Kevin Durant

[TimberKat]

I assume some other team would out bid us. But if they did not, LaMelo is an interesting risk. On the one hand he raises both the floor and ceiling of the team. On the other hand LaMelo has missed 86 games in the last 3 including so far in this one. The best ability is availability and LaMelo is frequently unavailable. If the package is Naz, Randle, Dilly, and the first, Randle is 31 million off the books, Naz probably would have cost 25-30, and Dilly costs 6.5. Although now that I think about it, Naz would have to opt in as I don’t think you can aggregate in a sign and trade. Can anyone weigh in on that? Honestly I probably would not make this trade because of LaMelo’s injury issues, but it is intriguing.

Yes, that injury risk is also why CHA maybe willing. I am betting on LaMelo playing with higher quality players will reduce the risk of injury.

He's a 32 MPG player. And he doesn't really play a reckless style (no defense and half his FGAs are 3s).

I think the Ball brothers were worked way too hard, way too often by their dad while they were still developing and its always going to be a problem. They're fragile.

I realize that I was one of the biggest "get Lonzo" guys on here, but his cost/risk is so much lower than LaMelo's. And you're getting him to be a complimentary player, not one of your Big 2 or 3.

It's funny that I am one of the biggest get KD to replace Towns guy ( or even trade Towns for KD), a large part will be determined by who do we need to give up for KD or Ball.

[winforlose]

Yes, that injury risk is also why CHA maybe willing. I am betting on LaMelo playing with higher quality players will reduce the risk of injury.

He's a 32 MPG player. And he doesn't really play a reckless style (no defense and half his FGAs are 3s).

I think the Ball brothers were worked way too hard, way too often by their dad while they were still developing and its always going to be a problem. They're fragile.

I realize that I was one of the biggest "get Lonzo" guys on here, but his cost/risk is so much lower than LaMelo's. And you're getting him to be a complimentary player, not one of your Big 2 or 3.

It's funny that I am one of the biggest get KD to replace Towns guy ( or even trade Towns for KD), a large part will be determined by who do we need to give up for KD or Ball.

Again, I have to ask why we need a splashy trade? We have Ant, Jaden, and Naz all growing towards their primes. We have two more years of DDV who is a very nice 6th man. We have NAW, Clark, Shannon, and Dilly all of whom seem like they could be part of a winner. Small moves and development seem like the best way to progress at this point. Do you really think Ant next year will be the guy who doesn’t make the same mistakes and is ready to win a chip? If not, any splash trade is by its very nature counterproductive.

[TimberKat]

He's a 32 MPG player. And he doesn't really play a reckless style (no defense and half his FGAs are 3s).

I think the Ball brothers were worked way too hard, way too often by their dad while they were still developing and its always going to be a problem. They're fragile.

I realize that I was one of the biggest "get Lonzo" guys on here, but his cost/risk is so much lower than LaMelo's. And you're getting him to be a complimentary player, not one of your Big 2 or 3.

It's funny that I am one of the biggest get KD to replace Towns guy ( or even trade Towns for KD), a large part will be determined by who do we need to give up for KD or Ball.

Again, I have to ask why we need a splashy trade? We have Ant, Jaden, and Naz all growing towards their primes. We have two more years of DDV who is a very nice 6th man. We have NAW, Clark, Shannon, and Dilly all of whom seem like they could be part of a winner. Small moves and development seem like the best way to progress at this point. Do you really think Ant next year will be the guy who doesn’t make the same mistakes and is ready to win a chip? If not, any splash trade is by its very nature counterproductive.

We don't have good PG play and that's our most need in a Finch offense. Conley is done as a starter (if not this year, will be next year). I don't see Dilly ready to take the starting job and is still a work in progress. KD looks like he aged 10 years in this afternoon's game vs Lakers. Trading for Ball is for long term. He is the same age as Ant. It's precisely that Ant will still make the same mistakes, that is why I want an all star level PG.

KD trade would be that short term vision and really depends on what we need to give up and we may still have issue at PG

[winforlose]

It's funny that I am one of the biggest get KD to replace Towns guy ( or even trade Towns for KD), a large part will be determined by who do we need to give up for KD or Ball.

Again, I have to ask why we need a splashy trade? We have Ant, Jaden, and Naz all growing towards their primes. We have two more years of DDV who is a very nice 6th man. We have NAW, Clark, Shannon, and Dilly all of whom seem like they could be part of a winner. Small moves and development seem like the best way to progress at this point. Do you really think Ant next year will be the guy who doesn’t make the same mistakes and is ready to win a chip? If not, any splash trade is by its very nature counterproductive.

We don't have good PG play and that's our most need in a Finch offense. Conley is done as a starter (if not this year, will be next year). I don't see Dilly ready to take the starting job and is still a work in progress. KD looks like he aged 10 years in this afternoon's game vs Lakers. Trading for Ball is for long term. He is the same age as Ant. It's precisely that Ant will still make the same mistakes, that is why I want an all star level PG.

KD trade would be that short term vision and really depends on what we need to give up and we may still have issue at PG

I do too, but I don’t know that Ball is that player. Injury issues, defense issues, high turnovers, and no playoff experience.

[Klomp]

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[BlacJacMac]

Suns need to move Booker and blow it up. He's not a #1 player, but he's paid like one and the Suns have no way to build a team around him.

Ideally for them, they trade with Houston to reclaim some of their own picks, but they need to do whatever they can to trade vets for picks.

[shrink]

Suns need to move Booker and blow it up. He's not a #1 player, but he's paid like one and the Suns have no way to build a team around him.

Ideally for them, they trade with Houston to reclaim some of their own picks, but they need to do whatever they can to trade vets for picks.

I agree, but it has to be hard to trade the guy that wants to be there, even when the ship is sinking. He gives their fans at least somebody to pin their hopes on, and the marketing department someone to hype.

The Suns need to rebuild not just their players, but their culture, and Booker could be part of it.

[BlacJacMac]

Suns need to move Booker and blow it up. He's not a #1 player, but he's paid like one and the Suns have no way to build a team around him.

Ideally for them, they trade with Houston to reclaim some of their own picks, but they need to do whatever they can to trade vets for picks.

I agree, but it has to be hard to trade the guy that wants to be there, even when the ship is sinking. He gives their fans at least somebody to pin their hopes on, and the marketing department someone to hype.

The Suns need to rebuild not just their players, but their culture, and Booker could be part of it.

I get that, but I struggle to see how. Beal isn't tradable. And I doubt they get anything near what they paid for Durant.

[TimberKat]

Suns need to move Booker and blow it up. He's not a #1 player, but he's paid like one and the Suns have no way to build a team around him.

Ideally for them, they trade with Houston to reclaim some of their own picks, but they need to do whatever they can to trade vets for picks.

I agree, but it has to be hard to trade the guy that wants to be there, even when the ship is sinking. He gives their fans at least somebody to pin their hopes on, and the marketing department someone to hype.

The Suns need to rebuild not just their players, but their culture, and Booker could be part of it.

The guy they need to move first is Beal. I just don't see which team will give them any value for him. Imagine it's Beal for Gobert, that immediately put them back in contention for two more years. Beal really kill them by veto the trade to Heat.

If Beal can't be moved. I hope they like picks + JMcD + Randle. Although it's complicated to make it work. But that will give them more depth and defense (with JMcD). I don't feel Jones moved the needle for them. They need players that plays quicker.

[BlacJacMac]

Suns need to move Booker and blow it up. He's not a #1 player, but he's paid like one and the Suns have no way to build a team around him.

Ideally for them, they trade with Houston to reclaim some of their own picks, but they need to do whatever they can to trade vets for picks.

I agree, but it has to be hard to trade the guy that wants to be there, even when the ship is sinking. He gives their fans at least somebody to pin their hopes on, and the marketing department someone to hype.

The Suns need to rebuild not just their players, but their culture, and Booker could be part of it.

The guy they need to move first is Beal. I just don't see which team will give them any value for him. Imagine it's Beal for Gobert, that immediately put them back in contention for two more years. Beal really kill them by veto the trade to Heat.

If Beal can't be moved. I hope they like picks + JMcD + Randle. Although it's complicated to make it work. But that will give them more depth and defense (with JMcD). I don't feel Jones moved the needle for them. They need players that plays quicker.

I would absolutely hate either of those trades for us.

[TimberKat]

I agree, but it has to be hard to trade the guy that wants to be there, even when the ship is sinking. He gives their fans at least somebody to pin their hopes on, and the marketing department someone to hype.

The Suns need to rebuild not just their players, but their culture, and Booker could be part of it.

The guy they need to move first is Beal. I just don't see which team will give them any value for him. Imagine it's Beal for Gobert, that immediately put them back in contention for two more years. Beal really kill them by veto the trade to Heat.

If Beal can't be moved. I hope they like picks + JMcD + Randle. Although it's complicated to make it work. But that will give them more depth and defense (with JMcD). I don't feel Jones moved the needle for them. They need players that plays quicker.

I would absolutely hate either of those trades for us.

To be clear, it's KD for picks + JMcD + Randle. I am hoping that means we keep Naz and NAW but money wise may still can only keep one. Just Randle + picks + Naz for KD would be a no brainer for me.

[shrink]

Beal said he might be more willing to accept a trade in the summer, when he had time to move his family. However, with an NTC, he’s the worst contract in the NBA, and would require incentive.

I agree getting off Beal should be a priority, but some of the assets to do it probably have to come from a KD trade.

[BlacJacMac]

The guy they need to move first is Beal. I just don't see which team will give them any value for him. Imagine it's Beal for Gobert, that immediately put them back in contention for two more years. Beal really kill them by veto the trade to Heat.

If Beal can't be moved. I hope they like picks + JMcD + Randle. Although it's complicated to make it work. But that will give them more depth and defense (with JMcD). I don't feel Jones moved the needle for them. They need players that plays quicker.

I would absolutely hate either of those trades for us.

To be clear, it's KD for picks + JMcD + Randle. I am hoping that means we keep Naz and NAW but money wise may still can only keep one. Just Randle + picks + Naz for KD would be a no brainer for me.

I understood. I'd happily pass on that.

[Neeva]

No way I trade Jaden (or Naz) for at best a two year rental of KD at the twilight of his career.

I think ultimately though it will come down to Suns deciding if they want Randall or Kuminga on a bloated contract that he will never be worth.

I think Houston and OKC will pass on KD and not want to mess up what they have.

[winforlose]

No way I trade Jaden (or Naz) for at best a two year rental of KD at the twilight of his career.

I think ultimately though it will come down to Suns deciding if they want Randall or Kuminga on a bloated contract that he will never be worth.

I think Houston and OKC will pass on KD and not want to mess up what they have.

The Suns are screwed. They want a haul for KD but he is 37 and expiring. They want positive value for Beal but he is a terrible contract made worse by a no trade clause. They don’t want to move Booker, but he has to know this team lacks draft capital, a competent FO, and a future. Booker needs to move and they need to blow it up. KD is a bad gamble given that any team who pays for him could A, have him leave after one year, B, have him demand 60 million to stay, or C, give him 60 million for two years and have him retire in the second year and be on the hook for all 60 against the cap. The only smart move with KD is to stay far away. Let him get unhappy and buyout, or let him leave in free agency and try to get him to value deal ring chase.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Kd shouldn't have much of a market. Phx may have been better off letting him go last trade deadline. His value has decreased a fair amount since then.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

I see Beal becoming the biggest buy out of the history! I don't want KD, we have Jaden, NAZ who are young and improving.
For me priority are a PG starter ( Mike should come from the bench and monitored guy before becoming coach) and a good back up C ( Rudy is getting older)

[minimus]

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[winforlose]

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37, expiring, eligible for a 60 million dollar deal in 26/27. You cannot bring him in without losing at least 4 players (show me the alternate math,) and it forces small ball. KD might be great somewhere else, or he might hit the age wall, or get hurt and be slow to heal. You don’t gamble on KD in our situation. Very high risk, very low reward unless you believe you are gonna win the chip in 25/26.

[TimberKat]

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37, expiring, eligible for a 60 million dollar deal in 26/27. You cannot bring him in without losing at least 4 players (show me the alternate math,) and it forces small ball. KD might be great somewhere else, or he might hit the age wall, or get hurt and be slow to heal. You don’t gamble on KD in our situation. Very high risk, very low reward unless you believe you are gonna win the chip in 25/26.

Wolves at $188M next year without NAW's contract. Randle+JMcD= KD =55M, Second apron like at 195M next year. So, if ownership willing, it can be done with most of core intact, could resign Naz. Otherwise would be Randle+NAZ+Conley. I like to keep DDV but not sure if Naz or JMcD to go forward, they both didn't have good season. We love Cinderella but its almost midnight for Naz and JMcD.