RealGM

Just for fun right? Assuming it keeps Giannis happy in Milwaukee where I’d like to see him stay?

Toronto: Ingram, RJ, 9th
Toronto: Durant, Connaughton, Livingston

Toronto gets KD to try and push their kids development. Cleans up the roster fit a lot and doesn’t trade future picks in case Barnes/IQ are worth retooling around in 2-3 years (or not).. It’s very salary neutral first year once you factor in the lottery pick.

Milwaukee: Kuzma, Connaughton, Livingston, Smith, Jackson, 2031 first top 6 protected (2x)
Milwaukee: Ingram

Milwaukee stacks contracts to match Ingram without hard capping themselves at the first apron. Can keep Brolo and use taxMLE on some guard and hope Dame is back for the playoffs. Ingram isn’t a first option or a reliable second one but everyone looks better playing off Giannis.

Phoenix: KD
Phoenix: Kuzma, RJ Barrett, Smith, Jackson, 9th, 2031 first top 6 protected (2x)

Phoenix manages to get a lottery pick and another first for KD by taking on some questionable money. Maybe they trade some of their lower end assets to upgrade the roster. Maybe they just trade Grayson for a big and keep Tyus and see how the season plays out.

Early edits?

- would like to better for Toronto to use their early second to dump Connaughton so they can use their MLE. Or they could trade Connaughton with their 2026 first for a better use of the salary slot.

- Phoenix should definitely be offering RJ+Cleveland first for almost any big in the league. For fun, I’d call Utah and offer RJ, Kuzma, vet mins, 2028 eh first and the Mil first for Lauri. Draft a big at 9th.

Ooh I was working on this very problem so love seeing jayjaysee tackle it.

I think Phoenix should strongly consider something like this. I do not think Phoenix would strongly consider something like this. I mean that's just bleak player return that doesn't fit them at all. Not sure they can do enough with the assets to fix it to compete around Booker. And the asset return would be pretty hard to sell.

Obviously Raptors should love this get out of jail free play that only costs them a mid lotto.

And BI is a big health gamble, but if Giannis will say, you have to try stuff.

Phoenix is my biggest doubt here.

Texas Chuck wrote:Ooh I was working on this very problem so love seeing jayjaysee tackle it.

I think Phoenix should strongly consider something like this. I do not think Phoenix would strongly consider something like this. I mean that's just bleak player return that doesn't fit them at all. Not sure they can do enough with the assets to fix it to compete around Booker. And the asset return would be pretty hard to sell.

Obviously Raptors should love this get out of jail free play that only costs them a mid lotto.

And BI is a big health gamble, but if Giannis will say, you have to try stuff.

Phoenix is my biggest doubt here.

Yeah, I figured Phoenix was a problem but didn’t want a 5~ team trade. The value is really good imo, just makes for an ugly roster.

Lauri for Kuzma, RJ, 2028 first, 2031 Milwaukee first? Add in 29th if Ainge wants/needs?

Phoenix still ends up with 9th to draft whichever center.

I bet Durant wouldn't like it.

nomansland wrote:I bet Durant wouldn't like it.

he will like ti fine if toronto gives him a 2 yr max extension

nomansland wrote:I bet Durant wouldn't like it.

Yeah, no idea if Toronto makes KD’s list.

There’s plenty of reason to doubt Toronto’s young guys.. But the fit with Poeltl, Barnes, Dick, IQ is really great..

Godaddycurse wrote:

nomansland wrote:I bet Durant wouldn't like it.

he will like ti fine if toronto gives him a 2 yr max extension

Depends a bit on how many teams would be willing to also do that. Jimmy struggled to find one after the Suns weren't an option, but managed to get his money in the end. I think KD will find it much easier to get his.

That said I agree with jay that the team makes way more sense after a trade like this, its a big cosmopolitan city, and I think they are competitive. I don't have any inside knowledge on preferred KD destinations but Toronto feels feasible to me.

IQ-Ochai-KD-Barnes-Poeltl is a great fitting SL. You'd need some progression from Barnes and the kids, and a trade to shore up FC depth, but i like it on court.

I would hate to hand a 2 year extension though and be holding onto KD when he's 39 and 40. Lebron is 1 of 1. I have no confidence that KD's gonna be playing >60 games and giving good production at that age, but he'll still be taking a third of the salary cap. Though i guess any team trading for KD has o accept eating those years as part of the calculation

If it keeps Giannis, Mil would and should do it. PHX, while not getting good players, replenishes some picks, so I see their side as well.

WOuld KD be ok going North though?

Yeah I'd probably do this if I'm the Bucks. Although it would certainly be weird for Masai to trade for Ingram/give him that extension only to immediately turn around and trade him before he ever suits up for the Raptors. But if they're really committed to winning this season, I guess you just take the better player.

Godaddycurse wrote:

nomansland wrote:I bet Durant wouldn't like it.

he will like ti fine if toronto gives him a 2 yr max extension

I've tossed around the idea of something around Allen for Durant, but if he's going full Butler, I'd be out. I just don't see how you can justify committing 35% of the cap to him at that age.