Spurs could be scary with KD.

[bkkrh]

Durant will be 37 at the start of the season and is in the last year of his contract. The Spurs would be absolutely insane to trade Fox AND a pick for him.

KD won't sign a long term deal so it actually works for SAS for financial flexibility. Fox is the inferior player that will command a 5 year max deal, not KD.

Do not drink the Fox kool aid like SAC did. He is mediocre at best and not a winning player

Fox is also on an expiring and makes around 20 Million less than Durant. The Spurs will need to add another contract in the 12-15 Million range to even make the trade work. That's Harrison Barnes or Keldon Johnson. So they'd need to trade Fox + either another starter, or their 6th man to even make the trade work.

And again, Durant turns 37 amd had major injuries, he can drastically decline every season. If he plays great, what should the Spurs do? Resign him in hopes he doesn't decline the next year? What if he just walks because the team is still 1-2 years away from being a contender? SInce 18-19 he had exactly 1 season where he didn't miss a significant amount of games.

With Fox they still have the chance to explore trades next season if they feel it doesn't work out. He has a tradeable contract and there will be teams that will be interested in resigning him. Who will trade for an expiring Durant on a 54 Million contract, especially if he again struggles with injuries?

[bullsaficianado]

If KD tell the Suns I want the Spurs than that pretty much is a f**kyou to all other NBA teams that want him. Suns will have to trade him to Spurs for whatever the Spurs give. I personally think he wants the Spurs.

Fox, Wemby, Castle, and #2 (Harper) are not getting traded. Everyone else there is fair game for KD.

[UglyBugBall]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

[JustBuzzin]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

I mean they wouldn't be trading much assuming Fox/Castle/Harper/Wemby are all untouchable you basically get KD for not much while keeping your young core together. It's not even a long-term commitment as KD is near the end of his career.

What is the gamble here?

[druggas]

Don't count your chickens.................

[UglyBugBall]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

I mean they wouldn't be trading much assuming Fox/Castle/Harper/Wemby are all untouchable you basically get KD for not much while keeping your young core together. It's not even a long-term commitment as KD is near the end of his career.

What is the gamble here?

How do you get him without trading at least one of those guys? I guess Vassell? I mean he's not untouchable but I wouldn't ship him off for Durant. He's better used as trade bait to get another younger fringe all star / good starter like fox, or a specialist that fits with the 3 main pieces.

[ConSarnit]

I don’t really think KD is much of a needle mover anymore for teams tbh. His numbers are pretty hollow.

If he is your 3rd best player, great… but the question is, would he be the 3rd best player on the Spurs? I don’t think so. Until he is, the Spurs can be considered a good team. The onus is on Fox, Castle and potentially Harper to be the 2nd banana.

I don’t see how KD isn’t a great 2nd banana. By all accounts he’s still a good 1st banana.

He averaged 27/6/4 on 64 TS%. The only volume scorer who was more efficient was Jokic. The Suns went 3-17 without KD this year.

The only questionable part of KD’s game is availability. The Spurs should be able to mitigate the load on KD with Fox and Wemby picking up the slack.

KD’s on court production is still very good.

[ConSarnit]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

This is crazy talk.

Players in 2025 who averaged 25+ PPG on 64+ TS%:

Nikola Jokic
KD

But sure, he’s just a “bench guy”

[G R E Y]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

I mean they wouldn't be trading much assuming Fox/Castle/Harper/Wemby are all untouchable you basically get KD for not much while keeping your young core together. It's not even a long-term commitment as KD is near the end of his career.

What is the gamble here?

How do you get him without trading at least one of those guys? I guess Vassell? I mean he's not untouchable but I wouldn't ship him off for Durant. He's better used as trade bait to get another younger fringe all star / good starter like fox, or a specialist that fits with the 3 main pieces.

If other teams are notified KD won't extend with them, that they are parting with assets for a short duration, it alters the asset calculations. It msy not be worth it for them.

Say KD wants Spurs. A package of Vassell, Barnes (expiring) and whichever picks outside of #2 is a decent get younger, stay competitive, get cap relief, get picks offer. This one has been floating around and seems like a fair needs met starting point.

Now if KD makes a two or three team list with which he is willing to extend, well for example Rockets have Suns picks that the latter would surely love (Rockets would still have to be willing to part with them), then it gets harder for all teams listed who want KD.

At some point you have to start combining assets and looking to improve, even if it's in shorter window bursts until we acquire/develop/sign/draft long term players alongside Wemby.

Things change quickly and as I said before, a team has to be ready for as many variables as possible. Two years ago Vassell was deemed a long term part of the core. Before that, it was Murray. Then unprotected picks offered and high draft picks and Castle showing well happened. So being able and willing to pivot and pounce on rare chances to upgrade the roster makes sense.

[UglyBugBall]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

This is crazy talk.

Players in 2025 who averaged 25+ PPG on 64+ TS%:

Nikola Jokic
KD

But sure, he’s just a “bench guy”

He's like a late prime Carmelo Anthony, a prime Beal, Demar or Trae. He'll give you numbers, but they're empty. At least Trae gives you a ton of assists too. There's a bunch of guys scoring points in the league, but you're not going to win anything with most of them. He doesn't do anything else anymore. He's not a good defender anymore, he's not a great playmaker, he's not a leader or locker room guy. He doesn't give you anything but points and points are a dime a dozen today. He'll score a ton while you're losing like all the other guys.

[ConSarnit]

I’d stay the course and keep building around youth just like OKC did. Going all in on someone like Durant makes no sense, you don’t mortgage the future for a fading star just to chase a short-term run. He’s not that guy anymore. Age and injuries have turned him into a volume scorer like mid career Melo. Buckets, but no impact on winning.

Trading for him now would just drain assets and stall Wemby’s timeline. Let him grow, stack talent, and go for it in a few years when he's ready. No need to follow the same failed blueprint other teams used trying to squeeze one last run out of Durant. He's got no runs left unless he's coming off the bench.

This is crazy talk.

Players in 2025 who averaged 25+ PPG on 64+ TS%:

Nikola Jokic
KD

But sure, he’s just a “bench guy”

He's like a late prime Carmelo Anthony, a prime Beal, Demar or Trae. He'll give you numbers, but they're empty. At least Trae gives you a ton of assists too. There's a bunch of guys scoring points in the league, but you're not going to win anything with most of them. He doesn't do anything else anymore. He's not a good defender anymore, he's not a great playmaker, he's not a leader or locker room guy. He doesn't give you anything but points and points are a dime a dozen today. He'll score a ton while you're losing like all the other guys.

When you are scoring 27ppg on 64 TS% you are not a dime a dozen scorer. You are an elite scorer. KD slots in pretty much seamlessly onto any team. You’re severely underrating his impact. Saying he’s a bench guy is a joke of a comment.

[UglyBugBall]

This is crazy talk.

Players in 2025 who averaged 25+ PPG on 64+ TS%:

Nikola Jokic
KD

But sure, he’s just a “bench guy”

He's like a late prime Carmelo Anthony, a prime Beal, Demar or Trae. He'll give you numbers, but they're empty. At least Trae gives you a ton of assists too. There's a bunch of guys scoring points in the league, but you're not going to win anything with most of them. He doesn't do anything else anymore. He's not a good defender anymore, he's not a great playmaker, he's not a leader or locker room guy. He doesn't give you anything but points and points are a dime a dozen today. He'll score a ton while you're losing like all the other guys.

When you are scoring 27ppg on 64 TS% you are not a dime a dozen scorer. You are an elite scorer. KD slots in pretty much seamlessly onto any team. You’re severely underrating his impact. Saying he’s a bench guy is a joke of a comment.

He's a bench guy on a championship team. He's a starter on every other typical non title team.

[G R E Y]

This is crazy talk.

Players in 2025 who averaged 25+ PPG on 64+ TS%:

Nikola Jokic
KD

But sure, he’s just a “bench guy”

He's like a late prime Carmelo Anthony, a prime Beal, Demar or Trae. He'll give you numbers, but they're empty. At least Trae gives you a ton of assists too. There's a bunch of guys scoring points in the league, but you're not going to win anything with most of them. He doesn't do anything else anymore. He's not a good defender anymore, he's not a great playmaker, he's not a leader or locker room guy. He doesn't give you anything but points and points are a dime a dozen today. He'll score a ton while you're losing like all the other guys.

When you are scoring 27ppg on 64 TS% you are not a dime a dozen scorer. You are an elite scorer. KD slots in pretty much seamlessly onto any team. You’re severely underrating his impact. Saying he’s a bench guy is a joke of a comment.

Imagine a prospective team presenting it just that way to the Suns with a lowball offer - he should be coming off the bench with all those empty stats. KD eliminates said team immediately.

[Optms]

I keep hearing timeline but Wemby is so far ahead of the development curb that you have no choice but to start putting win now pieces around him.

He is similar to LeBron when Lebron was in Cleveland. The Spurs have no time to develop raw talent because Wemby will have the Spurs where the Rockets were this past season.

That's why they got Fox. Spurs management isn't dumb. Go get KD for the right price. And Giannis too. I'd rather keep Castle more than the 2 pick if i had to pick. But really, everyone is expendable to ensure Wemby has enough help next year.

[UglyBugBall]

He's like a late prime Carmelo Anthony, a prime Beal, Demar or Trae. He'll give you numbers, but they're empty. At least Trae gives you a ton of assists too. There's a bunch of guys scoring points in the league, but you're not going to win anything with most of them. He doesn't do anything else anymore. He's not a good defender anymore, he's not a great playmaker, he's not a leader or locker room guy. He doesn't give you anything but points and points are a dime a dozen today. He'll score a ton while you're losing like all the other guys.

When you are scoring 27ppg on 64 TS% you are not a dime a dozen scorer. You are an elite scorer. KD slots in pretty much seamlessly onto any team. You’re severely underrating his impact. Saying he’s a bench guy is a joke of a comment.

Imagine a prospective team presenting it just that way to the Suns with a lowball offer - he should be coming off the bench with all those empty stats. KD eliminates said team immediately.

Oh teams will pursue him as a starter for sure. But none of those teams will win.

[ConSarnit]

I mean they wouldn't be trading much assuming Fox/Castle/Harper/Wemby are all untouchable you basically get KD for not much while keeping your young core together. It's not even a long-term commitment as KD is near the end of his career.

What is the gamble here?

How do you get him without trading at least one of those guys? I guess Vassell? I mean he's not untouchable but I wouldn't ship him off for Durant. He's better used as trade bait to get another younger fringe all star / good starter like fox, or a specialist that fits with the 3 main pieces.

If other teams are notified KD won't extend with them, that they are parting with assets for a short duration, it alters the asset calculations. It msy not be worth it for them.

Say KD wants Spurs. A package of Vassell, Barnes (expiring) and whichever picks outside of #2 is a decent get younger, stay competitive, get cap relief, get picks offer. This one has been floating around and seems like a fair needs met starting point.

Now if KD makes a two or three team list with which he is willing to extend, well for example Rockets have Suns picks that the latter would surely love (Rockets would still have to be willing to part with them), then it gets harder for all teams listed who want KD.

At some point you have to start combining assets and looking to improve, even if it's in shorter window bursts until we acquire/develop/sign/draft long term players alongside Wemby.

Things change quickly and as I said before, a team has to be ready for as many variables as possible. Two years ago Vassell was deemed a long term part of the core. Before that, it was Murray. Then unprotected picks offered and high draft picks and Castle showing well happened. So being able and willing to pivot and pounce on rare chances to upgrade the roster makes sense.

If the Spurs can get KD for Vassell + Barnes + 14 they need to do it. It makes them extremely competitive for the next 2 years and it retains all of their high level assets. Once KD ages out they would be in great shape to trade for another star using some combo of Fox/Harper/Castle + future picks. The Spurs could be contenders next season AND retain future flexibility. The Spurs don’t really need to wait anymore, they’re going to have an MVP level player (Wemby) and another all-star level player (Fox) next year. Why wait? Take advantage of Wemby’s low salary while you can.

[Blame Rasho]

I don’t really think KD is much of a needle mover anymore for teams tbh. His numbers are pretty hollow.

If he is your 3rd best player, great… but the question is, would he be the 3rd best player on the Spurs? I don’t think so. Until he is, the Spurs can be considered a good team. The onus is on Fox, Castle and potentially Harper to be the 2nd banana.

I don’t see how KD isn’t a great 2nd banana. By all accounts he’s still a good 1st banana.

He averaged 27/6/4 on 64 TS%. The only volume scorer who was more efficient was Jokic. The Suns went 3-17 without KD this year.

The only questionable part of KD’s game is availability. The Spurs should be able to mitigate the load on KD with Fox and Wemby picking up the slack.

KD’s on court production is still very good.

You don’t get it… if he is your 1st or 2nd best player at age 37, that means your team sucks. The Spurs have a lot of holes in their team and yes, he fills a few of them. My point is that I believe , if he ends up being the 2nd best player on the Spurs next season, it will result in disappointment. The mileage and injury history variable is real and if he are being honest, wemby has health issues as well. If the spurs can trade for him and give up some picks and basically filler I am all for it but i would temper my expectations. I would want someone step up more than trading for KD.

[KingFox]

KD's impact just isn't what everyone wants it to be. There's nothing scary about that IMO, not as long as OKC is healthy

[UcanUwill]

Do people really not care KD will be 37 on opening day? You do not trade Fox and first round picks for that.

[G R E Y]

If he is your 3rd best player, great… but the question is, would he be the 3rd best player on the Spurs? I don’t think so. Until he is, the Spurs can be considered a good team. The onus is on Fox, Castle and potentially Harper to be the 2nd banana.

I don’t see how KD isn’t a great 2nd banana. By all accounts he’s still a good 1st banana.

He averaged 27/6/4 on 64 TS%. The only volume scorer who was more efficient was Jokic. The Suns went 3-17 without KD this year.

The only questionable part of KD’s game is availability. The Spurs should be able to mitigate the load on KD with Fox and Wemby picking up the slack.

KD’s on court production is still very good.

You don’t get it… if he is your 1st or 2nd best player at age 37, that means your team sucks. The Spurs have a lot of holes in their team and yes, he fills a few of them. My point is that I believe , if he ends up being the 2nd best player on the Spurs next season, it will result in disappointment. The mileage and injury history variable is real and if he are being honest, wemby has health issues as well. If the spurs can trade for him and give up some picks and basically filler I am all for it but i would temper my expectations. I would want someone step up more than trading for KD.

What if he's not in that role any more? Or at least not so consistently that we have to over rely on it?

Fox was 1/1A on Kings.

KD was such on several teams.

Coming here acknowledges Wemby as #1 but the gravity that all three players command opens up the court for others, and in turn drivers open up court for them.

It doesn't have to be as it was previously. It works better if it's not.

Now if KD insists on being a clear cut second (or first!) option I agree it gets problematic, and it's not what we want. All revolves around Wemby. Fox acknowledged as much in wanting to get here. KD would enjoy the easier buckets of others getting more attention.