Durant to Spurs with Hornets

[One_and_Done]

Yeah, I think just 8 should be good for a 37 year old. Getting Sochan should make it a good deal for Phoenix.

I like it for all three.

SAS becomes a contender if Wemby is healthy. Have plenty of assets left to fill any hole and then retool in a couple years. If they don’t think Wemby will be healthy, there’s no reason to do anything at all..

I'm not even sure OKC would trade the #8 for KD, so why would the Spurs who aren't a contender yet?

[JMAC3]

I think Suns will get a much better package than this because the playoffs are setting up to have a bunch of teams disappointed they didn't make it out of the first round. Minny, Houston, Memphis, Denver, Detroit, Miami etc... I could see any of those teams willing to send a few starters for KD.

[KembaWalker]

Hornets aren’t really in a position to downgrade talent and age for vague “getting serious” reasons. There’s nothing serious about adding Harrison Barnes to your team because he played college ball at UNC 100 years ago. Would need a draft pick similar to the PJ/Grant deal otherwise there’s no point

[Texas Chuck]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

[KembaWalker]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

no, the actual argument is that it makes no sense because its a significant talent and age downgrade for literally no reason whatsoever, as you recognized. if you try to justify a trade by saying the guy played college ball in the same state as the team then that should be a red flag you're way off base

[Andre Roberstan]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

no, the actual argument is that it makes no sense because its a significant talent and age downgrade for literally no reason whatsoever, as you recognized. if you try to justify a trade by saying the guy played college ball in the same state as the team then that should be a red flag you're way off base

I think you're undervaluing Barnes a little bit here ... he IS an on-the-court downgrade but he'd bring a level of professionalism to that locker room and steadiness to the roster that would probably help. YMMV on whether that's enough to make up for the on-court gap.

[Texas Chuck]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

no, the actual argument is that it makes no sense because its a significant talent and age downgrade for literally no reason whatsoever, as you recognized. if you try to justify a trade by saying the guy played college ball in the same state as the team then that should be a red flag you're way off base

No that's a bonus worth mentioning. The real reason is to subtract Bridges who I have as a net negative. The fact that Barnes can still play and is a great veteran to have around your young core (Ball, Miller, Williams, draft pick, etc) is a nice bonus. We have seen the difference this has made for other teams.

Again, you seem to think Bridges is a good player and if so, you should keep him rather than make a deal like this. I just strongly disagree on the player.

But the focus on a side comment is an odd focus either way.

[KembaWalker]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

no, the actual argument is that it makes no sense because its a significant talent and age downgrade for literally no reason whatsoever, as you recognized. if you try to justify a trade by saying the guy played college ball in the same state as the team then that should be a red flag you're way off base

No that's a bonus worth mentioning. The real reason is to subtract Bridges who I have as a net negative. The fact that Barnes can still play and is a great veteran to have around your young core (Ball, Miller, Williams, draft pick, etc) is a nice bonus. We have seen the difference this has made for other teams.

Again, you seem to think Bridges is a good player and if so, you should keep him rather than make a deal like this. I just strongly disagree on the player.

But the focus on a side comment is an odd focus either way.

not sure why youre being so oddly hostile, just saying that the justification isn't really there which you haven't backed up. maybe youll find a Hornets fan that would go for this, I doubt it. have a good one

[Texas Chuck]

Clarification /= hostile, but I agree you and I aren't going to reach common ground on Bridges. You value him much higher than me and neither of us is going to convince the other to reconsider.

[kenwood3333]

This is as realistic as the Suns can get for KD. But seeing how the Suns owner operated in the past, he would opt for big name players rather than focusing on how to build a team. Something like a KD and PG13 swap.

[Texas Chuck]

This is as realistic as the Suns can get for KD. But seeing how the Suns owner operated in the past, he would opt for big name players rather than focusing on how to build a team.

I'm assuming Durant is going to drive this more than Ishiba, right? But what big name players do you see available for KD? Butler didn't pan out, and that seems only more unlikely now with how well that worked.

[KembaWalker]

What isn't particularly serious is seeing PJ for Grant Williams as the same valuation as Bridges for Barnes. PJ was a useful player on a fair deal being traded for a guy on a long-term deal Dallas was willing to pay to dump. This is a guy who puts up numbers but doesn't contribute to winning, has serious off-court concerns on a long-term deal for a true professional on an expiring.

Just no reason at all to think the Hornets would be due a similar incentive in such a different situation. Now if your actual argument is you still believe in Bridges on and off the court, cool. Charlotte can easily be cut out here. But zero reason for them to suck value out just because you'd like it lol.

no, the actual argument is that it makes no sense because its a significant talent and age downgrade for literally no reason whatsoever, as you recognized. if you try to justify a trade by saying the guy played college ball in the same state as the team then that should be a red flag you're way off base

I think you're undervaluing Barnes a little bit here ... he IS an on-the-court downgrade but he'd bring a level of professionalism to that locker room and steadiness to the roster that would probably help. YMMV on whether that's enough to make up for the on-court gap.

you can sign professionalism and steadiness for the vet minimum in free agency, you don't downgrade talent and 5 years of prime age to do it.

[wemby]

Miles Bridges is like a Keldon Johnson with bad attitude and a criminal record, only on higher usage. People here complain about Keldon's contract... it's much better than Bridges. Barnes is easily more valuable for a young core, dude started a book club for young Spurs players, Bridges probably has them touring clubs.

[jayjaysee]

Yeah, I think just 8 should be good for a 37 year old. Getting Sochan should make it a good deal for Phoenix.

I like it for all three.

SAS becomes a contender if Wemby is healthy. Have plenty of assets left to fill any hole and then retool in a couple years. If they don’t think Wemby will be healthy, there’s no reason to do anything at all..

I'm not even sure OKC would trade the #8 for KD, so why would the Spurs who aren't a contender yet?

OKC might be the last team in the league to trade for KD? So I’m not sure what they have to do with it?

But OKC also only has one year before their tax bill comes due for their three stars. So it’s a really different situation? But if KD didn’t leave how he left and if OKC could afford to give him a one year extension? That’s easily worth the 8th pick.

Think Houston and the 9th pick would have been a better example here for you… Pretty similar situation as SAS, except better.. Amen’s rookie contract means you can give KD an extension and run the group for 2 years…

SAS has Fox and Wemby. If Wemby is healthy, SAS is going for playoff wins next season. Adding KD means they might/should be a contender next season if Wemby is as impactful as it looks like he should be?

[kenwood3333]

This is as realistic as the Suns can get for KD. But seeing how the Suns owner operated in the past, he would opt for big name players rather than focusing on how to build a team.

I'm assuming Durant is going to drive this more than Ishiba, right? But what big name players do you see available for KD? Butler didn't pan out, and that seems only more unlikely now with how well that worked.

PG13, works on trade checker

[Snakebites]

I don't think that package would be overly interesting to the Suns, especially since it is really light on draft assets. None of the players acquired have any star potential, but are all solid players and come from an excellent franchise.

I am guessing the 2 main goals in a KD trade will be for Phoenix to get under the 2nd apron (not sure if this trade accomplishes that) and for Phoenix to get back some future draft assets.

I think the Suns need to come around to the idea that KD doesn't have the value he did a few years ago.

[SA37]

I don't think that package would be overly interesting to the Suns, especially since it is really light on draft assets. None of the players acquired have any star potential, but are all solid players and come from an excellent franchise.

I am guessing the 2 main goals in a KD trade will be for Phoenix to get under the 2nd apron (not sure if this trade accomplishes that) and for Phoenix to get back some future draft assets.

I think the Suns need to come around to the idea that KD doesn't have the value he did a few years ago.

I am going to disagree because I think there will be a multi-team market for him (Miami, Memphis, the Knicks, Detroit, possibly the Rockets or San Antonio) and that will give the Suns more options than they might otherwise have had.

I think the Suns can get back a starter, a rotation player, and 2 conditional 1sts for Durant.

[Snakebites]

I don't think that package would be overly interesting to the Suns, especially since it is really light on draft assets. None of the players acquired have any star potential, but are all solid players and come from an excellent franchise.

I am guessing the 2 main goals in a KD trade will be for Phoenix to get under the 2nd apron (not sure if this trade accomplishes that) and for Phoenix to get back some future draft assets.

I think the Suns need to come around to the idea that KD doesn't have the value he did a few years ago.

I am going to disagree because I think there will be a multi-team market for him (Miami, Memphis, the Knicks, Detroit, possibly the Rockets or San Antonio) and that will give the Suns more options than they might otherwise have had.

I think the Suns can get back a starter, a rotation player, and 2 conditional 1sts for Durant.

To be fair, that return WOULD be quite a bit less than what they paid for him a few years ago, right?

Depending on the quality of the picks and player of course.

[SA37]

I think the Suns need to come around to the idea that KD doesn't have the value he did a few years ago.

I am going to disagree because I think there will be a multi-team market for him (Miami, Memphis, the Knicks, Detroit, possibly the Rockets or San Antonio) and that will give the Suns more options than they might otherwise have had.

I think the Suns can get back a starter, a rotation player, and 2 conditional 1sts for Durant.

To be fair, that return WOULD be quite a bit less than what they paid for him a few years ago, right?

Depending on the quality of the picks and player of course.

I think Phoenix can get something similar to the haul they gave up in 2023 (Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected future first-round picks), with the exception of the picks.

I think the Jimmy Butler haul is probably a solid example of what could be expected (Wiggins, Shröder, Kyle Anderson, and a top-10 protected 1st all went out)

So something like:

Houston gets Durant
Phoenix gets VanVleet, C Whitmore, #27 in 2025 Draft, and a lotto-protected future 1st ( OR the lotto pick in 2025 if Houston doesn't move up OR Reed Shephard OR Jabari Smith)

Miami gets Durant
Phoenix gets Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, #20 in 2025, and a lotto-protected future 1st (OR Jovic)

Knicks get Durant
Phoenix gets M Bridges, M Robinson, McBride, #26 in 2025, and a future 1st


And I think that future draft asset in all cases comes because there will be a small bidding war.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Paul tells KD if he comes, he will come back for one more year behind Fox.

Spurs trade: Sochan/Keldon/Barnes/#8
Spurs get: KD

Suns trade: KD
Suns get: Bridges/Keldon/Sochan/#8

Hornets trade: Bridges
Hornets get: Barnes

Hornets decide its time to get serious about team-building and culture. They cut the future money due Bridges and bring in a Carolina guy for a year to showcase professionalism and it doesn't hurt that he can still play half the game and make 3's.

Suns gamble on the talent of Bridges over Barnes, hope to turn Keldon into a PG or center, give Sochan a run, and get pick 8. While getting KD to a destination he likes.

Spurs add KD to Wemby/Fox and Co without giving up a single core piece nor Castle nor any future picks. So this is the kind of bargain price where you believe in your young superstar and your hand-picked co-star by giving them an elite scorer.

This trade is more reasonable and closer to equitable value for KD. And although the Suns wouldn't have much interest in Johnson as he'd be fairly redundant to O'neale as an undersized frontcourt SF/ PF that has taken a step back productively. Sochan is solid for their defensive needs even though he can't really shoot.

And Bridges is another solid player that addresses a need for an athletic wing/ forward that could help carry the load offensively, allowing Beal to still come off the bench in a super 6th man role. And that would boost bench production for when Booker sits.

Not at all ideal for what the Suns are looking for, but reasonably better than what's been promoted on the board as of late. And most importantly, the 8th pick addresses value in the form of cost controlled talent acquisition or as a premium trade asset in a trade back scenario or towards acquiring other assets to reconstruct the roster hopefully better??