd most impactful sun behind Booker

balsamic_ducks wrote:All his numbers show that he's having a great season but man when i watch the suns i just dont see it translating to winning. I dont how to explain it and i have no data to back this up but his stats just feel emptyish when i watch them. More often than not when i watch them i come away thinking Nurkic is the 2nd most impactful sun behind Booker

Ehh, the stats say he's having the third worst season of his career. His midrange jumpshot shooting %s are down by a lot and so is his free throw rate. He's just not getting nearly as easy of looks from midrange and can't get to the line as much.

I don’t see a player being available that makes Phoenix voluntarily trade KD?

If he demands out, he can’t really get traded to most of the teams you’d assume he would want to go to due to the second apron and his contract..

KAT isn’t realistic, but might be the most realistic. Not sure Minn will be under the second apron or KD wants to play in Minnesota. I always wanted Rudy/KD though..

Atlanta seems to be able to make a KD offer and works as a third team?

Victor/KD pairing seems fun if we are just throwing ideas. SAS has cap space and nonnegative contracts.. has the assets to add KD and another star this offseason