Breaking: Kevin Durant has requested a trade; UPDATE: KD wants Sean Marks/Nash fired - Shams

[GTR11]

As of now, I think Indiana is a little short of cap space for a max Ayton offer. They can easily free a few million up, but would have to do so before presenting the offer sheet. They want to send Turner back in the deal. A sign & trade would obviously eliminate teh risk of a Phoenix match. I'm wondering if Ayton is willing to settle for less than the max. If he is, what's that number & does that number make him more attractive to Marks.

Indy has more than enough cap space. It all depends how they'll structure Ayton contract. PHX will be stupid to let Ayton walk for nothing.

Than again, we talking about Sarvar. He's right there next to James Dolan when it comes to incompetence.

[gigantes]

Windhorst put an exclamation mark on this today, saying that there just isn't a bidding war for Durant. Left mostly unsaid is that KD has surely tanked a certain amount of his value by asking out under these circumstances, and for wanting to go to specific teams.

Let's not forget how everyone watched in the playoffs as Durant couldn't even dribble past Al Horford without turning the ball over. If Durant had played worth a damn his value wouldn't even be questioned. He's done a ton of damage to himself over the last 3 months.

Not disagreeing, but I'm also going to give credit to the #1 defense in the league. They know their roles perfectly, and are better-built to switch long, mobile defenders relentlessly on to the enemy's top threat, even Kevin Durant.

Meanwhile, the Nets playing their iso-heavy offense without a true floor general had been game-planned to death by other teams, since, what... February? Anyway, I hope league execs keep that context in mind.

I still have major concerns about Simmons and a crew of undersized combo-guards trying to play halfcourt PG this coming season. Seems like it's too much of a repeat of past flaws, but who knows. (is a Kyrie for DLo trade feasible?)

[Catchall]

A few notes on Donovan Mitchell ---

** There's a difference between requesting a trade and demanding a trade. Donovan doesn't reach potential free agency for 3 years, so he doesn't have enough leverage to demand a trade and steer his destination. His agency CAA can say, "Donovan would like a trade and prefers Miami and New York as destinations," but they can't push it too hard. Ainge isn't the type of guy who will just bend over backwards to accommodate Donovan. Jazz will say, "We'll try to accommodate your request, but it has to make sense for our franchise." So both the Jazz and Mitchell will stand pat for now.

** In order for Mitchell to be traded to BRK, Simmons would need to be moved to another team. Per Jake Fischer, the market for Simmons is very soft right now. He has very little trade value at the moment. Maybe the Lakers are in a position to trade for Simmons, but it would be another one of those Westbrook-and-picks scenarios.

** Another problem with Mitchell to BRK in a KD trade is that BRK is going to try to take all the value imaginable in that trade, and that doesn't leave enough to compensate the Jazz for Mitchell. The Jazz are going to want to maximize their return for Mitchell and would take a big bite out of the trade package from PHX--e.g., Bridges, two picks and a swap. Jazz are going to charge full retail for a 25 y.o. All Star with 3 years left on his current deal.

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[TheNetsFan]

As of now, I think Indiana is a little short of cap space for a max Ayton offer. They can easily free a few million up, but would have to do so before presenting the offer sheet. They want to send Turner back in the deal. A sign & trade would obviously eliminate teh risk of a Phoenix match. I'm wondering if Ayton is willing to settle for less than the max. If he is, what's that number & does that number make him more attractive to Marks.

Indy has more than enough cap space. It all depends how they'll structure Ayton contract. PHX will be stupid to let Ayton walk for nothing.

Than again, we talking about Sarvar. He's right there next to James Dolan when it comes to incompetence.

Actually, based on the discussion on the T&T board, Indiana doesn't have max space until the Brogdon trade executes, and that can't happen until the 9th. The clock is ticking.

[Netaman]

I think the Mitchell stuff is impossible to predict because it all depends on what Utah wants. Here's the best I could come up with between PHO/UTAH/BKN and I think it works on trade machine.

Utah gets -
Ayton
Simmons
Cam Thomas
FRPs (2 from PHO? I think Simmons and Ayton should be considered worth 2 each, plus they are clearing Gay/Conley $)

Phoenix gets -
KD
Gay

Nets get -
Mitchell
Bridges
Cam J.
Conley
2 FRP from PHO, swaps

does Utah have any interest in Ayton/Simmons? I have no idea. But they'd have 4 years of 2 first overall picks and a ton of picks with most of the bad $ now off the books. There may be a version of this trade where the Nets get Ayton and Utah gets all the picks + Simmons but I can't find a way to fit the nets under the apron unless Claxton gets included which may not be possible.

[GTR11]

As of now, I think Indiana is a little short of cap space for a max Ayton offer. They can easily free a few million up, but would have to do so before presenting the offer sheet. They want to send Turner back in the deal. A sign & trade would obviously eliminate teh risk of a Phoenix match. I'm wondering if Ayton is willing to settle for less than the max. If he is, what's that number & does that number make him more attractive to Marks.

Indy has more than enough cap space. It all depends how they'll structure Ayton contract. PHX will be stupid to let Ayton walk for nothing.

Than again, we talking about Sarvar. He's right there next to James Dolan wiscussion on the T&T board, Indiana doesn't hen it comes to incompetence.

Actually, based on the discussion on the T&T board, Indiana doesn't have max space until the Brogdon trade executes, and that can't happen until the 9th. The clock is ticking.

C'mon now, really?

What's happening is, Jones and Chad negotiating things out in good faith. All these GM and Coaches try to keep good relationships among each other. Only time things get messy, is when agents/players get involved.

Ayton camp is mum, which suggests they know they getting paid either way. Now how much is that going to be is a good question. If Jones will cooperate, Ayton can/will get much more.

[Tha King]

I think the Mitchell stuff is impossible to predict because it all depends on what Utah wants. Here's the best I could come up with between PHO/UTAH/BKN and I think it works on trade machine.

Utah gets -
Ayton
Simmons
Cam Thomas
FRPs (2 from PHO? I think Simmons and Ayton should be considered worth 2 each, plus they are clearing Gay/Conley $)

Phoenix gets -
KD
Gay

Nets get -
Mitchell
Bridges
Cam J.
Conley
2 FRP from PHO, swaps

does Utah have any interest in Ayton/Simmons? I have no idea. But they'd have 4 years of 2 first overall picks and a ton of picks with most of the bad $ now off the books. There may be a version of this trade where the Nets get Ayton and Utah gets all the picks + Simmons but I can't find a way to fit the nets under the apron unless Claxton gets included which may not be possible.

Would rather just have it Suns-Nets and keep Simmons, Ayton, etc.

Thing is, right now a Nets/Suns deal including an Ayton S&T would be very difficult to get done and would at least require Kyrie going elsewhere with nothing returning. In this scenario you're probably not going to get back full value for trading Kyrie though as another team would be taking WB. So I guess it all depends on how interested the team is in Ayton and if they want to get something done regardless and not potentially lose out.

[Netaman]

here's a giant complicated trade but I actually think it works. The nets won't get many picks out of this but I think it gives them the best roster post-trade of what i've seen.

Utah gets Simmons + 4 FRPs for Mitchell. I think the move would be to play Simmons and rebuild his value then deal him for more picks in the future. With 4 years on the deal time is on their side and the upside is probably > 2 FRPs. Saric is an expiring salary filler.

Phoenix gets KD + Turner for the widely rumored KD package the Nets don't think is enough by itself.

Indy would probably get back 1 of the far off LAL FRP for absorbing Russ but clears Hield/Turner and also gets Cam Thomas.

LA gets Kyrie and Hield for far off picks and dumps Russ.

Nets probably still get a couple FRPs/swaps out of this but basically convert most of the potential pick currency from Phoenix (and Simmons) into Mitchell. They get hard capped but they are under the apron by about $5m with 13 roster players.



Nets rotation post-trade

Mitchell - Patty - Sumner
Curry - Harris
O’Neale - Warren - Edwards
Bridges - Cam J. 

Ayton - Claxton - Sharpe

it's basically a mashup of Phoenix/Utah with Curry but I think I like it better going forward than any of the other versions. Mitchell gives them the shot creator they lacked with all the Simmons versions, still have a ton of shooting around him, and now add Ayton to hopefully develop into a truly elite big man.

[Papi_swav]

Raptors fans are straight up unbearable. Get away from our board, this **** has nothing to do with you.

You either give up Siakam and the ugly assed Barnes plus 4 picks or we aren't even speaking.

I rather OG and Barnes. Siakam is inconsistent at times even tho he's good

[MrDollarBills]

here's a giant complicated trade but I actually think it works. The nets won't get many picks out of this but I think it gives them the best roster post-trade of what i've seen.

Utah gets Simmons + 4 FRPs for Mitchell. I think the move would be to play Simmons and rebuild his value then deal him for more picks in the future. With 4 years on the deal time is on their side and the upside is probably > 2 FRPs. Saric is an expiring salary filler.

Phoenix gets KD + Turner for the widely rumored KD package the Nets don't think is enough by itself.

Indy would probably get back 1 of the far off LAL FRP for absorbing Russ but clears Hield/Turner and also gets Cam Thomas.

LA gets Kyrie and Hield for far off picks and dumps Russ.

Nets probably still get a couple FRPs/swaps out of this but basically convert most of the potential pick currency from Phoenix (and Simmons) into Mitchell. They get hard capped but they are under the apron by about $5m with 13 roster players.



Nets rotation post-trade

Mitchell - Patty - Sumner
Curry - Harris
O’Neale - Warren - Edwards
Bridges - Cam J. 

Ayton - Claxton - Sharpe

it's basically a mashup of Phoenix/Utah with Curry but I think I like it better going forward than any of the other versions. Mitchell gives them the shot creator they lacked with all the Simmons versions, still have a ton of shooting around him, and now add Ayton to hopefully develop into a truly elite big man.

That's a lot of moving parts, but that would really be a loaded Nets team if we could pull that off.

[Netaman]

That's a lot of moving parts, but that would really be a loaded Nets team if we could pull that off.

it's definitely a lot but for each team it kind of gets them what they need.

Phoenix gets KD for the package we've all heard a million times and without gutting their bench. Plus they replace Ayton with Turner.

LAL get Kyrie and Hield without losing anything except picks.

IND is a little tricky to anticipate but at the end of the day they are clearing future money and getting back some young guys/futures. I don't know if i nailed the balance exactly right but their end is basically just math/value. None of the players really matter. It's expiring and picks in, money out.

Utah is the biggest wild card but I will say I don't buy Ainge not being willing to trade Mitchell right now. He's cashed in that whole roster for picks. Even if Mitchell hasn't asked out now, isn't it just a matter of time until both sides see it as the only logical decision? 4 FRPs and Simmons imo is a pretty good return. In the middle of Utah without any pressure seems like a good place for Simmons to just start playing basketball again and whenever he does Ainge can cash him in for more picks/young players.

On the Nets end, would they be willing to trade KD and not recoup all that many FRP's? I think the answer is yes. But this is paying a pretty big premium to get Mitchell instead of just taking the Suns package as is and keeping Simmons.

But hey, this is why I'd encourage an open mind to the Phoenix deal, because with Simmons the perimeter defense is better, and he's probably a better playmaker/facilitator. And they'd get a ton of picks so they have assets to get Mitchell down the road if he's not available right now. You could easily cut Utah out of this deal, send the Nets those extra picks, and live to trade another day with Simmons.

[Tha King]

Unless you have strong reason to believe he won't play, don't think it's a good strategy to move Simmons in any deal right now.

[Netaman]

Unless you have strong reason to believe he won't play, don't think it's a good strategy to move Simmons in any deal right now.

I generally agree but I do think there's a legitimate concern that:

a) Simmons may at some point decide to not play.
b) still has shooting issues that make him a liability late game if he's your top ball handler

i'm definitely not selling him low simply to bring back a couple mediocre FRPs but if it's to bring back a legit all star like Mitchell, I'd probably do it because finding guys like that is hard.

[Papi_swav]

KD and Kyrie must be feeling dumb right now lol a whole lot of egg on their face. They thought the whole league would be after them. Sorry guys nobody is giving up the farm for a nutcase and an old fragile teenage girl. It is what it is, just eat it up and play ball. Try to get a chip this season, see how well they can play with a full season of being together. They aren't getting a better team than this. You guys signed up for this now complete the mission. We almost won it 2 seasons ago now do it again if you think you're really the best instead of hoping on other teams bandwagons. Soft activities

[TheNetsFan]

Unless you have strong reason to believe he won't play, don't think it's a good strategy to move Simmons in any deal right now.

I generally agree but I do think there's a legitimate concern that:

a) Simmons may at some point decide to not play.
b) still has shooting issues that make him a liability late game if he's your top ball handler

i'm definitely not selling him low simply to bring back a couple mediocre FRPs but if it's to bring back a legit all star like Mitchell, I'd probably do it because finding guys like that is hard.

I'm probably lower on Mitchell and higher on Simmons than most, but Simmons and 4 firsts which would otherwise be coming to us is the definition of selling low.

Treat Simmons with kid gloves. Put him in a low pressure situation, which a rebuild would be, and his value sky rockets if he just gets back to career averages.

[timetoshinebaby]

my prediction is johnson and four firsts and crowder.

[MrDollarBills]

my prediction is johnson and four firsts and crowder.

For who?

[MGrand15]

All the most recent reports make it feel like Marks is getting killed in negotiations. This will either drag out or we're going to get embarrassed in the trade.

BTW Indiana will be able offer Ayton a contract Saturday. If he's going to be involved in the deal, this needs to happen soon.

[Hello Brooklyn]

my prediction is johnson and four firsts and crowder.

This is Kevin Durant. Not Dejounte Murray.

[Papi_swav]

All the most recent reports make it feel like Marks is getting killed in negotiations. This will either drag out or we're going to get embarrassed in the trade.

BTW Indiana will be able offer Ayton a contract Saturday. If he's going to be involved in the deal, this needs to happen soon.

Or we can just keep both of them and if they don't want to play they can rot away on the bench, I don't care. Let the other guys play, at least they're willing to compete and not miss games when they feel like it. As long as we're better than Houston , and we should be, then we still have our pick this year. KD is the desperate one here not us, he's so desperate to get another ring so let him sit his tail at home being miserable. Same thing with psycho Kyrie . well if we get a decent return for Kyrie I'll do it because he's a cancer and all he does is try to ruin franchises because he's so much more important than everybody