Kevin Durant for Jaren Jackson Jr. + filler

[MoreyWins]

Grizzlies sends: Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, Jay Huff

Phoenix sends: Kevin Durant

Grizzlies get cold feet about Jaren Jackson's max extension of $345 million for 5 years. They decide they want to make a swing move to win in the next two or three years. Morant - Bane - Wells - Durant - Edey - Pippen Jr.- Aldama could be seven of nine players you'd trust in high level games against pretty good to good teams. If they can hit on a free agent wing defender and a backup big they might be in really good shape.

Phoenix gets another name to please Mat Ishbia. JJJ is an All-Star and All-NBA player at 25, that's very easy to sell to fans. They'll still be in cap hell, but it's better than any other alternative.

[babyjax13]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

[jredsaz]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Right now, sure. But his point about a max extension stands. Suns may have to send back some value but the Grizz aren’t looking like a team ready to stand pat this offseason. That doesn’t mean that this deal or any KD deal will happen but the thinking is sound.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

[wemby]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Right now, sure. But his point about a max extension stands. Suns may have to send back some value but the Grizz aren’t looking like a team ready to stand pat this offseason. That doesn’t mean that this deal or any KD deal will happen but the thinking is sound.

And Durant will need to be extended for 2 more years. I'd rather have JJJ for 5 more years at age 26, than Durant for 3 at age 37. There's a large gap in value no matter how you slice it.

[babyjax13]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

I think almost any team would be happy to pay him 5/250. If Memphis doesn't want to offer the supermax I agree they should trade him, but no team they deal him to will have the ability to offer that so his value should still be high.

[Dez]

Give me the young perennial DPOY candidate over the old KD let alone adding filler.

[giberish]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

I think almost any team would be happy to pay him 5/250. If Memphis doesn't want to offer the supermax I agree they should trade him, but no team they deal him to will have the ability to offer that so his value should still be high.

Yeah, he's comfortably worth a 30% cap deal. If he wins DPOY (I believe the only way he's eligible for a 35% max deal) perhaps Memphis works out something like a 32% deal for him - more than any other team could offer anyways.

[babyjax13]

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

I think almost any team would be happy to pay him 5/250. If Memphis doesn't want to offer the supermax I agree they should trade him, but no team they deal him to will have the ability to offer that so his value should still be high.

Yeah, he's comfortably worth a 30% cap deal. If he wins DPOY (I believe the only way he's eligible for a 35% max deal) perhaps Memphis works out something like a 32% deal for him - more than any other team could offer anyways.

Which is what Utah did with Gobert, and we never regretted it.

[jredsaz]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Right now, sure. But his point about a max extension stands. Suns may have to send back some value but the Grizz aren’t looking like a team ready to stand pat this offseason. That doesn’t mean that this deal or any KD deal will happen but the thinking is sound.

And Durant will need to be extended for 2 more years. I'd rather have JJJ for 5 more years at age 26, than Durant for 3 at age 37. There's a large gap in value no matter how you slice it.

Like is said, that long and large of a commitment impacts player value and the Grizz aren’t in a position where I see them being comfortable standing pat. I can see them moving a big piece this offseason and because of that potential max contract, JJJ might be the one. Durant could make sense in return but again, like I said, phoenix might have to send value back to Memphis.

[babyjax13]

Right now, sure. But his point about a max extension stands. Suns may have to send back some value but the Grizz aren’t looking like a team ready to stand pat this offseason. That doesn’t mean that this deal or any KD deal will happen but the thinking is sound.

And Durant will need to be extended for 2 more years. I'd rather have JJJ for 5 more years at age 26, than Durant for 3 at age 37. There's a large gap in value no matter how you slice it.

Like is said, that long and large of a commitment impacts player value and the Grizz aren’t in a position where I see them being comfortable standing pat. I can see them moving a big piece this offseason and because of that potential max contract, JJJ might be the one. Durant could make sense in return but again, like I said, phoenix might have to send value back to Memphis.

Phoenix doesn't have much value to send. If they trade JJJ, I think they'd (rightfully) demand Booker from Phoenix, and I don't see that happening. They'd want someone younger. Maybe there could be something around Bane and whatever bad money Memphis has for Durant? I'd still rather have Bane, but that seems a lot closer.

[jredsaz]

And Durant will need to be extended for 2 more years. I'd rather have JJJ for 5 more years at age 26, than Durant for 3 at age 37. There's a large gap in value no matter how you slice it.

Like is said, that long and large of a commitment impacts player value and the Grizz aren’t in a position where I see them being comfortable standing pat. I can see them moving a big piece this offseason and because of that potential max contract, JJJ might be the one. Durant could make sense in return but again, like I said, phoenix might have to send value back to Memphis.

Phoenix doesn't have much value to send. If they trade JJJ, I think they'd (rightfully) demand Booker from Phoenix, and I don't see that happening. They'd want someone younger. Maybe there could be something around Bane and whatever bad money Memphis has for Durant? I'd still rather have Bane, but that seems a lot closer.

Grizz might be ready to make some big moves. That means Ja or JJJ. I think Ja is the one who is on the way out this year or next. But, if they move JJJ, pairing Ja/Bane/Eddy/Well with Durant makes sense if they want to compete.

Also, like I said initially, the way that happens is if the league is skeptical about offering prime trade value and then paying JJJ 30% max money. With the new rules, max contracts are a really big deal. I read that all the time around here. The Suns are the poster child of this reality.

[babyjax13]

Like is said, that long and large of a commitment impacts player value and the Grizz aren’t in a position where I see them being comfortable standing pat. I can see them moving a big piece this offseason and because of that potential max contract, JJJ might be the one. Durant could make sense in return but again, like I said, phoenix might have to send value back to Memphis.

Phoenix doesn't have much value to send. If they trade JJJ, I think they'd (rightfully) demand Booker from Phoenix, and I don't see that happening. They'd want someone younger. Maybe there could be something around Bane and whatever bad money Memphis has for Durant? I'd still rather have Bane, but that seems a lot closer.

Grizz might be ready to make some big moves. That means Ja or JJJ. I think Ja is the one who is on the way out this year or next. But, if they move JJJ, pairing Ja/Bane/Eddy/Well with Durant makes sense if they want to compete.

Also, like I said initially, the way that happens is if the league is skeptical about offering prime trade value and then paying JJJ 30% max money. With the new rules, max contracts are a really big deal. I read that all the time around here. The Suns are the poster child of this reality.

I just strongly disagree with this premise. Even assuming they don't want to offer that contract, they wouldn't be trading a 25 year old star for someone who will be 37 at the beginning of next season and is less impactful at the moment than JJJ. They'd target someone younger who could play next to Ja and Bane for quite a while. I'm not exactly sure who that is - maybe Sabonis + some picks ... again, assuming that they had sincere doubts about their ability to retain JJJ or the wisdom of offering a large contract ... but I feel confident it wouldn't be Durant. I think you are looking at a lower-caliber player. e.g., I've suggested Lauri in a 3-way. Maybe Sabonis is possible in a three-team deal, maybe Trae since he is expiring (again, in a 3-team deal)?

[jredsaz]

Phoenix doesn't have much value to send. If they trade JJJ, I think they'd (rightfully) demand Booker from Phoenix, and I don't see that happening. They'd want someone younger. Maybe there could be something around Bane and whatever bad money Memphis has for Durant? I'd still rather have Bane, but that seems a lot closer.

Grizz might be ready to make some big moves. That means Ja or JJJ. I think Ja is the one who is on the way out this year or next. But, if they move JJJ, pairing Ja/Bane/Eddy/Well with Durant makes sense if they want to compete.

Also, like I said initially, the way that happens is if the league is skeptical about offering prime trade value and then paying JJJ 30% max money. With the new rules, max contracts are a really big deal. I read that all the time around here. The Suns are the poster child of this reality.

I just strongly disagree with this premise. Even assuming they don't want to offer that contract, they wouldn't be trading a 25 year old star for someone who will be 37 at the beginning of next season and is less impactful at the moment than JJJ. They'd target someone younger who could play next to Ja and Bane for quite a while. I'm not exactly sure who that is - maybe Sabonis + some picks ... again, assuming that they had sincere doubts about their ability to retain JJJ or the wisdom of offering a large contract ... but I feel confident it wouldn't be Durant. I think you are looking at a lower-caliber player. e.g., I've suggested Lauri in a 3-way. Maybe Sabonis is possible in a three-team deal, maybe Trae since he is expiring (again, in a 3-team deal)?

Who is you? The Suns? Yeah, I don’t think it’s at all likely that JJJ gets moved and I think the return for KD is going to be significantly less than JJJ. But I don’t think it’s crazy that Memphis would prefer Durant over Sabonis. I’m arguing in favor of the logic not the likelihood.

[babyjax13]

Grizz might be ready to make some big moves. That means Ja or JJJ. I think Ja is the one who is on the way out this year or next. But, if they move JJJ, pairing Ja/Bane/Eddy/Well with Durant makes sense if they want to compete.

Also, like I said initially, the way that happens is if the league is skeptical about offering prime trade value and then paying JJJ 30% max money. With the new rules, max contracts are a really big deal. I read that all the time around here. The Suns are the poster child of this reality.

I just strongly disagree with this premise. Even assuming they don't want to offer that contract, they wouldn't be trading a 25 year old star for someone who will be 37 at the beginning of next season and is less impactful at the moment than JJJ. They'd target someone younger who could play next to Ja and Bane for quite a while. I'm not exactly sure who that is - maybe Sabonis + some picks ... again, assuming that they had sincere doubts about their ability to retain JJJ or the wisdom of offering a large contract ... but I feel confident it wouldn't be Durant. I think you are looking at a lower-caliber player. e.g., I've suggested Lauri in a 3-way. Maybe Sabonis is possible in a three-team deal, maybe Trae since he is expiring (again, in a 3-team deal)?

Who is you? The Suns? Yeah, I don’t think it’s at all likely that JJJ gets moved and I think the return for KD is going to be significantly less than JJJ. But I don’t think it’s crazy that Memphis would prefer Durant over Sabonis. I’m arguing in favor of the logic not the likelihood.

Sorry, yes, "you" is the Suns. I think the difference is that other teams have assets they can add. Sacramento has a lot of picks and nice prospects. Phoenix has Durant, some "worst of" picks, and Dunn/Ighodoro. That's about it. So if it comes down to any kind of bidding war Phoenix will lose, and for JJJ it would. If Phoenix had a bunch of assets maybe I could see it? e.g., if it were something like Durant + a lottery pick + a future first or two, maybe Memphis could talk themselves into spinning those for another player to pair with Durant, Ja, and Bane.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Jackson is massively more valuable than Durant.

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

I think almost any team would be happy to pay him 5/250. If Memphis doesn't want to offer the supermax I agree they should trade him, but no team they deal him to will have the ability to offer that so his value should still be high.

Hmm...maybe? I don't think Indiana would be looking to add him as he doesn't increase our ceiling given his weaknesses as a post-season performer. On the contrary, Atlanta would love to have him as a 5-out spacing big man to cover for Trae.

[jayjaysee]

I’d much rather pay JJJ 5yr250.. with thr rising cap, that’s not even his 5yr max..

I don’t think Phoenix has the assets to fix this without involving Booker.

I’m still thinking Memphis is able to renegotiate and extend JJJ and his future deal ends up being a good amount below the max or super max.. JJJ isn’t the problem in Memphis.

[tmorgan]

All this crazy talk, along with JJJ’s dud in game one, has me hoping Memphis really is epically stupid enough to consider trading him, but only because I want him in Detroit so badly.

Still don’t know how we’d get him, though. There would be big offers on the table from a lot of teams.

[Scoot McGroot]

Is he? Who is going to want to pay him 5/250 or 5/343?

I think almost any team would be happy to pay him 5/250. If Memphis doesn't want to offer the supermax I agree they should trade him, but no team they deal him to will have the ability to offer that so his value should still be high.

Hmm...maybe? I don't think Indiana would be looking to add him as he doesn't increase our ceiling given his weaknesses as a post-season performer. On the contrary, Atlanta would love to have him as a 5-out spacing big man to cover for Trae.

I would think Indy would have a ton of interest. Whether that’s at center in place of Myles, or in a swap where Siakam is moved, I don’t know. But a Myles/JJJ pairing makes it very easy to let Mathurin run offensively as the 3 long term, or to swap guys in and out there. And the Simon’s do seem to love Indy products, with as hard as he dictated the chase for Hayward a couple years back.

[Mamba4Goat]

I don’t get the rationale for Memphis. If the crux of the argument is not overpaying JJJ and risking losing him for nothing, why wouldn’t you want a player either under a long term contract that’s easier to stomach or youth to grow with the franchise?