KD Delivery: Markkanen the Spot

[bkohler]

JAZZ
In: Reed Sheppard / Jabari Smith Jr. / Dariq Whitehead
Out: Lauri Markkanen / MIN 25 FRP
With Lauri now extended at $45M/year, the Jazz sell high and retool around cheaper, younger assets. Jabari hasn’t hit, but he’s still just 21. Reed is a flier, and Whitehead’s a stash. They get some more young pieces to evaluate.

SUNS
In: Lauri Markkanen / MIN 25 FRP (21) / HOU 25 FRP (27)
Out: Kevin Durant

The KD/Book/Beal era ends with a whimper. This deal gives Phoenix a younger, cheaper star in Lauri, plus two late FRPs to kick-start a rebuild or facilitate future deals. Lauri fits better with Booker, and this gives them room to reshape the roster without a teardown.


ROCKETS
In: Kevin Durant
Out: Jalen Green / Jabari Smith Jr. / Reed Sheppard

Houston is the 2-seed, but Durant pushes them into title contention. Green’s been good, but inconsistent. Jabari has stagnated, and Sheppard hasn’t cracked the rotation. KD gives them elite scoring and experience without gutting their depth. If they want to win now, this is the move. They also avoid the paying Jabari conversation, keep all of their picks and still have plenty of youth.

NETS
In: Jalen Green
Out: Dariq Whitehead / HOU FRP (from Nets)

With cap space and four FRPs in this draft, the Nets consolidate and take a high-upside swing. Jalen Green gives them a dynamic scorer under team control, and the cost is minimal. A smart play for a team in no-man’s-land. Happy to swap out Whitehead for another player if needed.

[Godaddycurse]

green isn't worth that imo. It's also not much of team control of green (just 2 yrs). Nets shuold stay away from this

[jayjaysee]

I think Green isn’t worth this.

And Utah should be asking for future picks not current prospects imo. 2025 lottery pick, Cody, Taylor, George, Collier, Flip, Brice, etc.. Utah has a lot of mouths to feed/develop currently and unless it’s a proven piece I think they look for picks a year plus out.

I also really disagree with KD having two firsts more value than Lauri.

[Skybox]

I think it's well crafted...I don't see why UTA needs to add the frp or why PHX should expect too...Markannen vs Durant valuation isn't THAT far apart, imo - considering salary, age, injury history.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I like Green as, basically a FA signing for BRK (salary only-Whitehead isn't anything yet) and #27 in a draft where BRK has 6, 20, and 26 as well. They need to get rid of Cam Thomas now - can't have two of them

[Kiss of Death]

The Rockets aren't trading all of that for old Durant.

The offer would probably be something like FVV, Landale, Whitmore and the #9 pick.
Maybe a future protected Suns pick.

[MasterIchiro]

I believe the Suns will deconstruct but trade Booker and KD separately.

Also don't see tangling Lauri into this.

Big names tend to move separately because these players have stand alone value that can be realized directly between 2 trade parties.

I maintain the Rockets desperately need a go-to scorer so you're on the right track with Houston angling for one here. However, the rumors suggest the Rockets are more interested in Booker, and I would feel the same about him. He's more in line with their window as a recent breakout team.

KD is going to either Miami or LAL, in my opinion.

Lauri is more of a mystery. He doesn't have the standing to pound the table like KD where Durant can steer himself to preferred destinations. And Phoenix reportedly will work with KD on that.

If Charlotte is big-game hunting Zion, they could also be monitoring Lauri (both top options as scoring 4's). The Jazz have a long rebuild window so I do think they will flip Lauri.

I just can't see how the Nets even bother as they share a similar rebuild window with the Jazz. They are sellers. They will be looking to subtract desirable established players like Cam Johnson, not add them.

[jbk1234]

I don't know what the delta is between Cam Thomas and Green, but I suspect that the Nets can retain Cam on a cheaper deal than Green is on if the want that type of player. I have Green as topping out at nuetral value if the other team isn't able to send out equal salary.

There will be gobs of cap space in the summer of 2026, but this summer, the Nets are doing the Rockets a favor before you add the pick.

[LarsV8]

Easy no from Houston.

[cpower]

Durant pushes them into title contention......this is what breaks the deal. KD is not making nobody title contention...you get him for selling some tickets only

[hcsilla]

Good trade.

[bkohler]

green isn't worth that imo. It's also not much of team control of green (just 2 yrs). Nets shuold stay away from this

Do you have Green as negative value? Whitehead and #27 seems pretty low.

[bkohler]

The Rockets aren't trading all of that for old Durant.

The offer would probably be something like FVV, Landale, Whitmore and the #9 pick.
Maybe a future protected Suns pick.

Personally if that’s what the offer is I think I’d rather take that as UTA and find a third team who would give some value for Landale/FVV. I have Whitmore and #9 in this draft as valuable as Shepard and Jabari (who needs to be paid). If Jabari was extended on a reasonable deal it would change things.

[babyjax13]

I prefer the framework proposed by kchile of Green + 9/10 (whatever it ends up being) + Brooks with Brooks flipped to a third team. I like Smith, I dont really get Sheppard when we have a billion guards. I'd rather have a lottery pick than either, and I dont think there is a massive gap in value between 10 + Brooks and Smith + Sheppard for what we need, while there is a big gap between that and what Houston might like to give up. But I do like this three team combo and the core of Phoenix swapping Durant for Lauri.

[bkohler]

I prefer the framework proposed by kchile of Green + 9/10 (whatever it ends up being) + Brooks with Brooks flipped to a third team. I like Smith, I dont really get Sheppard when we have a billion guards. I'd rather have a lottery pick than either, and I dont think there is a massive gap in value between 10 + Brooks and Smith + Sheppard for what we need, while there is a big gap between that and what Houston might like to give up. But I do like this three team combo and the core of Phoenix swapping Durant for Lauri.

I personally had #9 > Shepard that’s why I included him. For Utah I get why adding more picks is appealing but I think attempting to have some ‘second draft’ guys blossom makes some sense. My preference would be Jabari + 9 personally. Let Jabari be the man for a season and see if he rises to the moment.

[LarsV8]

Neither Sheppard nor Jabari is on the table for anything in this deal.

This is a #9 or Whitmore deal.

[bkohler]

Neither Sheppard nor Jabari is on the table for anything in this deal.

This is a #9 or Whitmore deal.

I can understand not wanting to pay for Durant but you’re not getting Durant (even a 36 year old one) for just #9 or Whitmore.

[LarsV8]

I can understand not wanting to pay for Durant but you’re not getting Durant (even a 36 year old one) for just #9 or Whitmore.

I'm good with not getting Durant

[Godaddycurse]

green isn't worth that imo. It's also not much of team control of green (just 2 yrs). Nets shuold stay away from this

Do you have Green as negative value? Whitehead and #27 seems pretty low.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2446129&p=117565447&hilit=10+worst#p117565447

yes i have him as negative (as to many others)

[Godaddycurse]

Neither Sheppard nor Jabari is on the table for anything in this deal.

This is a #9 or Whitmore deal.

are you implying whitmore is worth pick 9..?

[bkohler]

green isn't worth that imo. It's also not much of team control of green (just 2 yrs). Nets shuold stay away from this

Do you have Green as negative value? Whitehead and #27 seems pretty low.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2446129&p=117565447&hilit=10+worst#p117565447

yes i have him as negative (as to many others)

Gotcha! I wasn’t aware he was in that territory.