The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 1

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Blasphemous but I already enjoy watching the Spurs with Wemby and CP3. Wemby and KD on the same team would be even more enjoyable to watch

Vassell Barnes and a pick?

It would have to be significantly more than that honestly man. Especially given the necessity of salary matching, and KDs' consensus market value.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

I've promoted a package of Vassell/ Barnes/ Sochan/ 2 1sts. And honestly, I wouldn't gift KD to the Spurs for anything less than one of those two packages. Personally, I wouldn't want Johnson, because hes pretty redundant to O'neale as an undersized frontcourt scoring forward. His defense is lousy, and his athleticism is meh. But the 3rd 1st makes up for it at least somewhat!

And his $17 million contract would expire (come off the books) around the same time as Beal's in 27. Adding $17 million to Beal's $57 million, giving us upwards of $74 million for 27 free agency.

The biggest aspect of the trade for me would be the specifics around the picks involved. I personally wouldn't accept any garbage picks in the deal for KD. Something like:

1- Atlanta 25' 1st ( 14th pick).
2- Atlanta 27' 1st.
3- 2030 1st ( Dal or Minnesota swap rights)
** Dallas 30' 1st is unprotected.
** Minnesota 30' 1st is only top 1 protected.

Also kind of interesting is that Mikal Bridges is an unrestricted free agent in 26, and Cam Johnson is an unrestricted free agent in 27.

So if our front office were at all clever, they could have Booker talk to both Bridges and Johnson about a reunion here in Phoenix. This could be rather easily accomplished by doing this:

1- NYK/ PHOENIX-

KD for Bridges/ Mitchell/ Hart (**flipped to another team for assets)/ WAS 26' 1st (protected 1-10)/ NYK 30' 1st/ 28' 2nd (via IND or PHX).

2- Beal comes off the Books in 27.

We'd have already added Mikal back in a trade, now with over 57 million in cap space, we can offer Cam Johnson a generous free agency contract for $30 million ( descending over 4). Then use the remaining 27 million + on depth pieces too. And when Mitchell's 14 million comes off the books, we can target center and point guard options??

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

This is why you don't accept Wiggins back in any KD/ Heat package unless Ware and picks are included. And even then I'm not sure I'd do it without th MIA 26 unprotected 1st being involved somehow. I might want that pick more than one in this 25' draft honestly.

[lilfishi22]

Blasphemous but I already enjoy watching the Spurs with Wemby and CP3. Wemby and KD on the same team would be even more enjoyable to watch

Vassell Barnes and a pick?

It would have to be significantly more than that honestly man. Especially given the necessity of salary matching, and KDs' consensus market value.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

I've promoted a package of Vassell/ Barnes/ Sochan/ 2 1sts. And honestly, I wouldn't gift KD to the Spurs for anything less than one of those two packages. Personally, I wouldn't want Johnson, because hes pretty redundant to O'neale as an undersized frontcourt scoring forward. His defense is lousy, and his athleticism is meh. But the 3rd 1st makes up for it at least somewhat!

And his $17 million contract would expire (come off the books) around the same time as Beal's in 27. Adding $17 million to Beal's $57 million, giving us upwards of $74 million for 27 free agency.

The biggest aspect of the trade for me would be the specifics around the picks involved. I personally wouldn't accept any garbage picks in the deal for KD. Something like:

1- Atlanta 25' 1st ( 14th pick).
2- Atlanta 27' 1st.
3- 2030 1st ( Dal or Minnesota swap rights)
** Dallas 30' 1st is unprotected.
** Minnesota 30' 1st is only top 1 protected.

Also kind of interesting is that Mikal Bridges is an unrestricted free agent in 26, and Cam Johnson is an unrestricted free agent in 27.

So if our front office were at all clever, they could have Booker talk to both Bridges and Johnson about a reunion here in Phoenix. This could be rather easily accomplished by doing this:

1- NYK/ PHOENIX-

KD for Bridges/ Mitchell/ Hart (**flipped to another team for assets)/ WAS 26' 1st (protected 1-10)/ NYK 30' 1st/ 28' 2nd (via IND or PHX).

2- Beal comes off the Books in 27.

We'd have already added Mikal back in a trade, now with over 57 million in cap space, we can offer Cam Johnson a generous free agency contract for $30 million ( descending over 4). Then use the remaining 27 million + on depth pieces too. And when Mitchell's 14 million comes off the books, we can target center and point guard options??

I don't think you're getting two of their young guys (Vassel/Sochan) and 2 FRPs. You could start negotiations with that but I think you're walking away with probably one of the two young guys and 2 FRPs as a best case scenario. 2 young guys and 2 FRPs doesn't feel realistic to me.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

And unless there was a different report you're referencing, the report I saw on this did not put KD's value as the above. It was posited that because Ishbia mentioned we didn't want to let KD go for less than what we gave up for him, we would likely demand something similar from other teams and that frameworks of the package from the Spurs would have to look like the above. But what it does not say is this is KD's value and they also said it was unlikely.

According to a new report from ClutchPoints, the Suns won't be willing to accept anything less than they sent out for Durant two years ago; the four-team deal saw Phoenix part with Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.

If that holds, the Spurs would likely have to include a package of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and potentially Keldon Johnson along with a slew of first-round picks — and given the importance placed on youth development, that's unlikely.

[MrMiyagi]

Read on Twitter

This is why you don't accept Wiggins back in any KD/ Heat package unless Ware and picks are included. And even then I'm not sure I'd do it without th MIA 26 unprotected 1st being involved somehow. I might want that pick more than one in this 25' draft honestly.

1-2-3-CANCUN!

[thamadkant]

Wiggins tuned out already.

Another player that requires good leadership. Body language reminds me of Booker last playoff series when Suns were down big.

[KdoubleDees23]

Rockets losing helps us with KD.

Give me Jabari Smith, FVV, Eason, and 1st for KD

[Ghost of Kleine]

Vassell Barnes and a pick?

It would have to be significantly more than that honestly man. Especially given the necessity of salary matching, and KDs' consensus market value.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

I've promoted a package of Vassell/ Barnes/ Sochan/ 2 1sts. And honestly, I wouldn't gift KD to the Spurs for anything less than one of those two packages. Personally, I wouldn't want Johnson, because hes pretty redundant to O'neale as an undersized frontcourt scoring forward. His defense is lousy, and his athleticism is meh. But the 3rd 1st makes up for it at least somewhat!

And his $17 million contract would expire (come off the books) around the same time as Beal's in 27. Adding $17 million to Beal's $57 million, giving us upwards of $74 million for 27 free agency.

The biggest aspect of the trade for me would be the specifics around the picks involved. I personally wouldn't accept any garbage picks in the deal for KD. Something like:

1- Atlanta 25' 1st ( 14th pick).
2- Atlanta 27' 1st.
3- 2030 1st ( Dal or Minnesota swap rights)
** Dallas 30' 1st is unprotected.
** Minnesota 30' 1st is only top 1 protected.

Also kind of interesting is that Mikal Bridges is an unrestricted free agent in 26, and Cam Johnson is an unrestricted free agent in 27.

So if our front office were at all clever, they could have Booker talk to both Bridges and Johnson about a reunion here in Phoenix. This could be rather easily accomplished by doing this:

1- NYK/ PHOENIX-

KD for Bridges/ Mitchell/ Hart (**flipped to another team for assets)/ WAS 26' 1st (protected 1-10)/ NYK 30' 1st/ 28' 2nd (via IND or PHX).

2- Beal comes off the Books in 27.

We'd have already added Mikal back in a trade, now with over 57 million in cap space, we can offer Cam Johnson a generous free agency contract for $30 million ( descending over 4). Then use the remaining 27 million + on depth pieces too. And when Mitchell's 14 million comes off the books, we can target center and point guard options??

I don't think you're getting two of their young guys (Vassel/Sochan) and 2 FRPs. You could start negotiations with that but I think you're walking away with probably one of the two young guys and 2 FRPs as a best case scenario. 2 young guys and 2 FRPs doesn't feel realistic to me.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

And unless there was a different report you're referencing, the report I saw on this did not put KD's value as the above. It was posited that because Ishbia mentioned we didn't want to let KD go for less than what we gave up for him, we would likely demand something similar from other teams and that frameworks of the package from the Spurs would have to look like the above. But what it does not say is this is KD's value and they also said it was unlikely.

According to a new report from ClutchPoints, the Suns won't be willing to accept anything less than they sent out for Durant two years ago; the four-team deal saw Phoenix part with Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.

If that holds, the Spurs would likely have to include a package of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and potentially Keldon Johnson along with a slew of first-round picks — and given the importance placed on youth development, that's unlikely.

That's cool man! Everyone is entitled to their perspectives. But it's important to remember that having multiple suitors will of course exacerbate value returns in a bidding scenario.

Now of course people can argue value exchange outcome for trades, but you should always start high end the both teams negotiate back and forth trying to leverage various factors to swing trades in their favor.

But again, having multiple bidders swings things in favor at least reasonably if not by alot. Also depending upon the nature of those teams interest and attached desperation, those factors can also be leveraged ( if our front office can actually negotiate with even a modicum of confidence and strength).

Lastly, the underlying fact that KD still wants to be here and admittedly likes playing with Book dramatically reduces any pressure on us to HAVE TO TRADE HIM. So even though trading KD may illicit the most favorable package outcome for our long term interests, we're still not in a desperate " must trade him or lose him for nothing scenario.

All of these factors empower us to demand higher value returns from a KD trade or comfortably not choose to give him away for pennies on the dollar!

And this is what I was referencing:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/blockbuster-nba-trade-idea-sends-kevin-durant-to-spurs-01jr6dgsrp6c

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey crafted a blockbuster three-team mock trade between the Spurs, Suns, and Brooklyn Nets that would pair Durant with Wembanyama.

Spurs Receive: 
Kevin Durant and a 2030 second-round pick from Brooklyn.

Suns Receive: 
Nicolas Claxton, Keldon Johnson, a 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio (via Atlanta), a 2029 first-round pick from San Antonio and a 2031 first-round pick from San Antonio.

Nets Receive: 
Devin Vassell, a 2025 second-round pick from Phoenix (via Denver) and a 2026 first-round pick swap from San Antonio.

Then there's also this:

The Trade Package

Durant being convinced of the Spurs’ worthiness is their biggest obstacle. Due to their cache of first-round picks, San Antonio’s trade package would be particularly enticing. Even if Phoenix wants to compete for a championship every year, the picks they receive from San Antonio could be the master key for future transactions.

In addition, the Spurs could offer up starting-caliber wings in Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan, multi-skilled young players with a defensive edge, would appeal to the Suns. Lastly, they have an established and battle-tested veteran in Harrison Barnes.

If the Spurs were to offer Castle, Barnes, Johnson and 2-3 first-rounders, they could probably get a deal done. Offering Vassell rather than Johnson would make it that much harder to pass up.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/san-antonio-spurs-possible-trade-150940379.html

The league insider then mentioned Vassell and Barnes as being the Spurs' best trade chips. If the Spurs could add Durant for the low price of Barnes, Vassell, and perhaps Blake Wesley, as well as three draft picks, it's hard to argue against that.

So in examining all of these various articles, proposals, etc. It seems that KDs' consensus value (among the NBA experts/ pundits) falls within the range of 2 solid players and 3 1sts. At least that's how I'm interpreting it for my part.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

This is why you don't accept Wiggins back in any KD/ Heat package unless Ware and picks are included. And even then I'm not sure I'd do it without th MIA 26 unprotected 1st being involved somehow. I might want that pick more than one in this 25' draft honestly.

If the Heat really wants KD they need to trade Bam Adebayo for him.

We would have a downgrade in talent and scoring but we would improve our defense and hustle.

KD for Adebayo, Kyle Anderson (filler) and 2031 unprotected FRP.

They can pare his amazing young C Ware next to KD and Herro and called them BiG 3. And they have multiple role players/starters like Wiggins, Rozier, Jovic, Duncan Robinson...to put around them.

[Saberestar]

Another day, another trade idea lol.

Lakers. KD.
What do you think about trading KD to the Lakers for...

2031 unprotected FRP.
Rights to swap 2026, 2028 and 2030 FRPs.
2nd in 2025 (#55).

Austin Reaves ($14M, $15M)
Rui Hachimura ($18M expiring)
Vincent ($11M expiring)
Knecht ($4M, rookie contract)
Milton ($3M, salary filler)

The idea would be to get draft capital AND a borderline All-Star player entering his prime like Reaves.

We get Hachimura who is an starter level player and a good backup PG in Vincent.

I would trade Knetch + pick + filler for a good defensive frontcourt player. Mark Williams, Wendell Carter Jr, Claxton...

Not in love with the idea but it could make sense if we get lowball offers from others teams and KD wants badly to go to LA. I hope not.

Fixed ( red) I like Austin Reeves as a potential centerpiece along with Dalton Knecht and Hachimura for value. We don't have our 26' 1st to swap as that was idiotically given away to Charlotte in the Nurkic trade.

I say idiotic because now he's an 20 million expiring (almost) that we could have had while keeping that 1st and utilizing his expiring in a trade. Just another example of negligently giving away value to dump a player we didn't really need to trade, but could have just sat or sent home instead.

So the swaps are ok ( do we even have access to those pick years though)?? I thought they were swapped out or something? but ultimately something that I'm not sure we'd even end up using as our picks will likely be of greater value.

I do like the idea of getting Reeves and Knecht. But would probably keep Knecht and instead send Allen to Charlotte for Mark Williams and 33rd and 34th picks in this 25' draft (via CHO and NOP).

I'd keep Knecht because he's younger, on a cost controlled rookie scale contract, and could grow with our core. Also moving Allen's 16 million would help our cap situation much better. I'm not sure if I'd choose to keep Hachimura or trade him elsewhere, or just let him expire.

But the players package is intruiging. Even though I'd abhore doing anything to help the flakers and Lebron and Doncic get better! Especially after the league helped gift them Doncic for almost nothing!

Thanks for fixing his name, I don't know why I wrote it wrong lol.

I doubt we can get Mark Williams for Grayson Allen because the Hornets want picks and/or young players for him. Last trade was for Knetch/Unprotected pick and a swap.

All in all this trade is a long shot because I doubt the Lakers want to lose all their depth and draft capital, they probably prefer to get a healthy and athletic C to put next to Doncic, Reaves and LeBron.

[BobbieL]

It would have to be significantly more than that honestly man. Especially given the necessity of salary matching, and KDs' consensus market value.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

I've promoted a package of Vassell/ Barnes/ Sochan/ 2 1sts. And honestly, I wouldn't gift KD to the Spurs for anything less than one of those two packages. Personally, I wouldn't want Johnson, because hes pretty redundant to O'neale as an undersized frontcourt scoring forward. His defense is lousy, and his athleticism is meh. But the 3rd 1st makes up for it at least somewhat!

And his $17 million contract would expire (come off the books) around the same time as Beal's in 27. Adding $17 million to Beal's $57 million, giving us upwards of $74 million for 27 free agency.

The biggest aspect of the trade for me would be the specifics around the picks involved. I personally wouldn't accept any garbage picks in the deal for KD. Something like:

1- Atlanta 25' 1st ( 14th pick).
2- Atlanta 27' 1st.
3- 2030 1st ( Dal or Minnesota swap rights)
** Dallas 30' 1st is unprotected.
** Minnesota 30' 1st is only top 1 protected.

Also kind of interesting is that Mikal Bridges is an unrestricted free agent in 26, and Cam Johnson is an unrestricted free agent in 27.

So if our front office were at all clever, they could have Booker talk to both Bridges and Johnson about a reunion here in Phoenix. This could be rather easily accomplished by doing this:

1- NYK/ PHOENIX-

KD for Bridges/ Mitchell/ Hart (**flipped to another team for assets)/ WAS 26' 1st (protected 1-10)/ NYK 30' 1st/ 28' 2nd (via IND or PHX).

2- Beal comes off the Books in 27.

We'd have already added Mikal back in a trade, now with over 57 million in cap space, we can offer Cam Johnson a generous free agency contract for $30 million ( descending over 4). Then use the remaining 27 million + on depth pieces too. And when Mitchell's 14 million comes off the books, we can target center and point guard options??

I don't think you're getting two of their young guys (Vassel/Sochan) and 2 FRPs. You could start negotiations with that but I think you're walking away with probably one of the two young guys and 2 FRPs as a best case scenario. 2 young guys and 2 FRPs doesn't feel realistic to me.

The most recent reports given out by the NBA experts put KDs' value at a package of Johnson/ Barnes/ filler/ 3 1sts.

And unless there was a different report you're referencing, the report I saw on this did not put KD's value as the above. It was posited that because Ishbia mentioned we didn't want to let KD go for less than what we gave up for him, we would likely demand something similar from other teams and that frameworks of the package from the Spurs would have to look like the above. But what it does not say is this is KD's value and they also said it was unlikely.

According to a new report from ClutchPoints, the Suns won't be willing to accept anything less than they sent out for Durant two years ago; the four-team deal saw Phoenix part with Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.

If that holds, the Spurs would likely have to include a package of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and potentially Keldon Johnson along with a slew of first-round picks — and given the importance placed on youth development, that's unlikely.

That's cool man! Everyone is entitled to their perspectives. But it's important to remember that having multiple suitors will of course exacerbate value returns in a bidding scenario.

Now of course people can argue value exchange outcome for trades, but you should always start high end the both teams negotiate back and forth trying to leverage various factors to swing trades in their favor.

But again, having multiple bidders swings things in favor at least reasonably if not by alot. Also depending upon the nature of those teams interest and attached desperation, those factors can also be leveraged ( if our front office can actually negotiate with even a modicum of confidence and strength).

Lastly, the underlying fact that KD still wants to be here and admittedly likes playing with Book dramatically reduces any pressure on us to HAVE TO TRADE HIM. So even though trading KD may illicit the most favorable package outcome for our long term interests, we're still not in a desperate " must trade him or lose him for nothing scenario.

All of these factors empower us to demand higher value returns from a KD trade or comfortably not choose to give him away for pennies on the dollar!

And this is what I was referencing:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/blockbuster-nba-trade-idea-sends-kevin-durant-to-spurs-01jr6dgsrp6c

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey crafted a blockbuster three-team mock trade between the Spurs, Suns, and Brooklyn Nets that would pair Durant with Wembanyama.

Spurs Receive: 
Kevin Durant and a 2030 second-round pick from Brooklyn.

Suns Receive: 
Nicolas Claxton, Keldon Johnson, a 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio (via Atlanta), a 2029 first-round pick from San Antonio and a 2031 first-round pick from San Antonio.

Nets Receive: 
Devin Vassell, a 2025 second-round pick from Phoenix (via Denver) and a 2026 first-round pick swap from San Antonio.

Then there's also this:

The Trade Package

Durant being convinced of the Spurs’ worthiness is their biggest obstacle. Due to their cache of first-round picks, San Antonio’s trade package would be particularly enticing. Even if Phoenix wants to compete for a championship every year, the picks they receive from San Antonio could be the master key for future transactions.

In addition, the Spurs could offer up starting-caliber wings in Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan, multi-skilled young players with a defensive edge, would appeal to the Suns. Lastly, they have an established and battle-tested veteran in Harrison Barnes.

If the Spurs were to offer Castle, Barnes, Johnson and 2-3 first-rounders, they could probably get a deal done. Offering Vassell rather than Johnson would make it that much harder to pass up.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/san-antonio-spurs-possible-trade-150940379.html

The league insider then mentioned Vassell and Barnes as being the Spurs' best trade chips. If the Spurs could add Durant for the low price of Barnes, Vassell, and perhaps Blake Wesley, as well as three draft picks, it's hard to argue against that.

So in examining all of these various articles, proposals, etc. It seems that KDs' consensus value (among the NBA experts/ pundits) falls within the range of 2 solid players and 3 1sts. At least that's how I'm interpreting it for my part.

I know the PHNX-SUNS podcasters said that the Suns don't want their picks back from Houston as they think they won't be valuable but thats just stupid talk. Houston has both the Suns picks and good young talent. Its the best match

I don't hate that deal with the Spurs - but those picks aren't going to be worth a damn if they are hte Spurs

I just hear stuff from those podcasters and just not sure they understand the reality of the Suns. I mean, floating the idea that Beal will give up $30m in a buyout to leave. Or Erik possibly attaching a pick from the Durant trade to move Beal. And even if you move Beal, what are you taking back. Buying him to stretch him only causes long term pain

The move with Beal is taking the medicine and letting Beal be an expiring in 2027

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[Ghost of Kleine]

I don't think you're getting two of their young guys (Vassel/Sochan) and 2 FRPs. You could start negotiations with that but I think you're walking away with probably one of the two young guys and 2 FRPs as a best case scenario. 2 young guys and 2 FRPs doesn't feel realistic to me.

And unless there was a different report you're referencing, the report I saw on this did not put KD's value as the above. It was posited that because Ishbia mentioned we didn't want to let KD go for less than what we gave up for him, we would likely demand something similar from other teams and that frameworks of the package from the Spurs would have to look like the above. But what it does not say is this is KD's value and they also said it was unlikely.

That's cool man! Everyone is entitled to their perspectives. But it's important to remember that having multiple suitors will of course exacerbate value returns in a bidding scenario.

Now of course people can argue value exchange outcome for trades, but you should always start high end the both teams negotiate back and forth trying to leverage various factors to swing trades in their favor.

But again, having multiple bidders swings things in favor at least reasonably if not by alot. Also depending upon the nature of those teams interest and attached desperation, those factors can also be leveraged ( if our front office can actually negotiate with even a modicum of confidence and strength).

Lastly, the underlying fact that KD still wants to be here and admittedly likes playing with Book dramatically reduces any pressure on us to HAVE TO TRADE HIM. So even though trading KD may illicit the most favorable package outcome for our long term interests, we're still not in a desperate " must trade him or lose him for nothing scenario.

All of these factors empower us to demand higher value returns from a KD trade or comfortably not choose to give him away for pennies on the dollar!

And this is what I was referencing:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/blockbuster-nba-trade-idea-sends-kevin-durant-to-spurs-01jr6dgsrp6c

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey crafted a blockbuster three-team mock trade between the Spurs, Suns, and Brooklyn Nets that would pair Durant with Wembanyama.

Spurs Receive: 
Kevin Durant and a 2030 second-round pick from Brooklyn.

Suns Receive: 
Nicolas Claxton, Keldon Johnson, a 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio (via Atlanta), a 2029 first-round pick from San Antonio and a 2031 first-round pick from San Antonio.

Nets Receive: 
Devin Vassell, a 2025 second-round pick from Phoenix (via Denver) and a 2026 first-round pick swap from San Antonio.

Then there's also this:

The Trade Package

Durant being convinced of the Spurs’ worthiness is their biggest obstacle. Due to their cache of first-round picks, San Antonio’s trade package would be particularly enticing. Even if Phoenix wants to compete for a championship every year, the picks they receive from San Antonio could be the master key for future transactions.

In addition, the Spurs could offer up starting-caliber wings in Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan, multi-skilled young players with a defensive edge, would appeal to the Suns. Lastly, they have an established and battle-tested veteran in Harrison Barnes.

If the Spurs were to offer Castle, Barnes, Johnson and 2-3 first-rounders, they could probably get a deal done. Offering Vassell rather than Johnson would make it that much harder to pass up.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/san-antonio-spurs-possible-trade-150940379.html

The league insider then mentioned Vassell and Barnes as being the Spurs' best trade chips. If the Spurs could add Durant for the low price of Barnes, Vassell, and perhaps Blake Wesley, as well as three draft picks, it's hard to argue against that.

So in examining all of these various articles, proposals, etc. It seems that KDs' consensus value (among the NBA experts/ pundits) falls within the range of 2 solid players and 3 1sts. At least that's how I'm interpreting it for my part.

I know the PHNX-SUNS podcasters said that the Suns don't want their picks back from Houston as they think they won't be valuable but thats just stupid talk. Houston has both the Suns picks and good young talent. Its the best match

I don't hate that deal with the Spurs - but those picks aren't going to be worth a damn if they are hte Spurs

I just hear stuff from those podcasters and just not sure they understand the reality of the Suns. I mean, floating the idea that Beal will give up $30m in a buyout to leave. Or Erik possibly attaching a pick from the Durant trade to move Beal. And even if you move Beal, what are you taking back. Buying him to stretch him only causes long term pain

The move with Beal is taking the medicine and letting Beal be an expiring in 2027

I 1000% agree with you man! The smartest and most logical plan should be what we discussed in keeping Beal and letting him come off our books in 27 for massive cap flexibility to completely reload/ revamp our roster in a star studded/ very deep 2027 free agency.

And trade KD for the best young player/ picks package and let those young players grow with our core ( part of) and utilize the picks to bring in the highest value possible at our ranges from the draft creating a faux OKC/ Houston blueprint and/ or generating valuable cost controlled trade assets too. This would be a multi solution value reclamation strategy.

I will say that if the Spurs are the KD trade partner, the picks I've listed:

Atlanta 25' 1st (14th pick)/ Atlanta 27' 1st unprotected/ 2030 1st ** pick swap of either...
- Dallas 30' 1st (UNPROTECTED).
OR
- Minnesota 30' 1st (TOP 1 protected).

With these pick valued, you're basically getting three premium picks in the 24th pick being a lottery pick, and both the Atlanta 27 and the 2030 1st swap as likely being lottery tickets high lottery value. So that's 3 lottery picks and a 19 million expiring and a filler player in Johnson.

Overall pretty great value for KD (absent the player portion), but Johnson's 17 million would come off our books in 27 with Beal's money. This would boost our 27 free agency cap money to 74 million for that loaded free agency. So 74 million in a very loaded free agency, and 3 lottery picks as floor value.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Another day, another trade idea lol.

Lakers. KD.
What do you think about trading KD to the Lakers for...

2031 unprotected FRP.
Rights to swap 2026, 2028 and 2030 FRPs.
2nd in 2025 (#55).

Austin Reaves ($14M, $15M)
Rui Hachimura ($18M expiring)
Vincent ($11M expiring)
Knecht ($4M, rookie contract)
Milton ($3M, salary filler)

The idea would be to get draft capital AND a borderline All-Star player entering his prime like Reaves.

We get Hachimura who is an starter level player and a good backup PG in Vincent.

I would trade Knetch + pick + filler for a good defensive frontcourt player. Mark Williams, Wendell Carter Jr, Claxton...

Not in love with the idea but it could make sense if we get lowball offers from others teams and KD wants badly to go to LA. I hope not.

Fixed ( red) I like Austin Reeves as a potential centerpiece along with Dalton Knecht and Hachimura for value. We don't have our 26' 1st to swap as that was idiotically given away to Charlotte in the Nurkic trade.

I say idiotic because now he's an 20 million expiring (almost) that we could have had while keeping that 1st and utilizing his expiring in a trade. Just another example of negligently giving away value to dump a player we didn't really need to trade, but could have just sat or sent home instead.

So the swaps are ok ( do we even have access to those pick years though)?? I thought they were swapped out or something? but ultimately something that I'm not sure we'd even end up using as our picks will likely be of greater value.

I do like the idea of getting Reeves and Knecht. But would probably keep Knecht and instead send Allen to Charlotte for Mark Williams and 33rd and 34th picks in this 25' draft (via CHO and NOP).

I'd keep Knecht because he's younger, on a cost controlled rookie scale contract, and could grow with our core. Also moving Allen's 16 million would help our cap situation much better. I'm not sure if I'd choose to keep Hachimura or trade him elsewhere, or just let him expire.

But the players package is intruiging. Even though I'd abhore doing anything to help the flakers and Lebron and Doncic get better! Especially after the league helped gift them Doncic for almost nothing!

Thanks for fixing his name, I don't know why I wrote it wrong lol.

I doubt we can get Mark Williams for Grayson Allen because the Hornets want picks and/or young players for him. Last trade was for Knetch/Unprotected pick and a swap.

All in all this trade is a long shot because I doubt the Lakers want to lose all their depth and draft capital, they probably prefer to get a healthy and athletic C to put next to Doncic, Reaves and LeBron.

You could be right man, but I'm looking at it through this perspective in that Charlotte hasn't made the playoffs in forever, and they really don't want to lose their franchise player in Ball eventually asking out because they can't get things together. And they'll want to dramatically try and get better.

Now Knecht is the better talent, but Allen is the more developed/ impactful vet player that can help them competitively. Knecht is more of a developmental prospect that they may not feel they have the time to wait for.

In following their recent trend of trading for older vets to help guide/ mentor their young players to a more competitive outcome goal, swings this more towards targeting more experienced vet players with the intention of making the playoffs!

Also, they're pretty loaded on picks and young core talent already throughout their roster, and the few vets they do have haven't really worked out ideally, but they still traded for them purposefully. I believe this indicates intent to become more competitive by adding experienced vet players.

And the fact that they struggle so significantly to attract quality free agents and successfully execute high level trades belringing in top tier talent I'd believe also substantiates this feeling I get of them. But I do like your points on Knecht being an intriguing value to any team!!

[BobbieL]

That's cool man! Everyone is entitled to their perspectives. But it's important to remember that having multiple suitors will of course exacerbate value returns in a bidding scenario.

Now of course people can argue value exchange outcome for trades, but you should always start high end the both teams negotiate back and forth trying to leverage various factors to swing trades in their favor.

But again, having multiple bidders swings things in favor at least reasonably if not by alot. Also depending upon the nature of those teams interest and attached desperation, those factors can also be leveraged ( if our front office can actually negotiate with even a modicum of confidence and strength).

Lastly, the underlying fact that KD still wants to be here and admittedly likes playing with Book dramatically reduces any pressure on us to HAVE TO TRADE HIM. So even though trading KD may illicit the most favorable package outcome for our long term interests, we're still not in a desperate " must trade him or lose him for nothing scenario.

All of these factors empower us to demand higher value returns from a KD trade or comfortably not choose to give him away for pennies on the dollar!

And this is what I was referencing:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

https://www.si.com/nba/spurs/news/blockbuster-nba-trade-idea-sends-kevin-durant-to-spurs-01jr6dgsrp6c



Then there's also this:



https://sports.yahoo.com/article/san-antonio-spurs-possible-trade-150940379.html


So in examining all of these various articles, proposals, etc. It seems that KDs' consensus value (among the NBA experts/ pundits) falls within the range of 2 solid players and 3 1sts. At least that's how I'm interpreting it for my part.

I know the PHNX-SUNS podcasters said that the Suns don't want their picks back from Houston as they think they won't be valuable but thats just stupid talk. Houston has both the Suns picks and good young talent. Its the best match

I don't hate that deal with the Spurs - but those picks aren't going to be worth a damn if they are hte Spurs

I just hear stuff from those podcasters and just not sure they understand the reality of the Suns. I mean, floating the idea that Beal will give up $30m in a buyout to leave. Or Erik possibly attaching a pick from the Durant trade to move Beal. And even if you move Beal, what are you taking back. Buying him to stretch him only causes long term pain

The move with Beal is taking the medicine and letting Beal be an expiring in 2027

I 1000% agree with you man! The smartest and most logical plan should be what we discussed in keeping Beal and letting him come off our books in 27 for massive cap flexibility to completely reload/ revamp our roster in a star studded/ very deep 2027 free agency.

And trade KD for the best young player/ picks package and let those young players grow with our core ( part of) and utilize the picks to bring in the highest value possible at our ranges from the draft creating a faux OKC/ Houston blueprint and/ or generating valuable cost controlled trade assets too. This would be a multi solution value reclamation strategy.

I will say that if the Spurs are the KD trade partner, the picks I've listed:

Atlanta 25' 1st (14th pick)/ Atlanta 27' 1st unprotected/ 2030 1st ** pick swap of either...
- Dallas 30' 1st (UNPROTECTED).
OR
- Minnesota 30' 1st (TOP 1 protected).

With these pick valued, you're basically getting three premium picks in the 24th pick being a lottery pick, and both the Atlanta 27 and the 2030 1st swap as likely being lottery tickets high lottery value. So that's 3 lottery picks and a 19 million expiring and a filler player in Johnson.

Overall pretty great value for KD (absent the player portion), but Johnson's 17 million would come off our books in 27 with Beal's money. This would boost our 27 free agency cap money to 74 million for that loaded free agency. So 74 million in a very loaded free agency, and 3 lottery picks as floor value.

It just seems like common sense of how the Suns should rebuild around Booker. Even the podcasters mentioned yesterday that the Suns will probably not be challengers for the playoffs this season. I think they said that. So why not suck it up buttercup and understand that winning 38 games and missing the playoffs- aside from the Hornets having your pick is not different than winning 26 games and missing the playoffs. But if you start making moves for the summer of 2027 - you might have a real chance to kick start being decent again

But its going to suck for two years -- and I think fans get that. Well not the Booker or Durant stans, they just want to see those guys on the roster

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

[Fo-Real]

Read on Twitter

Blasphemous but I already enjoy watching the Spurs with Wemby and CP3. Wemby and KD on the same team would be even more enjoyable to watch

Kd, Wemby and Fox would be pretty fluid.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Anything of note GOK?

My guess he will have some version of your Orlando trade with the Suns taking on KCP and Isaac and my guess, the Bulls trade taking on Vucevic, PWill and extra...

[Fo-Real]

If Kd really wants and gets San Antonio, I would really hope Stephon Castle is in the deal. We need a young stud pg next to Booker and they have Fox. Castle, Barnes, Johnson and a pick somewhere maybe? Addition by subtraction? What does Barnes have left?

[BobbieL]

If Kd really wants and gets San Antonio, I would really hope Stephon Castle is in the deal. We need a young stud pg next to Booker and they have Fox. Castle, Barnes, Johnson and a pick somewhere maybe? Addition by subtraction? What does Barnes have left?

My guess is the Spurs would put Vessell in the trade with Johnson and Barnes but that would mean a couple FRPs to the Suns and maybe a couple SRPs
though of course Castle is better

If the Suns can combine players
Durant and O'Neale I think works for Vessell Johnson and Barnes
Barnes would be a big expiring in 2026
Johnson would be expiring in 2027
Vessell is signed for four more years but 105m/4
So if the Suns are smart with Beal and that means - do not do the stupid buyout - they could have a ton of cap space if they are able to move off of Allen as well

I still like the Rockets of course as the Suns get their picks back but this wouldn't be bad - put in Castle - -keep two FRPs