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

[Domejandro]

The vibe I get is that Phoenix likes Minnesota’s offer the best currently, but are respecting Kevin Durant’s request and giving his preferred teams time to counter. The Shams stuff feels like Kevin Durant’s team trying to dissuade Minnesota from moving forward while encouraging his top three to step up their offers, more than anything.

[NYG]

The vibe I get is that Phoenix likes Minnesota’s offer the best currently, but are respecting Kevin Durant’s request and giving his preferred teams time to counter. The Shams stuff feels like Kevin Durant’s team trying to dissuade Minnesota from moving forward while encouraging his top three to step up their offers, more than anything.

Yeah I could see that being the behind the scenes of it all based on reports

[wegotthabeet]

Tatum for AD would make the NBA Great Again!

What about Tatum for Flagg?

If Tatum was healthy this might have legs, but now I guess it’s a zero percent chance.

[LarsV8]

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Sounds like me for the last six months on this forum

[Diop]

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.

so after that, could they also use #2, Johnson, Vassell and future 1sts for Giannis?

[NYG]

Will any other coaches still get let go or is that over?

[giberish]

Will any other coaches still get let go or is that over?

Feels like the coach-firing season has passed. It usually happens pretty soon after a team's season ends and it would be shocking if OKC or Indy fired theirs. I guess Carlisle could decide to go out on top with a win.

[NYG]

Will any other coaches still get let go or is that over?

Feels like the coach-firing season has passed. It usually happens pretty soon after a team's season ends and it would be shocking if OKC or Indy fired theirs. I guess Carlisle could decide to go out on top with a win.

There were reports Kidd may force his way to be traded to NY, but I'm not sure I buy it, don't even know what it would cost asset-wise or if there's enough time to even pull all of this off.... if it did happen, I wonder who would be a good fit in Dallas?

[Klomp]

The vibe I get is that Phoenix likes Minnesota’s offer the best currently, but are respecting Kevin Durant’s request and giving his preferred teams time to counter. The Shams stuff feels like Kevin Durant’s team trying to dissuade Minnesota from moving forward while encouraging his top three to step up their offers, more than anything.

Along the same lines, I would say the timing of everything is in play. I think there is part of the Durant camp that wants this resolved by draft night. Minnesota is banking on having a chance if it gets to July, and so far Phoenix seems like it might be willing to wait for better offers. That is keeping Minnesota in it!

[SlimShady83]

Why wouldn't KD want to go to the Clippers or why wouldn't Clippers not be interested in KD???

Clippers are not winning anything anytime soon especially with that rostor and this year proved that, no one going to trade for Harden, maybe KL, but doubt it.

Might as well at least make offer to Suns for KD

Zubac, Powell, Bogdan for Kevin Durant ... No pics involved - Trade works on spotrac

Suns get their Center
Clippers go all in with a big 3 of KD/Harden/KL

And yes I know about KD's 5 teams which is now down to 3

Thoughts?

[Captain Ballmer]

Why wouldn't KD want to go to the Clippers or why wouldn't Clippers not be interested in KD???

Clippers are not winning anything anytime soon especially with that rostor and this year proved that, no one going to trade for Harden, maybe KL, but doubt it.

Might as well at least make offer to Suns for KD

Zubac, Powell, Bogdan for Kevin Durant ... No pics involved - Trade works on spotrac

Suns get their Center
Clippers go all in with a big 3 of KD/Harden/KL

And yes I know about KD's 5 teams which is now down to 3

Thoughts?

The defense kept Clippers in on their 50 win run this season. Zubac was the main reason. And I think Zubac at age 27, making only 22 million usd per year for the next 3 years is more valuable than Kevin Durant at that age and contract. Zubac is like top 10 player considering value/contract.

If clippers going for KD, It's to pair him with Zubac. Not Kawhi.

[SlimShady83]

Why wouldn't KD want to go to the Clippers or why wouldn't Clippers not be interested in KD???

Clippers are not winning anything anytime soon especially with that rostor and this year proved that, no one going to trade for Harden, maybe KL, but doubt it.

Might as well at least make offer to Suns for KD

Zubac, Powell, Bogdan for Kevin Durant ... No pics involved - Trade works on spotrac

Suns get their Center
Clippers go all in with a big 3 of KD/Harden/KL

And yes I know about KD's 5 teams which is now down to 3

Thoughts?

The defense kept Clippers in on their 50 win run this season. Zubac was the main reason. And I think Zubac at age 27, making only 22 million usd per year for the next 3 years is more valuable than Kevin Durant at that age and contract. Zubac is like top 10 player considering value/contract.

If clippers going for KD, It's to pair him with Zubac. Not Kawhi.

That's actually a good point who would clippers trade Kawhi or Harden? guessing Suns would want Kawhi

[Captain Ballmer]

Why wouldn't KD want to go to the Clippers or why wouldn't Clippers not be interested in KD???

Clippers are not winning anything anytime soon especially with that rostor and this year proved that, no one going to trade for Harden, maybe KL, but doubt it.

Might as well at least make offer to Suns for KD

Zubac, Powell, Bogdan for Kevin Durant ... No pics involved - Trade works on spotrac

Suns get their Center
Clippers go all in with a big 3 of KD/Harden/KL

And yes I know about KD's 5 teams which is now down to 3

Thoughts?

The defense kept Clippers in on their 50 win run this season. Zubac was the main reason. And I think Zubac at age 27, making only 22 million usd per year for the next 3 years is more valuable than Kevin Durant at that age and contract. Zubac is like top 10 player considering value/contract.

If clippers going for KD, It's to pair him with Zubac. Not Kawhi.

That's actually a good point who would clippers trade Kawhi or Harden? guessing Suns would want Kawhi

I can see Harden-Kawhi-Durant-Zubac could be a championship contender so thats why I think Clipper offer Norm+Bogdan+DJJ+ future unprotected 1st(likely 2030) and there are better offers on the table.

OTOH, For Clippers, Swapping Kawhi with KD isn't going to make them any better. Thus, Suns shouldn't entertain Kawhi idea as it's not a once healthy he's a monster Playoff performer level anymore. Take the Spurs offer and called it a day for Suns I think.

[Domejandro]

The key paragraph:

The Suns have made it clear to Durant’s camp that they need to prioritize the best return for the team in a deal. What’s more, they appear focused on landing the kind of impact players who can help now as opposed to prioritizing draft picks. The Wolves would seem to have options available to offer, with Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle headlining a package that could give the Suns hopes of contending. With the offers from the Spurs, Rockets and Heat coming up short to this point, league sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6431028/2025/06/16/kevin-durant-trade-timberwolves-possibility-nba-rumors/

Pulling over Klomp's post from the Minnesota forum. This is the vibe that I have gotten, and Jon Krawczynski is arguably the best team reporter in the NBA (definitely Minnesota's best). Ultimately, it seems like Phoenix wants to trade with Minnesota, Minnesota wants Kevin Durant, and now both sides are trying to get Kevin Durant to say that he is comfortable with it.

My discomfort is that I think that this could mean Rudy Gobert is going out instead of Julius Randle, which would be a HUGE bummer, but in the end, I am comfortable with Tim Connelly making whatever decision he sees as fit.

[hoopsfan777]

New Orleans gets in the Memphis/Orlando deal

McCollum to Memphis
KCP and Anthony to New Orleans

[zimpy27]

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Sounds like me for the last six months on this forum

Felt like 6 months but draft lottery was only a month ago.

That offer still isn't enough for Durant, my guess is Jabari or Reed are added to make the deal. Which do you think is more likey?

[Astaluego]

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Sounds like me for the last six months on this forum

Felt like 6 months but draft lottery was only a month ago.

That offer still isn't enough for Durant, my guess is Jabari or Reed are added to make the deal. Which do you think is more likey?

I guess they can meet somewhere in the middle. I think J. Smith/Green +10 and filler (Landale). Houston wouldn't be able/wanted to pay Smith with Durant on the roster anyway. I guess the Suns try to send Green to another team for a better fit?
Ideally a Center and a PG?
My Mavs teammates disagree, but I'd give him a chance on the MAVS.
Gafford/Klay? Are the SUNS trying to turn Klay (or Allen, even if he's 29?) into a PG (Smart? Lonzo?/D. Murray?

KD/Hawkins HOUSTON

Gafford/JSmith/D.Murray+10 SUNS

Murray/Booker/Beal/Smith/Gafford
10/Allen/Dunn/Oso/Richards

Landale/Klay/Royce NOP

Green MAVS

[hoopsfan777]

Jaxson Hayes to Golden State for the min. Can Jaxson find a home in the league in Golden State?

[hoopsfan777]

Read on Twitter

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Sounds like me for the last six months on this forum

Felt like 6 months but draft lottery was only a month ago.

That offer still isn't enough for Durant, my guess is Jabari or Reed are added to make the deal. Which do you think is more likey?

I guess they can meet somewhere in the middle. I think J. Smith/Green +10 and filler (Landale). Houston wouldn't be able/wanted to pay Smith with Durant on the roster anyway. I guess the Suns try to send Green to another team for a better fit?
Ideally a Center and a PG?
My Mavs teammates disagree, but I'd give him a chance on the MAVS.
Gafford/Klay? Are the SUNS trying to turn Klay (or Allen, even if he's 29?) into a PG (Smart? Lonzo?/D. Murray?

KD/Hawkins HOUSTON

Gafford/JSmith/D.Murray+10 SUNS

Murray/Booker/Beal/Smith/Gafford
10/Allen/Dunn/Oso/Richards

Landale/Klay/Royce NOP

Green MAVS

New Orleans moves Murray by only attaching Hawkins, deal!

[hoopsfan777]

McCollum

for

Sexton
Clarkson

What needs to be added?