KD to Hou

[pipfan]

This makes sense to me-Hou goes for the Finals, but keeps enough young talent
Suns reset

KD for Smith, Sheppard, salaries and the Suns picks back

Suns add some young talent and get a few picks back (the swaps are complicated, not sure how'd work)

Hou goes with FVV/Green/Brooks/KD/Seguin and becomes a real contender, still having Eason, Thompson and Whitmore as young studs

[MasterIchiro]

I think this is the framework. Suns might be a slightly better team given more depth. If they can recoup draft assets they can make small upgrades in trades and benefit from internal improvements - Jabari, Reed, Dunn around Booker. Looks viable on paper but the West is unkind. They are treadmill through the 3 years remaining with Beal.

On the Rockets' side, they're the best chance for KD to win. The Celtics, Cavs, and Thunder wouldn't trade for him. Houston is the top team for KD. They really need a go-to scorer.

[Frankie]

Trading for KD you are forcing the young core who might not be ready yet into a pressurised win right now situation. This team hasn't even tasted the playoffs yet. We're not ready for this kind of all-in move, especially not a ring chasing 36 year old.

Giving the Suns all their picks back for KD seems like a bad short-sighted move. Booker is who we should be targeting with those picks. He is 8 years younger than KD and plays a position we have consistently gotten inconsistent production from.

Rockets FO have been really patient so far in not making any hasty moves that will mess up what they've built the last 3 years. Trading for KD seems to go against everything they've been preaching and everything they've done during the rebuild.

[LarsV8]

That's a Booker deal, not a Durant one.

[wemby]

I think it's an overpay at Durant's age, Suns should do it but Rockets should pass.

[MasterIchiro]

Rockets should definitely not pass on a missing piece. They're the lone contender who doesn't have a go-to scorer for closing time in the playoffs. That's going to handicap their chances and KD is a missing piece. You pay the premium.

[pipfan]

Thought it might be a bit too much, but Sheppard's value has dropped I think

I understand Hou waiting, but you never know. They keep their top young guys and still have picks to play with, so it might be a worthwhile gamble

[JeffFosters]

Rockets should definitely not pass on a missing piece. They're the lone contender who doesn't have a go-to scorer for closing time in the playoffs. That's going to handicap their chances and KD is a missing piece. You pay the premium.

I agree. The rockets are horrible at creating offense late in a game, KD fixes that immediately. You just never know how long the window will be open, Houston’s is and they should go for it.

[SA37]

I can understand the Rockets passing on Butler, but you can't pass on Durant who seems to have at least another 2 prime years left.

[Xman]

Posted this in Butler thread yesterday:
If PHX decided to pivot a little. After this deal, they have the draft assets to turn Nurkic or other flotsam into players it desires.

PHX gets Butler, picks.
- picks = (note that the protections can be negotiated or removed) - Right to swap worst of 2025 Uta/CLE/MINN for best of HOU/BKN/PHX first with top three protection; 2027 Best of HOU/BKN/PHX/DAL first with top three protection; 2029 Best of HOU/BKN/PHX/DAL first with top three protection: from NO, best of MIL/NO 2025 first, protected 10/10/10/10/ext.; seconds worst of ORL/NO 2030&2031, 2027 CHI protected.

Hou gets KD

MIA gets Ingram, JRobinson-Earl and CJ

NO gets DRob, expirings (Landale, JeffGreen, Tate), Holiday, Sheppard, Whitmore.
- sends picks; (Best of MIL/NO 2025 first, protected 10/10/10/10 ext.; seconds worst of ORL/NO 2030&2031, 2027 CHI protected).

MIA gets two quality players to make a run.

PHX pivots to Butler but gets picks. Those 2025&27 picks are best of four teams so could be high.

NO adds two high quality prospects in Sheppard and Whitmore. Also, saves $10 mil now and clears cap space for next year. Costs a protected first and the bad seconds they still have. Also, dumps Ingram (who is not resigning) - and CJ who is older and easily replaced with Murray.
pg - Murray, Alvarado
pg - Sheppard, Whitmore, Hawkins, (DRob - can be waived for $9.8)
sf - TMurphy, Herb
pf - Zion
c - Missi, Matkovic

HOU adds a stud and keeps veterans along with top prospects.
pg - Vleet
sg - Amen, JalenG
sf - Brooks, Eason
pf - KD, Jabari
c - Sengun, Adams

[durantbird]

Do Houston become contenders? Yes.

Will they actually win the championship? No.

So I think I'll pass from a Houston standpoint. I'd rather build and improve the core patiently. The fit is good in theory, but it doesn't REALLY make sense.

I get that KD want to ring chase and change scenery. But maybe just prove yourself in Pheonix.

[Xman]

[quote="durantbird"]Do Houston become contenders? Yes.

Will they actually win the championship? No.

So I think I'll pass from a Houston standpoint. I'd rather build and improve the core patiently. The fit is good in theory, but it doesn't REALLY make sense.

I get that KD want to ring chase and change scenery. But maybe just prove yourself in Pheonix.[/quote]

Used to feel that way. Amen’s emergence has changed my mind.

KD/Vleet/Brooks with sengun Amen Eason is strong. Add in Jabari and Jalen. That lineup has a strong chance at a ring. Good mix of veterans and young talent.

[MasterIchiro]

Thought it might be a bit too much, but Sheppard's value has dropped I think

I understand Hou waiting, but you never know. They keep their top young guys and still have picks to play with, so it might be a worthwhile gamble

Honestly, your proposal is more than fair for a superstar playoff performer with championship pedigree.

If anything, Rockets should be thrilled to retain Thompson and Eason.

I have Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith, and Reed Sheppard all going out.

Perhaps Houston can preserve the later Suns 1st but 2 firsts is fair, even if 1 of them is the Suns 2025 lottery ticket returned.

This is not like Luka where the Lakers were given preferential treatment and exclusivity (at command of Luka I suspect who wanted to play for his former teammate Redick while being starstruck by LeBron who was considered the best player in the NBA as Luka was learning the game).

The market for Durant is fiercely competitive.

[balsamic_ducks]

Their core is too young to use assets on a 36 year old Durant. Booker sure.

[facothomas22]

This is the trade the Suns would be looking for if they were to trade Kevin Durant. A package that would help them get their picks back. For the Rockets, they would have a legit 1st option on offense and they would keep most of their defense intact depending on the salaries that get sent out. Get why the Rockets may say no to this in part due to Kevin Durant older age and possibly having some chemistry issues having to adjust to play with a star mid season However most of the young would kept in this trade,which something that may not happen with younger stars.

[BrianInPhilly]

They should make the move if available … they got what 7-8 young pieces apparently their whole fan base if reluctant to trade though lol. Better to consolidate now, will lose a couple of them anyway in a couple years

[reamily]

Houston is talented yet flawed team.. sengun undersized, below average ft shooter/ defender.. amen raw handles non shooter.jalen green inconsistent unagressive player ( doesnt really want to mix it up due to his frame makes his fta very inconsistent)..

[LarsV8]

Can't think of a more short sided move for a team with a core all under 23.

This puts a major dent in your asset pool, and slams your contender window shut before most of your guys even reach their peak.

If they wanted a move like this, they could simply trade for Butler at a tenth of the cost, while still keeping most of their assets.

Its very possible we can't find the right consolidation move before the young guys get too expensive, but in that scenario, you sell them off for future picks and extend the asset, not squander them away for a dumb all in move. We have already watched Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, Minnesota, and too a lesser extent Milwaukee make these silly all in trades and now sit in the danger zone of their stars asking out.

[Slim Charless]

That's a Booker deal, not a Durant one.

With Booker, you'll need to give up Jalen Green+ or Sengun or Amen Thompson tho. With this deal, you keep those guys.

OP has a good framework of the trade for KD.

[LarsV8]

With Booker, you'll need to give up Jalen Green+ or Sengun or Amen Thompson tho. With this deal, you keep those guys.

OP has a good framework of the trade for KD.

Under new CBA, wouldn't be able have both Green and Booker salaries at the same time. He obviously has to go out in a Booker deal.

The OP's deal is a massive overpay, its not happening.