Who are KD's suitors?

[NYG]

Rockets, Lakers, Heat and Kings probably could make the best offers while matching salary and still having a team KD would accept remaining (although in Sacramento I could see him having them trade Sabonis and/or LaVine for one of his buddies as a co-star and the Kings obliging in real life)

Looking it over...

Dallas probably isn't realistic, they would need to literally deal any one that isn't AD or Kyrie. Warriors are already a no from KD. Grizzlies can't match salary.

Rockets offer FVV, a young guy and picks?
Lakers offer Kleber, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Hachimura + the Mark Williams package via 2 deals?
Heat offer JJJ, Ware, Rozier, Robinson and picks?
Kings offer DeRozan, Murray, Valanciunas, Carter and picks?

Which offer is the best?

If the Kings could land a solid defensive wing in free agency or follow-up trade. That resulting team is kind of fire offensively... Sabonis/KD/Defensive Wing/LaVine/Monk... would the Kings have any picks left for a follow-up LaVine and picks for RW3, Thybulle and Simons type of deal? Sabonis/KD/Thybulle/Simons/Monk

Really just not interested in Durant for Houston.

Saving for the "right" guy, IE considerably younger.

We want an 8 year window, not a two year one.

So it's basically the Kings or Heat? I think both of their offers top the Lakers offer above..... unless the Suns GM only negotiates with the Lakers and doesn't tell anyone else...

[Lost Angel]

Can see lakers willing to make a bid with whatever draft capital they own this summer. Not sure they can make a competive offer even putting Austin on the table.

I don’t think they would. They’re now one of the youngest teams in the league, with only 2 guys over the age of 30. KD, while still elite, is not on the Luka timeline and if lakers trade Reaves it would only be in a trade for a young star player to pair with Luka long term

[Astaluego]

Rockets, Lakers, Heat and Kings probably could make the best offers while matching salary and still having a team KD would accept remaining (although in Sacramento I could see him having them trade Sabonis and/or LaVine for one of his buddies as a co-star and the Kings obliging in real life)

Looking it over...

Dallas probably isn't realistic, they would need to literally deal any one that isn't AD or Kyrie. Warriors are already a no from KD. Grizzlies can't match salary.

Rockets offer FVV, a young guy and picks?
Lakers offer Kleber, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Hachimura + the Mark Williams package via 2 deals?
Heat offer JJJ, Ware, Rozier, Robinson and picks?
Kings offer DeRozan, Murray, Valanciunas, Carter and picks?

Which offer is the best?

If the Kings could land a solid defensive wing in free agency or follow-up trade. That resulting team is kind of fire offensively... Sabonis/KD/Defensive Wing/LaVine/Monk... would the Kings have any picks left for a follow-up LaVine and picks for RW3, Thybulle and Simons type of deal? Sabonis/KD/Thybulle/Simons/Monk

Really just not interested in Durant for Houston.

Saving for the "right" guy, IE considerably younger.

We want an 8 year window, not a two year one.

So it's basically the Kings or Heat? I think both of their offers top the Lakers offer above..... unless the Suns GM only negotiates with the Lakers and doesn't tell anyone else...

The Wolves can match salary in different ways...and they have the necessary sweeteners to do it

[Thaddy]

If the Raptors put together a package of Barrett, Dick, 2025 lottery 1st, pick swap, and future 1st would that be a competitive package?

Poeltl / POR 2nd
Barnes / Mogbo
Durant / Walter
Ingram / Agbaji
Quickley / Shead

That looks like a very strong starting 5. They have a lot of depth acquired from 2nd rounders and developed through their GLeague affiliate.

[Astaluego]

Lively + ?? vs. Ware + ??

Well Miami would send expiring contracts to match (Rozier/Robinson)..the Mavs would send players of positive value (Washington/Marshall/Klay/Martin)... I understand that if they keep Booker and want to compete, the Mavs' offer is more attractive. If the idea is to trade Booker and start over, Miami offers you greater flexibility.
I'm hearing rumors that KI/Durant still want to team up and Irving has some power right now, especially heading into free agency...although Miami seems like a more natural destination, and they wouldn't lose as much depth.

[Bentley1225]

OKC, Miami and Houston think are 3 main ones. The Thunder can include Hartenstein, Joe, and another $8-10 million contract along with 3-4 1sts.

[babyjax13]

I would like Atlanta to go for KD. Something around Risacher and Okongwu, probabaly.

[Lost Angel]

Lakers could but probably shouldn’t…would like to see KD go back to OKC for Dort OR Caruso, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Joe, 3 first round picks, 3 2nd round picks, 2 swaps…

Or a crazier trade of Booker and Durant for all the 1st rounders, swaps, 2nds, plus Dort and Jalen Williams (the good one) plus Dieng and Cason Wallace

[TheNetsFan]

How much does missing a playoff run reduce KD's value from the deadline offer of Nurkic and KD for Butler, Kuminga, Valanciunas and 2 1sts?

Is there a Jimmy Butler type of veteran out there this off-season? Who is this off-season's Kuminga?

Does Brooklyn make sense as a 3rd team?

Claxton, Cam and 2 Team X 1sts to Phoenix
Team X Assets/Filler to Brooklyn
KD to Team X

Something like that?

How sad would it be for Phoenix fans to trade Cam for KD…. I don’t think KD will have the value to return Claxton, Can and 2 firsts. Maybe the players but no picks?

I do think his value dropped a lot by losing out on this playoff run. Or it really should have.

The overpaid vet I like the most is LaVine. And the Kuminga is Murray... Zach is not really a great fit but young enough to pair with Butler.. and Sac should be interested in Durant… A two year run as an actual contender instead of a 5 year run trying to figure out the right pieces..

That’s my favorite idea even if it’s not too realistic.

Zion really might be a good idea if you use all of KD’s value to get it done. No idea of you need to add value to get it done or not (know their value ranges greatly)

Or the one we talked about here… If Philly is still trying to win next season, which I think they will be, it’s Paul George + ???, with Gordon dumped on a third team (or other small salary).. whatever clear you feel is right.

The funny thing is I've wondered if Brooklyn would ever consider something like that. Sign Turner, deal Cam J and Claxton for KD, while retaining a ton of picks to chase another star. I wouldn't want that, but it wouldn't shock me, especially if they get lucky in the lottery.

[jayjaysee]

How much does missing a playoff run reduce KD's value from the deadline offer of Nurkic and KD for Butler, Kuminga, Valanciunas and 2 1sts?

Is there a Jimmy Butler type of veteran out there this off-season? Who is this off-season's Kuminga?

Does Brooklyn make sense as a 3rd team?

Claxton, Cam and 2 Team X 1sts to Phoenix
Team X Assets/Filler to Brooklyn
KD to Team X

Something like that?

How sad would it be for Phoenix fans to trade Cam for KD…. I don’t think KD will have the value to return Claxton, Can and 2 firsts. Maybe the players but no picks?

I do think his value dropped a lot by losing out on this playoff run. Or it really should have.

The overpaid vet I like the most is LaVine. And the Kuminga is Murray... Zach is not really a great fit but young enough to pair with Butler.. and Sac should be interested in Durant… A two year run as an actual contender instead of a 5 year run trying to figure out the right pieces..

That’s my favorite idea even if it’s not too realistic.

Zion really might be a good idea if you use all of KD’s value to get it done. No idea of you need to add value to get it done or not (know their value ranges greatly)

Or the one we talked about here… If Philly is still trying to win next season, which I think they will be, it’s Paul George + ???, with Gordon dumped on a third team (or other small salary).. whatever clear you feel is right.

The funny thing is I've wondered if Brooklyn would ever consider something like that. Sign Turner, deal Cam J and Claxton for KD, while retaining a ton of picks to chase another star. I wouldn't want that, but it wouldn't shock me, especially if they get lucky in the lottery.

I think if Brooklyn gets lucky in the lottery they need to finish the tear down and try to go into 2026 with Flagg (or Harper) and another top 5 pick next season. Then build a roster in 2026 offseason around the two rookie contracts and a better asset base / cap sheet.

KD should end up on a team more desperate and/or more ready IMO.

[TheNetsFan]

How sad would it be for Phoenix fans to trade Cam for KD…. I don’t think KD will have the value to return Claxton, Can and 2 firsts. Maybe the players but no picks?

I do think his value dropped a lot by losing out on this playoff run. Or it really should have.

The overpaid vet I like the most is LaVine. And the Kuminga is Murray... Zach is not really a great fit but young enough to pair with Butler.. and Sac should be interested in Durant… A two year run as an actual contender instead of a 5 year run trying to figure out the right pieces..

That’s my favorite idea even if it’s not too realistic.

Zion really might be a good idea if you use all of KD’s value to get it done. No idea of you need to add value to get it done or not (know their value ranges greatly)

Or the one we talked about here… If Philly is still trying to win next season, which I think they will be, it’s Paul George + ???, with Gordon dumped on a third team (or other small salary).. whatever clear you feel is right.

The funny thing is I've wondered if Brooklyn would ever consider something like that. Sign Turner, deal Cam J and Claxton for KD, while retaining a ton of picks to chase another star. I wouldn't want that, but it wouldn't shock me, especially if they get lucky in the lottery.

I think if Brooklyn gets lucky in the lottery they need to finish the tear down and try to go into 2026 with Flagg (or Harper) and another top 5 pick next season. Then build a roster in 2026 offseason around the two rookie contracts and a better asset base / cap sheet.

KD should end up on a team more desperate and/or more ready IMO.

I don't think they'll tank if they get a top pick. They've always subscribed to having vets that could teach good habits to young guys, and Jordi is too good of a coach that gets too good of an effort from the team to tank. If they can't tank properly with this roster, how are they going to after adding a Flagg/Harper/Bailey to the roster?

I don't expect them to go star chasing this year, but they'll be opportunistic if the right one became available. With so many teams expected to have lots of cap space in '26, they'd be wise to pounce if a team decides to cut their losses and rebuild/duck tax in '25.

[jayjaysee]

I think if Brooklyn gets lucky in the lottery they need to finish the tear down and try to go into 2026 with Flagg (or Harper) and another top 5 pick next season. Then build a roster in 2026 offseason around the two rookie contracts and a better asset base / cap sheet.

KD should end up on a team more desperate and/or more ready IMO.

I don't think they'll tank if they get a top pick. They've always subscribed to having vets that could teach good habits to young guys, and Jordi is too good of a coach that gets too good of an effort from the team to tank. If they can't tank properly with this roster, how are they going to after adding a Flagg/Harper/Bailey to the roster?

I don't expect them to go star chasing this year, but they'll be opportunistic if the right one became available. With so many teams expected to have lots of cap space in '26, they'd be wise to pounce if a team decides to cut their losses and rebuild/duck tax in '25.

Think you trade Cam and Claxton to tank next season. Having 5 rookies in your top 8 will usually result in poor record.

2026 offseason got a lot less exciting..

JJJ (and probably Fox) will be renegotiated and extended. And Luka ain’t leaving LAL.

I think the 2026 offseason talk died for most teams.. There’s still maybe Trae and KP? Though I think both get extension where they are at without seeing free agency..

[JRoy]

Can see lakers willing to make a bid with whatever draft capital they own this summer. Not sure they can make a competive offer even putting Austin on the table.

I don’t think they would. They’re now one of the youngest teams in the league, with only 2 guys over the age of 30. KD, while still elite, is not on the Luka timeline and if lakers trade Reaves it would only be in a trade for a young star player to pair with Luka long term

Which would rather have Reeves instead of their young star player?

[NYG]

Lively + ?? vs. Ware + ??

Well Miami would send expiring contracts to match (Rozier/Robinson)..the Mavs would send players of positive value (Washington/Marshall/Klay/Martin)... I understand that if they keep Booker and want to compete, the Mavs' offer is more attractive. If the idea is to trade Booker and start over, Miami offers you greater flexibility.
I'm hearing rumors that KI/Durant still want to team up and Irving has some power right now, especially heading into free agency...although Miami seems like a more natural destination, and they wouldn't lose as much depth.

I could see the Suns being so backed into a corner that they probably give it one more go with Booker before entirely blowing it up so that Suns roster post-Mavs trade may be more desirable