RealGM

What do you think is realistic to make it happen? Which players get moved, which picks?

There is no way he could/should go to POR. He will have the greatest value to near-contenders that might think he could be the difference maker for them (HOU maybe?).

The only deal that works financially that doesn't create total roster chaos would be Butler (+assets) for KD, and I don't think either team would be interested in pursuing that.

KD can't be your best player if you trying to win a championship so his suitors are limited imo. Otherwise you just trading for him and not a real threat. Brooklyn/PHX found out the hard way.

Could Denver get something done with MPJ/1st round pick lol?

Dallas somehow actually feels the most likely, but I don’t like it. PJ, Gafford, Klay, 2025 first. Need to include another 7-10 million in salary. Options on how. And some feel another first. I don’t think it’s needed if PJ/Gafford are included.

I think if Miami keeps their pick, you start looking at Terry, Duncan, and the two 2025 firsts? Can include more salary (Anderson), can include a Jovic if necessary.

Feels like a deal there and owing an unprotected 2026 first might build some urgency..

JustBuzzin wrote:KD can't be your best player if you trying to win a championship so his suitors are limited imo. Otherwise you just trading for him and not a real threat. Brooklyn/PHX found out the hard way.

Could Denver get something done with MPJ/1st round pick lol?

MPJ + Nnaji + Saric plus any minimum contract is enough to avoid capping Denver at the first apron (which they absolutely cannot do with Jokic, KD, and Murray each making north of $50M and Gordon making north of $30M).

I don't see the appeal for Phoenix though unless they're just looking to recoup something for KD.

EDIT: I do like Denver as a KD destination; if it happens, I think the deal ends up looking something like this:

KD to Denver
MPJ, Nnaji, Braun, DEN 2031 1st to Phoenix
Saric, cash/2nds to third team via cap space/MLE

Denver would be hard capped at the second apron (aggregating salaries); Phoenix's apron status would be unaffected.

jay nailed it. Those three are definitely in. Then Phoenix probably asks for Marshall, Dallas tries to insist on Powell/Hardy, and maybe they settle on Martin? Haggle over what else Dallas owes asset wise.

I don't know if Dallas is the favorite, but they certainly figure to be one of the teams in the mix. Kyrie and AD are likely draws for AD and we know Dallas is thinking very short term atm.

Cade
Ivey
Ausur
KD
Duren

Obviously it's based around Tobias as salary filler + and future picks.

The Bulls can't even match the salary without giving up 5 players

Vucevic, Carter, White, Dosunmu, Huerter, Collins are all expiring contracts, is that what they're looking for? Maybe they like Patrick Williams in a wide open offense. The Bulls have to keep Buzelis and their pick or they haven't got anything looking like a team around KD.

Can't be CHI

It won't happen, but Hartenstein/Dort works for money in the offseason. Add your choice of value on top.

They'd probably ask for at least JDub or Chet.

Again: not happening, but OKC's one of the teams that can get there pretty comfortably.

jayjaysee wrote:Dallas somehow actually feels the most likely, but I don’t like it. PJ, Gafford, Klay, 2025 first. Need to include another 7-10 million in salary. Options on how. And some feel another first. I don’t think it’s needed if PJ/Gafford are included.

I think if Miami keeps their pick, you start looking at Terry, Duncan, and the two 2025 firsts? Can include more salary (Anderson), can include a Jovic if necessary.

Feels like a deal there and owing an unprotected 2026 first might build some urgency..

Why do you think PJ/Gafford are deal breakers? Dallas still has Lively and AD as bigs, and KD would take over PJs minutes. The Mavericks would be a bit thin, but a couple of shrewed minimum contracts from being the favorites in the West IMO.

I think Dallas and OKC are the favorites to land KD.

Andre Roberstan wrote:It won't happen, but Hartenstein/Dort works for money in the offseason. Add your choice of value on top.

They'd probably ask for at least JDub or Chet.

Again: not happening, but OKC's one of the teams that can get there pretty comfortably.

I'd do Harty and Dort, if you threw in that Philly pick. Maybe Topic as well.

Andre Roberstan wrote:It won't happen, but Hartenstein/Dort works for money in the offseason. Add your choice of value on top.

They'd probably ask for at least JDub or Chet.

Again: not happening, but OKC's one of the teams that can get there pretty comfortably.

I know this idea wouldn’t happen due to old times, but I really love it.

Probably just a bad version?

But I’d go Caruso, Dort, Joe. Throw in Dieng to stay under the tax for the one year run. Probably over shoots the matching by a million or so, but Phoenix likely wants a third team there anyways.

It’s just a year anyways probably due to tax cost, but keep Hartenstein. Start whichever of Wiggins, Cason. Believe in Topic or other young guys..

Mr Puddles wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:Dallas somehow actually feels the most likely, but I don’t like it. PJ, Gafford, Klay, 2025 first. Need to include another 7-10 million in salary. Options on how. And some feel another first. I don’t think it’s needed if PJ/Gafford are included...

Why do you think PJ/Gafford are deal breakers? Dallas still has Lively and AD as bigs, and KD would take over PJs minutes. The Mavericks would be a bit thin, but a couple of shrewed minimum contracts from being the favorites in the West IMO.

I think Dallas and OKC are the favorites to land KD.

Oh definitely not deal breakers and that is not what I said really..

Just don’t think Phoenix gets two firsts if the matching salary is as good as PJ/Gafford.

And I acknowledged that some do feel Dallas owes the 2029 LAL pick as well as their 2025 first.

I just don’t think that’s the case at all.

jayjaysee wrote:

Mr Puddles wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:Dallas somehow actually feels the most likely, but I don’t like it. PJ, Gafford, Klay, 2025 first. Need to include another 7-10 million in salary. Options on how. And some feel another first. I don’t think it’s needed if PJ/Gafford are included...

Why do you think PJ/Gafford are deal breakers? Dallas still has Lively and AD as bigs, and KD would take over PJs minutes. The Mavericks would be a bit thin, but a couple of shrewed minimum contracts from being the favorites in the West IMO.

I think Dallas and OKC are the favorites to land KD.

Oh definitely not deal breakers and that is not what I said really..

Just don’t think Phoenix gets two firsts if the matching salary is as good as PJ/Gafford.

And I acknowledged that some do feel Dallas owes the 2029 LAL pick as well as their 2025 first.

I just don’t think that’s the case at all.

I see what you mean now, that's fair enough. I can see the key haggling point for a deal being one or two firsts.

ChettheJet wrote:Can't be CHI

Pretty much. No deal makes sense. Maybe if we still had LaVine and the Suns didn't have Booker. Or another team was as crazy as the Kings.

We would have to offer something around Siakam, which would be something I could be interested in, especially if we lost Turner and needed more spacing on the Wing.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:We would have to offer something around Siakam, which would be something I could be interested in, especially if we lost Turner and needed more spacing on the Wing.

This is a really interesting dark horse that I never thought of honestly.

Pascal gives Booker a long term partner.

KD gives Indy a 1-2 year upgrade and the team is more affordable long term.

louc1970 wrote:What do you think is realistic to make it happen? Which players get moved, which picks?

I don't want to make yet another KD thread, but I'm interested to see what the board thinks... can you add a poll to OP asking which team KD will play for in 2025-26?

I guess the most sensible poll options are...

Mavericks
Nuggets
Warriors
Rockets
Heat
Timberwolves
Thunder
Kings
Spurs
Other

jayjaysee wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:We would have to offer something around Siakam, which would be something I could be interested in, especially if we lost Turner and needed more spacing on the Wing.

This is a really interesting dark horse that I never thought of honestly.

Pascal gives Booker a long term partner.

KD gives Indy a 1-2 year upgrade and the team is more affordable long term.

i dont think thats an upgrade for Indy though.

Makes me chuckle though at all the people who said Siakam on a max wasn't positive value last year