RealGM

Two separate trades...

Atlanta Hawks get:
Rudy Gobert

Minnesota Timberwolves get:
Onyeka Okongwu
Terance Mann
13th Overall Draft Pick

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Atlanta Hawks get:
Kevin Durant

Phoenix Suns get:
Jalen Johnson
Georges Niang
Kobe Bufkin
Dominick Barlow
22nd Overall Draft Pick

Why for the Suns: Jalen Johnson is probably one of the best players they could ask for out of a KD trade right now if they prefer to remain competitive versus a total teardown. They add a first round pick and also save money in the process.

Why for the Timberwolves: They split Gobert into more depth and some financial savings for negotiating with Naz Reid. The late lotto pick could be used as a nice building block piece to go with the young guys they have been adding.

Why for the Hawks: They go for it while the East looks wide open. Gobert would be able to hold enough down defensively that KD and Trae could flourish on the offensive side of the ball.

Hawks are probably overpaying for KD, and underpaying for Gobert.

Yeah can’t see anyway hawks giving locked up Jalen+ for 1 yr left of Durant.

As MIN fan I'd trade Gobert for Okongwu, Mann and 13th pick. This is similar to Towns for Randle, DDV and DET FRP trade for the same reason: it allows front office to be more flexible to operate under new CBA rules. But this requires some additional moves from MIN, because I don't see them playing same level of elite defense by replacing Gobert with Okongwu.

This is way too much for KD. Jalen wouldn't be in that trade. And certainly not adding value to it. Gobert trade seems fine, though Minny would be really taking a gamble since he's been so responsible for their recent success.

I have Jalen worth more than KD.

If Atlanta can get Rudy, I assume that’s all the all in they really go for. An elite defense, no major tax issues.. Whether it’s Caris or go find another guard to help the offense..

I think it could* be one trade though?

Rudy to Atl
KD and OO to Minnesota
Randle, 13th, 17th to Phoenix

Then play with the apron restrictions from there?

Maybe Mann to a fourth team, DDV to Atlanta, 22nd to Minnesota?

Jalen Johnson is the best player on the Hawks, and is 23 years old. Trading him for a 37 year old so they could win 40 games and stink in another year or two would be cause for banishment.

I could see the trade for Gobert, Minny probably does it as well, with that they can keep Reid, with ease and Mann can contribute, they probably use the pick to make another move too. The trade for KD though is harder to fix, Jalen Johnson has amazing upside

Young
Dyson
Zacha
Johnson
Gobert
is a respectable starting 5

I’m getting so tired of people ragging on Rudy because Ant can’t/won’t throw Rudy lobs, that I’d withstand the Wolves’ regression by enjoying seeing him catch lobs from an expert. Trae would look great with Rudy, and I love the yin-yang combo. Luka-Gobert would be dominating.

BigGargamel wrote:Jalen Johnson is the best player on the Hawks, and is 23 years old. Trading him for a 37 year old so they could win 40 games and stink in another year or two would be cause for banishment.

He's not the best player on the Hawks, mainly because he hasn't been healthy/consistently good enough.

The rest of your post is spot on tho. KD doesn't have this kind of value due to age+contract status+actual impact circa '26 and beyond.