Rumors, Random Thoughts, and non-Threadworthy Posts 18.0 Dave Cowens drove a taxi

[Knicks365247]

Tatum for AD would make the NBA Great Again!

[cucad8]

I'm still not sure I understand Dallas as an Anfernee Simons suitor, but playing along, maybe something along the lines of Simons to Dallas, Gafford to the Lakers, Knecht and Christie to Portland. Salary matching could be Rui or other pieces from LA, Dallas can send out OMP and Powell, or salary they prefer?

[Klomp]

If you read that report that KD doesn’t want to go to Minnesota, then they should be less motivated to outbid SAS or Houston obviously.

If you read it that he’d rather go to the other three teams, but would be happy with Ant.. Then Minn can still make a strong offer and Phoenix should be interested in Randle if they’re going to keep Booker.

I'll be honest, right after hitting Submit on that post, I went over to Twitter and saw the Shams report. Not great.

However, I don't know that it will completely tune out Minnesota's front office. I think Connelly is someone who has a good feel for the price he is willing to pay and doesn't normally budge. I don't think he gets swayed easily by anonymous reports. I'm guessing his offers already considered the fact that he is 37, on an expiring contract, and might not be willing to extend. I don't think he will get into a bidding war if it takes him past what he is willing to spend.

Yeah. It would be a big risk for a team to trade for KD if he doesn’t want to end up there. But the upside is there if the price is something they’re comfortable with.

Just don’t think the final price will be cheap enough to stay in that comfort zone.

I actually thought KD would want to go to Minn based off what looks like a good relationship with Ant and the rest of the talent they can keep. So a bit surprised.

For being adamant that Kevin Durant doesn't want to be in Minnesota, they spent a lot of time talking about the idea of Minnesota trading for him and what a trade discussion could look like....

Watch on YouTube

[zimpy27]

I'm still not sure I understand Dallas as an Anfernee Simons suitor, but playing along, maybe something along the lines of Simons to Dallas, Gafford to the Lakers, Knecht and Christie to Portland. Salary matching could be Rui or other pieces from LA, Dallas can send out OMP and Powell, or salary they prefer?

They aren't I don't think. Dallas made a move for defense, they wont choose one-way scorers. They want scorers that can defend.

Booker and Brown are probably 2 of the best fitting players Dallas could go for. They'd need to give up Davis for either though.

Jamal Murray might be attainable if he's as bad as Nuggets fans proclaim.
Austin Reaves is good enough defensively to try go for.

CP3 is probably the most likely option, grab him with TaxMLE

[Texas Chuck]

I still think KD ends up a Spur.

My latest guess as to how it comes together:

Barnes/Keldon/Sochan/14/4 future 2nds for KD/O'Neale(dealt into MLE)

Suns want more than just 14 with Sochan mentioned. Sochan doesn't actually hold much trade value so the Spurs put him into assuage the Suns trying to win a press conference with his inclusion. O'Neale a better on court replacement for the lost forward depth which has the bonus of saving the Suns a bunch of real money.

I don't need you to all tell me why I'm wrong and why he's worth way more/less, Spurs aren't interested in him at all. We've had those debates and I've heard your arguments and I am not trying to sell anyone on this or any version of a KD trade I assure you. Just my prediction on what the deal actually looks like.

[babyjax13]

I still think KD ends up a Spur.

My latest guess as to how it comes together:

Barnes/Keldon/Sochan/14/4 future 2nds for KD/O'Neale(dealt into MLE)

Suns want more than just 14 with Sochan mentioned. Sochan doesn't actually hold much trade value so the Spurs put him into assuage the Suns trying to win a press conference with his inclusion. O'Neale a better on court replacement for the lost forward depth which has the bonus of saving the Suns a bunch of real money.

I don't need you to all tell me why I'm wrong and why he's worth way more/less, Spurs aren't interested in him at all. We've had those debates and I've heard your arguments and I am not trying to sell anyone on this or any version of a KD trade I assure you. Just my prediction on what the deal actually looks like.

I think this value is about right. I could see Sochan being replaced with a future pick, but it will basically be 14 + filler + asset.

[Bornstellar]

I still think KD ends up a Spur.

My latest guess as to how it comes together:

Barnes/Keldon/Sochan/14/4 future 2nds for KD/O'Neale(dealt into MLE)

Suns want more than just 14 with Sochan mentioned. Sochan doesn't actually hold much trade value so the Spurs put him into assuage the Suns trying to win a press conference with his inclusion. O'Neale a better on court replacement for the lost forward depth which has the bonus of saving the Suns a bunch of real money.

I don't need you to all tell me why I'm wrong and why he's worth way more/less, Spurs aren't interested in him at all. We've had those debates and I've heard your arguments and I am not trying to sell anyone on this or any version of a KD trade I assure you. Just my prediction on what the deal actually looks like.

I would really hate to include Sochan in this but ultimately if this is what the deal was I'd probably pull the trigger.

[jayjaysee]

Assuming Memphis dumps Cole (and maybe Konchar).. and delays the trade until after JJJ is renegotiated?

What’s the third team that makes Monk for Clarke+16 work?

Sac could take Clarke and send out a different salary or it could just be a two team deal, but I don’t think they’d want Clarke personally..

Think Clarke+16+Sac asset for “Cam Johnson” to Sac. Or someone like that? Which just ends up why not dump all of Memphis’ salary on Brooklyn and make it one big trade?

No idea what asset I’m suggesting Memphis dump the salary with but just trying a bad idea as I kind of like Monk in Memphis now

[enzino]

[EDIT] ADDED #12 to SUNS
merging some rumors:
KD ends up to san antonio
porzingis to the suns
bos trade up in the draft
bulls shop Lonzo Ball and get rid of P.Williams and get cap relief in view of 2025 FAcy

BOS out: porzingis, d. white, j. holiday, pritchard, #28, #32
BOS in: #2, lo.ball, p. williams, DDR, Kel'el Ware
D. Harper (Lo.Ball), JB (Scheierman), Tatum (Hauser), DDR (Jordan Walsh, p. williams), Kel'el Ware (horford? n.queta? FA?)

PHO out: KD
PHO in: porzingis, d. white, #12, future FRP(s) FROM BOS?

SAS out: #2, #14, d. vessell, h. barnes
SAS in: pritchard, KD, #12

ORL out: j. isaac
ORL in: d. vessell, #45

CHI out: lo.ball, p. williams, #12, #45
CHI in: #14, h. barnes, j. isaac

SAC out: DDR
SAC in: T. Rozier, #32

MIA out: T. Rozier, Kel'el Ware
MIA in: j. holiday, #28

[Bornstellar]

merging some rumors:
KD ends up to san antonio
porzingis to the suns
bos trade up in the draft
bulls shop Lonzo Ball and get rid of P.Williams and get cap relief in view of 2025 FAcy

BOS out: porzingis, d. white, j. holiday, pritchard, #28, #32
BOS in: #2, lo.ball, p. williams, DDR, Kel'el Ware
D. Harper (Lo.Ball), JB (Scheierman), Tatum (Hauser), DDR (Jordan Walsh, p. williams), Kel'el Ware (horford? n.queta? FA?)

PHO out: KD
PHO in: porzingis, d. white, #12, future FRP(s) FROM BOS?

SAS out: #2, #14, d. vessell, h. barnes
SAS in: pritchard, KD

ORL out: j. isaac
ORL in: d. vessell, #45

CHI out: lo.ball, p. williams, #12, #45
CHI in: #14, h. barnes, j. isaac

SAC out: DDR
SAC in: T. Rozier, #32

MIA out: T. Rozier, Kel'el Ware
MIA in: j. holiday, #28

Any trade involving the #2 is a non-starter for SA. Certainly not for old KD and Pritchard

[Scoot McGroot]

merging some rumors:
KD ends up to san antonio
porzingis to the suns
bos trade up in the draft
bulls shop Lonzo Ball and get rid of P.Williams and get cap relief in view of 2025 FAcy

BOS out: porzingis, d. white, j. holiday, pritchard, #28, #32
BOS in: #2, lo.ball, p. williams, DDR, Kel'el Ware
D. Harper (Lo.Ball), JB (Scheierman), Tatum (Hauser), DDR (Jordan Walsh, p. williams), Kel'el Ware (horford? n.queta? FA?)

PHO out: KD
PHO in: porzingis, d. white, #12, future FRP(s) FROM BOS?

SAS out: #2, #14, d. vessell, h. barnes
SAS in: pritchard, KD

ORL out: j. isaac
ORL in: d. vessell, #45

CHI out: lo.ball, p. williams, #12, #45
CHI in: #14, h. barnes, j. isaac

SAC out: DDR
SAC in: T. Rozier, #32

MIA out: T. Rozier, Kel'el Ware
MIA in: j. holiday, #28

Any trade involving the #2 is a non-starter for SA. Certainly not for old KD and Pritchard

Yeah, San Antonio and Miami absolutely aren’t considering this one at all.

[giberish]

[EDIT] ADDED #12 to SUNS
merging some rumors:
KD ends up to san antonio
porzingis to the suns
bos trade up in the draft
bulls shop Lonzo Ball and get rid of P.Williams and get cap relief in view of 2025 FAcy

BOS out: porzingis, d. white, j. holiday, pritchard, #28, #32
BOS in: #2, lo.ball, p. williams, DDR, Kel'el Ware
D. Harper (Lo.Ball), JB (Scheierman), Tatum (Hauser), DDR (Jordan Walsh, p. williams), Kel'el Ware (horford? n.queta? FA?)

PHO out: KD
PHO in: porzingis, d. white, #12, future FRP(s) FROM BOS?

SAS out: #2, #14, d. vessell, h. barnes
SAS in: pritchard, KD, #12

ORL out: j. isaac
ORL in: d. vessell, #45

CHI out: lo.ball, p. williams, #12, #45
CHI in: #14, h. barnes, j. isaac

SAC out: DDR
SAC in: T. Rozier, #32

MIA out: T. Rozier, Kel'el Ware
MIA in: j. holiday, #28

Wildly too good for Boston and Phoenix and questionable (Sac, Chi, Orl) to terrible (SA, Mia) for the others.

[djFan71]

[EDIT] ADDED #12 to SUNS
merging some rumors:
KD ends up to san antonio
porzingis to the suns
bos trade up in the draft
bulls shop Lonzo Ball and get rid of P.Williams and get cap relief in view of 2025 FAcy

BOS out: porzingis, d. white, j. holiday, pritchard, #28, #32
BOS in: #2, lo.ball, p. williams, DDR, Kel'el Ware
D. Harper (Lo.Ball), JB (Scheierman), Tatum (Hauser), DDR (Jordan Walsh, p. williams), Kel'el Ware (horford? n.queta? FA?)

PHO out: KD
PHO in: porzingis, d. white, #12, future FRP(s) FROM BOS?

SAS out: #2, #14, d. vessell, h. barnes
SAS in: pritchard, KD, #12

ORL out: j. isaac
ORL in: d. vessell, #45

CHI out: lo.ball, p. williams, #12, #45
CHI in: #14, h. barnes, j. isaac

SAC out: DDR
SAC in: T. Rozier, #32

MIA out: T. Rozier, Kel'el Ware
MIA in: j. holiday, #28

Wildly too good for Boston and Phoenix and questionable (Sac, Chi, Orl) to terrible (SA, Mia) for the others.

I'm not even sure on the wildly too good for BOS part. They trade literally 1/2 of a rotation that won a title last year, plus 2 picks, and end up with the #2 pick, Ware, fairly bad filler and hope Lonzo's knees hold up. And are still in the 2nd apron. Given #2 salary, even if they move Hauser, that wouldn't be enough (and now you're at 5/8 of a title rotation...), though could probably finagle something with more moves.

[tester551]

I'll be honest, right after hitting Submit on that post, I went over to Twitter and saw the Shams report. Not great.

However, I don't know that it will completely tune out Minnesota's front office. I think Connelly is someone who has a good feel for the price he is willing to pay and doesn't normally budge. I don't think he gets swayed easily by anonymous reports. I'm guessing his offers already considered the fact that he is 37, on an expiring contract, and might not be willing to extend. I don't think he will get into a bidding war if it takes him past what he is willing to spend.

Yeah. It would be a big risk for a team to trade for KD if he doesn’t want to end up there. But the upside is there if the price is something they’re comfortable with.

Just don’t think the final price will be cheap enough to stay in that comfort zone.

I actually thought KD would want to go to Minn based off what looks like a good relationship with Ant and the rest of the talent they can keep. So a bit surprised.

For being adamant that Kevin Durant doesn't want to be in Minnesota, they spent a lot of time talking about the idea of Minnesota trading for him and what a trade discussion could look like....

Watch on YouTube

Honestly, I hope the Wolves get him.
I like the fit a lot.

[hoopsfan777]

Utah outgoing

Lauri Markkanen
Collin Sexton
DAL '25 2nd
LAC '26 2nd

Denver outgoing

Jamal Murray
Zeke Nnaji
Dario Saric
Peyton Watson
Jalen Pickett

[hoopsfan777]

Sacramento outgoing

DDR
Malik Monk
Devin Carter
#42
SAC '26 1st rd pick
SAC '27 1st rd pick

Denver outgoing

Jamal Murray

[djFan71]

Sacramento outgoing

DDR
Malik Monk
Devin Carter
#42
SAC '26 1st rd pick
SAC '27 1st rd pick

Denver outgoing

Jamal Murray

Unique one, afaik. Kinda interesting. DEN would need some follow-on moves, but does give them more flexibility. SAC betting on Murray health, but he does provide shooting. Not so much the D they are in theory trying to build. My gut is it's a little much for SAC, but it's a gamble on a really good player.

[babyjax13]

Utah outgoing

Lauri Markkanen
Collin Sexton
DAL '25 2nd
LAC '26 2nd

Denver outgoing

Jamal Murray
Zeke Nnaji
Dario Saric
Peyton Watson
Jalen Pickett

Doesn't make sense directionally for Utah, Murray has to go out for picks/prospects. I like Watson.

[djFan71]

Not sure if the Bulls are looking to save long term money, but, if they are:

CHI in: Kuzma, Connaughton
CHI out: Patrick Williams and Jevon Carter.
Short bad money (PWill) and spare PG for longer bad money.

MIL in: Jrue and Carter
MIL out: Kuzma, Connaughton and 27 first*
Dramatically improve their PG rotation with reunions / without Lillard. You can squint and see a team if they bring some guys back:

Jrue, Trent jr, Prince, Giannis, Lopez (or FA C)
Porter Jr, Green, Jackson, Portis
Dame comes back and just shoots in the playoffs.

BOS in: MIL 27 first (after NOP swap rights), Williams
BOS out: Jrue
Save money, get a possible pick.

* Protected. Lotto for 2027 (post NOP swap), top 10 in 2028 (post POR swap), then 2 2nds (assuming you can add 2032 one now as a fallback) to resolve it.

Probably not worth it for MIL right away - they'd have to exhaust ideas using the picks to get something for Dame first.

[Godaddycurse]

Phoenix trade: KD
Phoenix receive: Gobert, Williams, 12

Minnesota trade: Gobert, Randle, 31
Minnesota receive: Durant, Bitadze

Orlando trade: Bitadze
Orlando receive: future 2nd(s)

Chicago trade: Williams, Carter, 12
Chicago receive: Randle

Team X trade: future 2nd(s)
Team C receive: Carter, 31

Why for Chicago: Play off push + get rid of Williams contract
Why for Phoenix: get a starting C and a lotto pick
Why for Orlando: save money
Why for Minny: Add KD as rumoured