2024 Off-Season: The KD Trade Market

[shrink]

Ok, I am not advocating this in any way, but if Durant asked out, I could see a set of circumstances with a Towns trade.

SUNS: After the Beal trade, the Suns with KD, Booker and Beal were considered strong contenders by many people, so an early exit is more disappointing than if it happened to, say, the Thunder. If Durant demands a trade, PHX isn’t forced to trade him - I think Durant has shown he will still bring it - but there will be a lot of pressure externally, for all Durant has done for the NBA. PHX could trade him for rebuilding pieces, but does that trigger Booker wanting out too? “Youth and Beal” is not a promising team for him. Instead, Towns gets them young, maintains a win-now direction, and he’s one of Booker’s best friends. Towns also is a 7-foot big man, so his game compliments Booker and Beal. PHX maintains talent consolidation, without bringing in a superstar that would want to supplant Booker. And trading the loyal Towns to PHX isn’t exactly screwing him over, there are many worse places he could be sent.

DURANT: When people discuss Durant landing spots, MIN rarely is mentioned. However, unlike many superstars, KD prefers to be a hooper, not a celebrity. The Wolves have their shiny, media-deflecting piece in Ant. The team is very strong defensively and has Gobert underneath, so KD wouldn’t need to expend so much energy on defense. The Wolves look like a contender next year, or certainly a contender with Durant on the team.

WOLVES: Durant is still a tremendous player, and he can replace Towns as a better fit at PF. KD’s big max isn’t much higher than Towns, and, for good or bad, it’s a year shorter. KD shortens the window, but may improve their chances if healthy. A Towns trade that maintains consolidated talent would likely require a star who wants to be THE star, but I think KD would share Towns’ willingness to defer the limelight to Ant. Durant is also Ant’s idol, and since Edwards is so impressionable, just having him on the team around Ant might help his whole career.

I don’t like unrealistic trades, and I want to stress, this is unrealistic. I’m not saying these players have identical value either, and other pieces could be added. I posted though to say that there are a number of minor connections here, areas where each side may have some additional value elsewhere. I’m saying that if some unlikely things fell into place, there is a scenario where some sort of trade has a non-zero chance of happening.

[NYG]

I think Philly gets him if he wants out

[vincecarter4pres]

thinking it has to be a contender... Would I say KNICKS KD+Nurkic for Randle+Robinson+Hart+2FRP?.. Knicks then send Nurkic+FRP for Poelt?.. The Suns are getting younger and lengthening their contention time... The KINGS or the Warriors would be other suitors I guess

I sadly agree the Knicks are an ideal landing spot for him.

[vincecarter4pres]

thinking it has to be a contender... Would I say KNICKS KD+Nurkic for Randle+Robinson+Hart+2FRP?

That's a terrible offer for KD and a dream scenario for the Knicks.

More firsts and it’s about there though.

[vincecarter4pres]

Suns/Heat/Pelicans

Suns send: KD
Suns receive: Ingram, Nance
Ingram is enough of a player to keep Suns moving, younger, and he and Booker could play well together

Heat send: Herro, Robinson, 29 FRP (about all they have left)
Heat receive: Durant
Durant with Butler and Adebayo. Jaquez and Rozier makes a mature team ready to compete (need some depth though)

Pelicans send Ingram, Nance
Pelicans receive: Robinson, Herro, 29 FRP (Miami)
With Murphy and Jones capable of stepping in, Herro makes McCollum open to trades to get back a center

This feels tragically light for the Pels even if they know they’re going to have to trade Ingram soon.

[vincecarter4pres]

Knicks is an obvious for picks and Randle and someone else useful.

OKC even with the past burnt bridge. They have the young productive but expendable pieces with upside and a wealth of picks, with cap space to send salary relief.

Like the Minny for KAT basic framework if you can make it work under the CBA.

Memphis is very interesting.

Always Boston for Brown if the salaries lineup.

KD for Lillard? I’m just sayin’ lol.

Miami if Phoenix would accept some bad salary for decent players and far out picks.

Philly has to be mentioned.

If Denver doesn’t win, would they consider the basic framework of Murray and whatever picks they have available for KD?

KD for Kyrie? Just sayin’ again.

To Sacto for Kegan Murray and every pick not tied down?

To the Lakers for the Brow and let KD and LeBron give it the old college try?

How bout to San An for Vassell and a few premium looking Atlanta futures?

Lastly, assuming BK lands Mitchell without giving away all the Phoenix picks and swaps, reunite there? Just sayin’!

[ProcessDoctor]

I think Philly gets him if he wants out

A pure picks + cap space for KD trade?

[NYG]

I think Philly gets him if he wants out

A pure picks + cap space for KD trade?

Yeah with a 3rd and 4th team sending pieces for those picks/space that would compliment Booker/Beal/Nurkic/O'Neale/Allen

[NYG]

If the Knicks offered Sims, Randle and Bojan plus picks and the 76ers offered cap space and picks (with a 3rd and 4th team involved)... which would Phoenix be more likely to accept if KD demanded to go East?

[ProcessDoctor]

I think Philly gets him if he wants out

A pure picks + cap space for KD trade?

Yeah with a 3rd and 4th team sending pieces for those picks/space that would compliment Booker/Beal/Nurkic/O'Neale/Allen

I could see it. Morey will have his sights set on every star this summer. Maybe KD will be the one to shake free to Philly.