SkyBill40 wrote:At this point, it really doesn't matter what Durant wants since the Suns control his fate to a large degree; however, it just doesn't add up to have a player on your team that you KNOW isn't going to stick around and one you're giving up a fair amount of capital on in terms of players or picks.
This situation has devolved into something it didn't need to be. The problem is still Bradley Beal, not Durant. But because Ishbia is a moron and stabbed him in the back, he's definitely not interested in sticking it out here.
Yep the Suns might well manage to get a decent offer from a team he didn't list as a preferred destination, but I think Durant does have some considerable leverage in that he can hurt his value by making it known he won't sign an extension or be happy playing with other teams. Which he's already started to do. He has managed to successfully force his way to where he's wanted to go before already with the Suns so it'll be interesting to see if he can dictate things in his favour again this time around.
It is a bit different now since the teams he wants to go to won't be giving up a huge haul to get him, now that he's on his last legs and needs to get paid. He'll be commanding max money through age 39 or 40 with a 2 or 3 year extension. I can't see him staying with the Suns at this point like you said either, so we'll see what kind of value they can manage for him in the end. I think it'll be much less than many might expect.
Likely something only slightly better than the Butler package Miami received from GS. That was a very similar situation only I doubt Durant will go as far as Butler did to get his way but we'll see. Harden set the precedent for stars being childish and throwing tantrums to get what and where they want if they are willing to be that way, and unfortunately it does somewhat work when they go that route.
And yes Beal was such a bad mistake by the Suns, it'll haunt them for a long time.
