Knicks/Rockets/Suns w/Nets and Jazz
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 3:24 pm
So there are rumors that KD is interested in NY, Ny is not interested in KD. We also know Booker is interested in playing with KAT so here's the best thing for all parties...
Knicks:
Trade KAT, get back Sungun, Lockdale, Whitmore
note: sign Michael Malone for HC
Rationale: Depth was a weakness last season, also a hesitation to use the depth we had. While Lockdale is not exactly a world beater, he is a depth piece. Whitmore is a player I really just like and with the Nova flavor will blend well with the guys we have to being energy and speed (which we were lacking in the front court). What better HC to have to best use Sengun's skill set than the guy who was coaching Jokic?
Suns:
Swap out KD for KAT.
Rationale:
Get younger, KAT is a legit max player under contract. Booker wants to play with his friend. This does not solve the Beal problem, but it at least puts someone at the 5 and now Suns can shop for more easy-to-fill pieces.
Rockets:
Trade Sengun, Lockdale, Whitmore, Sheppard, #10
get KD, #5
Rationale: Rockets have some interest in KD, seem to not be interested in returning Suns picks. I needed to add Sheppards salary to make the trade work (trying to not touch the rotation guys as much as I can avoid), and it worked out that I think I can get #5 this year out of that (plus #10). The plan here is to take that Duke kid Maluach. The C rotation could be Adams/Maluach (or go small and spacey with Smith).
Nets:
Trade #8, get Reed Sheppard
Rationale: Shep was #3 last year, showed great signs during the summer, but ultimately was not part of the stable rotation. More of a true play-maker, would be a good fit with other players on the team, notably a shooter like Cam Johnson and a rim runner like Claxton.
Jazz trade #5, get #8 and #10
Rationale: For me, the only player who might make me blink at this trade is Fears. That kid has major upside despite being small. No other sure things, so getting two similar swings with #8 and #10 for the rebuilding club to me makes the most sense.
*notes: There is probably an iteration here where Rockets wind up with WK instead of #5, but then they would need to get more back because I have Shep > WK in terms of value at the moment.
Knicks:
Trade KAT, get back Sungun, Lockdale, Whitmore
note: sign Michael Malone for HC
Rationale: Depth was a weakness last season, also a hesitation to use the depth we had. While Lockdale is not exactly a world beater, he is a depth piece. Whitmore is a player I really just like and with the Nova flavor will blend well with the guys we have to being energy and speed (which we were lacking in the front court). What better HC to have to best use Sengun's skill set than the guy who was coaching Jokic?
Suns:
Swap out KD for KAT.
Rationale:
Get younger, KAT is a legit max player under contract. Booker wants to play with his friend. This does not solve the Beal problem, but it at least puts someone at the 5 and now Suns can shop for more easy-to-fill pieces.
Rockets:
Trade Sengun, Lockdale, Whitmore, Sheppard, #10
get KD, #5
Rationale: Rockets have some interest in KD, seem to not be interested in returning Suns picks. I needed to add Sheppards salary to make the trade work (trying to not touch the rotation guys as much as I can avoid), and it worked out that I think I can get #5 this year out of that (plus #10). The plan here is to take that Duke kid Maluach. The C rotation could be Adams/Maluach (or go small and spacey with Smith).
Nets:
Trade #8, get Reed Sheppard
Rationale: Shep was #3 last year, showed great signs during the summer, but ultimately was not part of the stable rotation. More of a true play-maker, would be a good fit with other players on the team, notably a shooter like Cam Johnson and a rim runner like Claxton.
Jazz trade #5, get #8 and #10
Rationale: For me, the only player who might make me blink at this trade is Fears. That kid has major upside despite being small. No other sure things, so getting two similar swings with #8 and #10 for the rebuilding club to me makes the most sense.
*notes: There is probably an iteration here where Rockets wind up with WK instead of #5, but then they would need to get more back because I have Shep > WK in terms of value at the moment.