2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part IV

[Slim Charless]

I don't see why KD would want the Spurs.

I mean sure, aside from playing with and mentoring Wemby the biggest generational talent both in stature and hype that somewhat embodies some of Kds very rare traits as a 7+ foot very smooth, mobile, agile unstoppable superstar player that's absurdly long and versatile. Which would only add to his legacy with Wemby carrying his archetype legacy into the future.

And aside from playing with De Aaron Fox and playing for Pop who just happened to coach him in 2016 and more recently in 2020 for team USA in Tokyo. And possibly finishing his career playing for a historic franchise, you're probably right man.


Although, we're talking about a 1 yr deal anyways, and it worst, San Antonio could just rent him to advance their odds of making the playoffs and also advancing their competitive development. But wouldn't be on the hook for paying him long term. And then KD could go wherever he wants as a free agent to finish his career on a team of his choice??

I'm curious man. Where would you see KD most preferring to go? As I do think you make a good point that Ishbia would try to appease KD by helping trade him to his preferred destination if possible. By the way, wasn't Udoka also his coach for a brief time? And didn't KD push for Udoka to replace Nash as head coach for the Nets during his time there.

Anyways, I'm probably wrong about any possibility of KD playing in San Antonio, just like I was wrong about Chris Paul playing there.....lol.

I am not sure where he would want to go. Really it doesn't matter if we get a reasonable deal from a team willing to risk him to leave after 1 year.

But I think he would be ok with either LA team, GS after giving it more thought, though my bet is they will decide they'd rather have Jimmy anyway. Miami I think he'd be good with. Dallas he'd definitely probably be ok with. I'm sure Boston, NY, etc, but I don't really see them going after him. I don't know about Minnesota. I don't know how close him and Edwards are. Bucks? Maybe. Possibly Denver.

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

[Fo-Real]

So are we gonna pick up a big in the buyout market?

[Ghost of Kleine]

Spoiler:

I don't see why KD would want the Spurs.

I mean sure, aside from playing with and mentoring Wemby the biggest generational talent both in stature and hype that somewhat embodies some of KDs very rare traits as a 7+ foot very smooth, mobile, agile unstoppable superstar player that's absurdly long and versatile. Which would only add to his legacy with Wemby carrying his archetype legacy into the future.

And aside from playing with De Aaron Fox and playing for Pop who just happened to coach him in 2016 and more recently in 2020 for team USA in Tokyo. And possibly finishing his career playing for a historic franchise, you're probably right man.


Although, we're talking about a 1 yr deal anyways, and it worst, San Antonio could just rent him to advance their odds of making the playoffs and also advancing their competitive development. But wouldn't be on the hook for paying him long term. And then KD could go wherever he wants as a free agent to finish his career on a team of his choice??

I'm curious man. Where would you see KD most preferring to go? As I do think you make a good point that Ishbia would try to appease KD by helping trade him to his preferred destination if possible. By the way, wasn't Udoka also his coach for a brief time? And didn't KD push for Udoka to replace Nash as head coach for the Nets during his time there.

Anyways, I'm probably wrong about any possibility of KD playing in San Antonio, just like I was wrong about Chris Paul playing there.....lol.

I am not sure where he would want to go. Really it doesn't matter if we get a reasonable deal from a team willing to risk him to leave after 1 year.

But I think he would be ok with either LA team, GS after giving it more thought, though my bet is they will decide they'd rather have Jimmy anyway. Miami I think he'd be good with. Dallas he'd definitely probably be ok with. I'm sure Boston, NY, etc, but I don't really see them going after him. I don't know about Minnesota. I don't know how close him and Edwards are. Bucks? Maybe. Possibly Denver.

Your choices seem very on point man. Of the teams you've mentioned in this theoretical premise of KD choosing one of these destinations, what would you hope for from each team in their current situations? For example:

LA-
Reeves/ Hachimura/ Finney Smith/ Knecht/ Reddish/ LAL 25' 2nd 53rd pick) / LAL 31' 1st.

GS-
The Warriors will be way under the apron at $114 million so matching wouldn't really be necessary! But I'd accept
Moody/ TJD/ Podziemski/ GS 28' 1st/ GS 31' 1st/ MIA 25' 2nd (41st pick). ** This trade would be about significant cap relief and picks.

Miami-
Ware/ Rozier/Robinson/ Highsmith/ MIA 29' 1st or (No Ware) Wiggins/ Robinson/ Jacquez/ Jovic/ GS 25' 1st ( 14th pick) / MIA 29' 1st. (*** Trading the 14th pick on draft night to Brooklyn for the 19th and 24th picks. We'd then have the 19,24,29, and 54th picks.

Dallas- (Not likely)
Thompson /Washington / Gafford / Marshall/ DAL 25' 1st (18th pick). *** I really don't see this happening as the Mavs would have to gut what little depth they have left in the trade.

Boston- (not possible)
This premise is a non-starter because there's just no logistical way to do this with BOTH teams being in the 2nd apron, and Boston has no contracts to match salary unless they're trading Tatum or J Brown to us!!

New York- (Almost not possible)
Much like Boston, New York as a 2nd apron team just doesn't have the contracts to give up what I want back in Mikal Bridges. Instead, It'd have to be something like Anunoby/ Hart/ NYK 32' 1st/ MEM 25' 2nd (56th pick)/ 28' PHX or IND 2nd. And I'm just not that interested without Bridges or even premium picks involved, regardless of Anunoby.

Minnesota- (Very Likely)
Randle/ Reid / Dillingham/ DET 25' 1st/ MIN 32' 1st. Or McDaniels/ Reid/ DiVincenzo/ Shannon Jr/ Minott/ DET 25' 1st (17th pick)/ MIN 32' 1st.

Bucks- (Very Solid package)
Kuzma/Portis/ Connaughton/ KPJr/ Jackson/ Smith/ MIL 31' 1st.

Denver- (My favorite non pick player oriented package)
MPJ/ Saric/ Westbrook/ Braun/ Holmes/ Tyson.

Also just let me say that if Ishbia is planning to hold onto Booker and try a quick reset around him using a player based KD package return, then our best options would be (in this order of priority) Denver (1st), Minnesota (2nd), Milwaukee (3rd), Dallas (4th), Miami (5th), New York (6th), LA (7th), GS (8th).

[Ghost of Kleine]

I mean sure, aside from playing with and mentoring Wemby the biggest generational talent both in stature and hype that somewhat embodies some of Kds very rare traits as a 7+ foot very smooth, mobile, agile unstoppable superstar player that's absurdly long and versatile. Which would only add to his legacy with Wemby carrying his archetype legacy into the future.

And aside from playing with De Aaron Fox and playing for Pop who just happened to coach him in 2016 and more recently in 2020 for team USA in Tokyo. And possibly finishing his career playing for a historic franchise, you're probably right man.


Although, we're talking about a 1 yr deal anyways, and it worst, San Antonio could just rent him to advance their odds of making the playoffs and also advancing their competitive development. But wouldn't be on the hook for paying him long term. And then KD could go wherever he wants as a free agent to finish his career on a team of his choice??

I'm curious man. Where would you see KD most preferring to go? As I do think you make a good point that Ishbia would try to appease KD by helping trade him to his preferred destination if possible. By the way, wasn't Udoka also his coach for a brief time? And didn't KD push for Udoka to replace Nash as head coach for the Nets during his time there.

Anyways, I'm probably wrong about any possibility of KD playing in San Antonio, just like I was wrong about Chris Paul playing there.....lol.

I am not sure where he would want to go. Really it doesn't matter if we get a reasonable deal from a team willing to risk him to leave after 1 year.

But I think he would be ok with either LA team, GS after giving it more thought, though my bet is they will decide they'd rather have Jimmy anyway. Miami I think he'd be good with. Dallas he'd definitely probably be ok with. I'm sure Boston, NY, etc, but I don't really see them going after him. I don't know about Minnesota. I don't know how close him and Edwards are. Bucks? Maybe. Possibly Denver.

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Untouchable core piece!!

[Puff]

I read somewhere that there could be a massive salary cap increase this off season which could put our current situation under the 2nd Apron.

I have not read that anywhere else.

If that is the case I can see Ishbia sticking with this losing roster he has put together while extending KD. Will his pride get in the way of making the right decision by trading both KD and Book. That is the direction we need to take. Under normal circumstances that would encourage Beal to drop his NTC but nobody wants him at his current salary. Waive and stretch?

I am ready for some new young blood on the court.

[BobbieL]

I am not sure where he would want to go. Really it doesn't matter if we get a reasonable deal from a team willing to risk him to leave after 1 year.

But I think he would be ok with either LA team, GS after giving it more thought, though my bet is they will decide they'd rather have Jimmy anyway. Miami I think he'd be good with. Dallas he'd definitely probably be ok with. I'm sure Boston, NY, etc, but I don't really see them going after him. I don't know about Minnesota. I don't know how close him and Edwards are. Bucks? Maybe. Possibly Denver.

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

[Slim Charless]

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

They HAD a trade for him... to the Warriors...agreed by both parties. With Miami as well.

We were getting Kuminga, Butler and picks. 2 firsts and like 2 seconds.

Durant rejected it. So I'm guessing you don't remember any of this.....?

[Ghost of Kleine]

Spoiler:

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

I don't disagree with you that KDs value will be less going forward as it's only logical that depreciation will be connected to his age and shorter contractual control for any recieving team. However, the difference between getting a lower offer than at the deadline and what some on the trade board are promoting as what we'll be forced to settle for in a KD trade is straight asinine idiotic garbage.

And really only typical of the kind of self induced copium that some fans due to convince themselves that they'll somehow get a player of KDs caliber for nearly nothing. Claiming such things as KD might at best return a matching contract or matching salary of players and maybe a singular first. Talking as if he'd only return mediocre value at best.

And then trying to substantiate such delusions in an apples to Oranges argument comparing him to Butler, etc. When Butler and Durant are obviously completely different players, different tier value, and different situations entirely. It's sad but all too typical man.

Now fo I think KD at his age is going to somehow magically return some massave haul of value for us? .......NOT AT ALL!!! but KDs' value is at minimum a couple good young players and maybe 2 firsts at baseline. Not some mediocre player/ players on a poor contract and maybe a decent but still not great mediocre non lottery 1st. This is because of the impact KD can still offer in raising a team's ceiling significantly IF ONLY added to a properly constructed roster drastically different from our situation.

I've already shared multiple plausible and reasonable trade options for KD to a wide variance of teams. Now we can argue about Jones and Ishbias' gross ineptitude and general inability to negotiate a good value return. But KDs value is still solid under most trade conditions.

[BobbieL]

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

They HAD a trade for him... to the Warriors...agreed by both parties. With Miami as well.

We were getting Kuminga, Butler and picks. 2 firsts and like 2 seconds.

Durant rejected it. So I'm guessing you don't remember any of this.....?

That was one trade. ONE and it was a terrible trade. How about pivoting to other teams.

[BobbieL]

Spoiler:

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

I don't disagree with you that KDs value will be less going forward as it's only logical that depreciation will be connected to his age and shorter contractual control for any recieving team. However, the difference between getting a lower offer than at the deadline and what some on the trade board are promoting as what we'll be forced to settle for in a KD trade is straight asinine idiotic garbage.

And really only typical of the kind of self induced copium that some fans due to convince themselves that they'll somehow get a player of KDs caliber for nearly nothing. Claiming such things as KD might at best return a matching contract or matching salary of players and maybe a singular first. Talking as if he'd only return mediocre value at best.

And then trying to substantiate such delusions in an apples to Oranges argument comparing him to Butler, etc. When Butler and Durant are obviously completely different players, different tier value, and different situations entirely. It's sad but all too typical man.

Now fo I think KD at his age is going to somehow magically return some massave haul of value for us? .......NOT AT ALL!!! but KDs' value is at minimum a couple good young players and maybe 2 firsts at baseline. Not some mediocre player/ players on a poor contract and maybe a decent but still not great mediocre non lottery 1st. This is because of the impact KD can still offer in raising a team's ceiling significantly IF ONLY added to a properly constructed roster drastically different from our situation.

I've already shared multiple plausible and reasonable trade options for KD to a wide variance of teams. Now we can argue about Jones and Ishbias' gross ineptitude and general inability to negotiate a good value return. But KDs value is still solid under most trade conditions.

I agree - it will be solid. I think what you mention is fair. My trade is two FRPs, a good young player and cap filler.

But the Suns are not in a position to demand Castle from the Spurs or walk away.

[Saberestar]

Yall might be spinnin wheels

What’s the odds here? ….. I give 80/20 Wishbia and his gang just tinker around the edges. To think anything else is ignoring his brashness. Some team will have to offer the farm for KD or Book and the MadMatter will have to ****can his ring hopes for the next 5 years.

I don’t think he’s there yet, nor is a team willing to gut their roster in the necessary manner. The bigger question is if KD signs an extension. He may opt for the flexibility to go wherever he wants for his final mercenary assignment.

I think that you mentioned that our FO could go after Marcus Smart this summer and I think that could be a nice move. He is the type of player that fits (theorically) very well next to KD and Booker and we could try to get him for Bradley Beal.

Reports said that only 2 teams in the NBA were OK getting Beal on a trade: the Hawks and the Wizards.

Wizards have Smart (1 year at $21M) and Middleton (1 years at $34M). Together similar salary that Beal and we could be a 1st apron team in the summer so we could trade for them even with Beal making $1M or $2M more than them combined.

The Wizards would get a FRP to get an extra year from Beal and we would need to ask Beal to want back to his lovely old house. I can see it happening for his family and connections.

[dremill24]

I read somewhere that there could be a massive salary cap increase this off season which could put our current situation under the 2nd Apron.

I have not read that anywhere else.

If that is the case I can see Ishbia sticking with this losing roster he has put together while extending KD. Will his pride get in the way of making the right decision by trading both KD and Book. That is the direction we need to take. Under normal circumstances that would encourage Beal to drop his NTC but nobody wants him at his current salary. Waive and stretch?

I am ready for some new young blood on the court.

It could increase by up to 10% year over year, but no more. Most estimates you'll see out there bake that amount into what next year's cap/apron thresholds are.

[lilfishi22]

Do you mean Amin Elhassan by chance?

Exactly him. Dude has been salty since

That's who I was going to name, but not haven't heard from him in awhile. Real cocky when he got a job at ESPN. Probably not so much anymore.

These sports reporters at big sites, etc, are becoming a thing of the past. Marc Stein, Zach Lowe, etc.

I assume Zach Lowe HAS to end up at The Athletic or The Ringer. They won't be able to pay him what ESPN did, but maybe they can structure his contract to where he gets a percentage based on readers, and a bigger % of readers that have specifically signed up to read him by some metric. Like a % of revenue and traffic he brings to the site.

The Athletic would be good. They could probably drop a lot of their NBA writers/contractors if need be if they had him. He probably got a year of severance so can start writing next season (hopefully).

Would love to see him at the Ringer.

[BobbieL]

Yall might be spinnin wheels

What’s the odds here? ….. I give 80/20 Wishbia and his gang just tinker around the edges. To think anything else is ignoring his brashness. Some team will have to offer the farm for KD or Book and the MadMatter will have to ****can his ring hopes for the next 5 years.

I don’t think he’s there yet, nor is a team willing to gut their roster in the necessary manner. The bigger question is if KD signs an extension. He may opt for the flexibility to go wherever he wants for his final mercenary assignment.

I think that you mentioned that our FO could go after Marcus Smart this summer and I think that could be a nice move. He is the type of player that fits (theorically) very well next to KD and Booker and we could try to get him for Bradley Beal.

Reports said that only 2 teams in the NBA were OK getting Beal on a trade: the Hawks and the Wizards.

Wizards have Smart (1 year at $21M) and Middleton (1 years at $34M). Together similar salary that Beal and we could be a 1st apron team in the summer so we could trade for them even with Beal making $1M or $2M more than them combined.

The Wizards would get a FRP to get an extra year from Beal and we would need to ask Beal to want back to his lovely old house. I can see it happening for his family and connections.

So you are trading a FRP, which they don't especially if they keep Booker and Durant to trade for Smart and a broken down Middleton to what, be the 7th seed or something.

I like the idea of Smart but enough trading draft picks to get off bad contracts.

I get it that Ishbia probably won't pull the plug but thats what he has to do

[Ghost of Kleine]

Spoiler:

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

I don't disagree with you that KDs value will be less going forward as it's only logical that depreciation will be connected to his age and shorter contractual control for any recieving team. However, the difference between getting a lower offer than at the deadline and what some on the trade board are promoting as what we'll be forced to settle for in a KD trade is straight asinine idiotic garbage.

And really only typical of the kind of self induced copium that some fans due to convince themselves that they'll somehow get a player of KDs caliber for nearly nothing. Claiming such things as KD might at best return a matching contract or matching salary of players and maybe a singular first. Talking as if he'd only return mediocre value at best.

And then trying to substantiate such delusions in an apples to Oranges argument comparing him to Butler, etc. When Butler and Durant are obviously completely different players, different tier value, and different situations entirely. It's sad but all too typical man.

Now fo I think KD at his age is going to somehow magically return some massave haul of value for us? .......NOT AT ALL!!! but KDs' value is at minimum a couple good young players and maybe 2 firsts at baseline. Not some mediocre player/ players on a poor contract and maybe a decent but still not great mediocre non lottery 1st. This is because of the impact KD can still offer in raising a team's ceiling significantly IF ONLY added to a properly constructed roster drastically different from our situation.

I've already shared multiple plausible and reasonable trade options for KD to a wide variance of teams. Now we can argue about Jones and Ishbias' gross ineptitude and general inability to negotiate a good value return. But KDs value is still solid under most trade conditions.

I agree - it will be solid. I think what you mention is fair. My trade is two FRPs, a good young player and cap filler.

But the Suns are not in a position to demand Castle from the Spurs or walk away.

As we're both in majority agreement on a number of points, in terms of value depreciation and realistic value assessment towards returns for KD, that is why for Houston, you don't see me demanding Amen Thompson, or Smith , Eason, Whitmore ( all 3 of their young core talents) PLUS all three of our 1sts back too. J Green (for my part) constitutes one of the two package young talent inclusions.


Now sure Sheppard is also a young talent recently a lottery prospect to boot. But I have no interests in him for our future goals. Due to that, they can leave Sheppard out and replace him with one of Eason, Smith or Whitmore alongside of Green in the KD package.

And likewise for San Antonio, why I didn't at all promote any packages for KD that had Castle in them. But Vassell however would become more expendable because they now have Castle who plays at the same position as Vassell anyways. And the package then if course becomes Vassell (centerpiece)/ Barnes or Johnson (prefer Barnes for expiring)/ Sochan/ 2 firsts.

** And I'd strongly consider flipping those two firsts to Washington for 2-3 of our pick swaps (1sts) back to us.

Most likely PHX 26' 1st, PHX 28' 1st, PHX 30' 1st. But no less than two back. That way ifvee were to trade Booker to Houston as a follow up trade, it'd be Booker for J Green/ Landale/ Whitmore/ PHX 25' 1st, PHX 27' 1st, PHX 29' 1st. Just doing these two trades under this framework would give us back these picks:

- PHX 25' 1st ( Houston).
- PHX 26' 1st returned (Washington).
- PHX 27' 1st ( Houston).
- PHX 28' 1st returned ( Washington).
- PHX 29' 1st ( Houston).
- PHX 30' 1st returned ( Washington).
** CLE 25' 1st ( 29th pick).
** CLE 27' 1st .
** CLE 29' 1st.
** DEN 25' 2nd ( 54th pick).

And we can look at trading any of Allen, O'neale, Barnes, Landale, Holmes for more players/ 1sts or multiple 2nds?? This trade would restore all of our picks plus some extra. It would also give us a young, athletic very talented cost controlled core of JGreen, Whitmore, Dunn, Vassell, Sochan, Bol, Richards.

[lilfishi22]

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Minnesota desperately needs to make a big move! And it just so happens that their franchisee star player Ant adores KD! We can add Minnesota to the KD list this summer, And the Wolves can give us one of two possible packages:

1- KD for Randle/ Reid/ Dillingham/ DET 25' 1st (17th pick) / MIN 32' 1st.
2- KD for Mcdaniels/ Reid/ DiVencenzo/ Shannon Jr/ Minott/ MIN 32' 1st.

Although it likely won't matter now as come summertime, Minnesota as a 2nd apron team won't be able to aggregate salaries in a trade, just like us! So there likely won't be a mechanism for us to get those player packages.

Wouldn't describe our defense as regression. Fall off a cliff is a better description

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Minnesota desperately needs to make a big move! And it just so happens that their franchisee star player Ant adores KD! We can add Minnesota to the KD list this summer, And the Wolves can give us one of two possible packages:

1- KD for Randle/ Reid/ Dillingham/ DET 25' 1st (17th pick) / MIN 32' 1st.
2- KD for Mcdaniels/ Reid/ DiVencenzo/ Shannon Jr/ Minott/ MIN 32' 1st.

Although it likely won't matter now as come summertime, Minnesota as a 2nd apron team won't be able to aggregate salaries in a trade, just like us! So there likely won't be a mechanism for us to get those player packages.

Wouldn't describe our defense as regression. Fall off a cliff is a better description

I actually believe they're referring to the Wolves defensive regression in addition to their offense not being strong enough even with Ant to put them in a position to be a legitimate playoff threat after how strong there defense was last year and their much better offense prior to the KAT / Randle trade. It only makes sense as Conley's older, and Gobert and Randle are not serious offensive threats that can help Edward's. He really doesn't have a solid # 2 sidekick option now.

Not too sure why their defense regressed a bit though? But both of these considerations only play to our favor for Minnesota to be another possible KD trade destination to drive up value somewhat in a bidding war hopefully? Also it doesn't hurt that ANT idolizes him either...lol.

[Mr Puddles]

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Untouchable core piece!!

Why the hell has Tyty Washington been ahead of him in the rotation these past couple of games?

Dunn played 10 and 5 minutes in the past two vs 39 minutes for Tyty combined.

[lilfishi22]

Back to NYC for Mikal and filler would be really funny.... and really sad. Miami seems like a logical choice for both sides. We can do worse than some combo of Jovic, Ware and/or J³ plus some picks.

Houston and OKC as well.

I'd actually like the New York premise with getting Mikal Bridges back in the deal. but looking at their contract/ salary situation for this summer, it just doesn't seem possible to match with both teams in the 2nd apron UNLESS it's Anunoby and Hart with some form of picks. Miami would be solid too IF and only if Ware was the centerpiece value inclusion, But if Miami was unwilling to include Ware, then the value would need to be made up by including Jovic/ Jacquez/ and their GS 25' 1st and their MIA 29' 1st.
Maybe something like Wiggins/Robinson/ Jovic/ Jacquez/ GS 25' 1st (14th pick)/ MIA 29' 1st. ** Then I'd look to flip Wiggins elsewhere for players/ picks if at all possible. And of course Houston and OKC would bee great as long as they're willing to meet our value demands and not operate from a delusional mentality like some fans we've seen on the trade board claiming to have us over some metaphorical barrel...LOL!

I am one of those people who think Durant will get less value this summer than some are saying

To me, the time to trade him a 10 days ago but the team was too focused on a stupid short-sighted fantasy Jimmy Butler trade and not Durant. If they would have spent like 30-40% of the time on Durant and only 60-70% of the time on Butler, might have got a pretty stout deal for Durant.

I am going to be cautiously optimistic the Suns get a good solid deal for Durant.

I disagree. We weren't even really considering moving KD this season before teams started to really put the pressure on us to move him. With no prep or strategy, I think moving him for that offer would've been a mistake. You are right that we were far too narrow-focused on getting Jimmy that we didn't plan for anything else but moving KD because Miami and GS pushed for it rather than spending the time to survey the market and modelling out post-KD trade moves, would've been a short sighted move.

While the GS deal wasn’t necessarily a bad one, and we can’t say for certain we’ll land more or less in the offseason, the fact that we likely hadn’t fully explored a KD trade at that point suggests that moving him then and there would've had a significant impact on future planning exercises that we're honestly not prepared for.