The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 3

[RaisingArizona]

we stepped in it. got to swing for the fences to get out of it, imo.

[BobbieL]

I don't love the idea of Vassell or Green either - hopefully they would have a plan to trade them.

One thing about the rumored Toronto offer - those guys wouldn't need to be "rerouted"

Yeah I'd be fine with the RJ/Poetl/9 deal in the end if we are getting #9. Not a fantastic deal but not terrible all things considered

I would be fine with that package AND a future unprotected pick.

Throw in Grady Dick too

[sunsbum]

And Durant admitted to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports that he pushed for the Bradley Beal acquisition. Another big mess. Maybe the best thing for Durant is not getting what he wants.

Every time Charania talks about Durant, he mentions “wild cards” and “dark horses.” His colleague Marc Spears even said there's “fear” from KD and his agent Rich Kleiman that teams won't “respect” what Durant wants.

Sure, everyone wants a say in where they live and work. But Durant’s on a run of bad choices. First KD picked Brooklyn, and the Nets had to trade Jarrett Allen because KD and Kyrie Irving insisted on signing DeAndre Jordan. Disaster. Then he picked Phoenix. After one year, both he and Devin Booker wanted Deandre Ayton to get traded, which resulted in Jusuf Nurkic. And Durant admitted to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports that he pushed for the Bradley Beal acquisition. Another big mess. Maybe the best thing for Durant is not getting what he wants.

In fact, Durant has already been denied by his top choices. There were rumblings at the trade deadline KD wanted to land with the Celtics or Knicks. New York’s interest reportedly isn’t mutual anymore. Boston’s cap sheet and trajectory make that scenario highly unlikely.

Source: [https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/kevin-durant-trade-destinations-which-wild-card-teams-might-want-to-roll-the-dice-on-a-deal-for-kd-134127536.html](https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/kevin-durant-trade-destinations-which-wild-card-teams-might-want-to-roll-the-dice-on-a-deal-for-kd-134127536.html)

So Ishbia was listening to Durant - Whisky Tango Foxtrot
and the article says Booker and Durant wanted Ayton traded

Maybe the problem wasn't CP3, Ayton or Beal - maybe its as easy as "35+1=36"

wonder who’s fault it will be when the blazers don’t resign Ayton.

[Saberestar]

Yeah I'd be fine with the RJ/Poetl/9 deal in the end if we are getting #9. Not a fantastic deal but not terrible all things considered

I would be fine with that package AND a future unprotected pick.

Throw in Grady Dick too

I understand that adding him would be too much. Not happening.

[Saberestar]

Shams:

The Suns are only a piece or two away from a deal getting done for Kevin Durant.

[matt131]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I guess Shams said on the Pat macafee show that a few teams are just a “piece away” from getting a deal done. Doesn’t think SA has been very active.

[TeamTragic]

Shams:

The Suns are only a piece or two away from a deal getting done for Kevin Durant.

BOOM

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[TeamTragic]

Read on Twitter

Shams hinting that Ware is being offered?

[bwgood77]

Spoiler:

Really though, we should trade KD and Book in separate trades to Houston and get back:

#10, our 27 and 29 picks, their 28 and 30 picks (they have swap rights with Brooklyn in 27 and a pick from Dallas in 29 so getting those picks would be possible).

Then Brooks, Green, Jabari Smith, Eason, Whitmore and Reed Shepherd.

I'd love Amen Thompson in there, but I doubt they'd deal him.

But our 3 picks, two of theirs and a ton of young players, and buddies KD and Book can continue playing together along with FVV, Thompson and Sengun. I'd take FVV over Green too if need be...or over Brooks I suppose.

Not sure if that works salary wise, and ultimately I'd rather just trade Book to Houston and get all our picks back and one of their's along with a player and get something else for KD (the best package with young players).

But maybe Book would be moer amenable to trade if he could keep playing with his buddy KD.

But it also came from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer though man.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/raptorsnation.com/2025/06/16/raptors-rumors-toronto-reportedly-eyeing-a-kevin-durant-trade/amp/

The Toronto Raptors could be eyeing a big Kevin Durant trade.

According to Marc Stein, the Raptors are among the teams open to acquiring the 36-year-old this offseason. Durant is on the final year of his current deal and is set to earn $54.7 million next season. He is eligible to sign a two-year, $122 million extension with any team that acquires him.

“What you’re hearing now on Kevin Durant, there are teams out there that are saying, you know what, we know he’s only under contract for one more year at about 55 million. We’re willing to gamble on him and the Toronto Raptors are one of those teams,” Stein said on the ALL NBA Podcast.

If the Raptors want to trade for Durant they would need to include two starters to match his salary. A package of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl works. The Raptors also have the No. 9 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft they can include in the deal.

The Raptors would be betting big on a Durant, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes trio. However, with the Eastern Conference being wide open going into next season, Raptors President Masai Ujiri could get aggressive once again.

If the Raptors did pull off such a deal, they would have depth issues they would have to fix. Particularly at the center position. By trading away Poeltl, the Raptors would be giving up their only reliable center on the team. Also, the Raptors would be surrendering future draft capital for a player who could leave after one season.

If the Raptors trade for Durant it would definitely raise their ceiling, however it is still a big risk considering his age and contract situation.

https://hoopshype.com/2025/06/16/raptors-would-be-willing-to-trade-rj-barrett-or-immanuel-quickley-jakob-poeltl-top-10-pick-for-kevin-durant/

Read on Twitter

I just don't know if I buy them really wanting him unless they just want to flip him at the deadline. It seems to be all rumors. II don't know that those guys have a lot of direct sources for that stuff anyway. I know they are reputable and have been around a long time, but only someone like Shams really has the connections I would trust and I think if Toronto was really in the mix, he'd say aomething. If he reports it I will buy it. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if Sidery mentions it and some of those guys like Stein, Fischer or whoever, mention "they've heard the Raptors could be in the mix"....after all Stein only has a subscriber only substack now and wants people to pay to read him.

It makes absolutely zero sense. The only rationale I can come up with that is a stretch is that they want Barnes to play in more meaningful games, don't like this draft at all, are low on Barrett and just want to dump his contract, and they feel they could flip KD for someone at the deadline when teams may want him more.

So get off Barrett, Poeltl money, use a draft pick you don't like, then flip KD for something you do like at the deadline. That makes some sense for a savvy manager.

But it's a crap deal anyway.

I definitely see why they would love to get off $27 million for Barrett a year and $20 million for Poeltl...it's like they are able to dump assets for a better asset they can deal when teams are more desperate at the deadline. Say they like Jalen Green a lot more than Barrett...and would hope to get another 1st back anyway, or they like what they hear MIami is offering so they could unload big salary they don't like and move KD for players they do like and a pick.

That is the only rationale I can think of if I'm the Raptors, which really isn't a bad rationale.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I guess Shams said on the Pat macafee show that a few teams are just a “piece away” from getting a deal done. Doesn’t think SA has been very active.

Not sure how much that means if it's a significant piece.

[thamadkant]

So Ishbia was listening to Durant - Whisky Tango Foxtrot
and the article says Booker and Durant wanted Ayton traded

Maybe the problem wasn't CP3, Ayton or Beal - maybe its as easy as "35+1=36"

wonder who’s fault it will be when the blazers don’t resign Ayton.

It'll be Blazers fault. They clearly look much better both by eye test and stats when they have Scoot, Deni, Ayton, Camara on the court.

Otherwise when they have Simons, Grant, Sharpe all taking 20 shots each off isolation plays... Blazers look horrible.

I've seen enough Blazers game to say, Billups doesn't know what to do with their talent. He's sometimes trying to win, sometimes he's just developing his wings. They lack direction over there.

But fact is, Ayton looked good on the Suns before KD got there. Stats show it and Suns were a deep playoff contender. Then something happened in that Mavericks series and it all crumbled.

[thamadkant]

Read on Twitter

Should probably trade Booker before he retires to pursue streaming full time.

You and Bobby need to start a group together.

there is more than us two

I have resigned myself that Booker will not only be traded but also extended
that said, i think the trade should take that into account and get back players that fit his timeline
I don't think Gobert fits that timeline. Now would I want him over Randle - yes. But I think the Suns can get younger and build a team around Booker similar to the team from 2021 to Feb 8 2023

Suns will try and they will fail.

The West is a bloodbath always. Suns will be where Kings were this season.... lucky to be in the play-ins... likely to be at 30 something wins.

[thamadkant]

Spoiler:

Really though, we should trade KD and Book in separate trades to Houston and get back:

#10, our 27 and 29 picks, their 28 and 30 picks (they have swap rights with Brooklyn in 27 and a pick from Dallas in 29 so getting those picks would be possible).

Then Brooks, Green, Jabari Smith, Eason, Whitmore and Reed Shepherd.

I'd love Amen Thompson in there, but I doubt they'd deal him.

But our 3 picks, two of theirs and a ton of young players, and buddies KD and Book can continue playing together along with FVV, Thompson and Sengun. I'd take FVV over Green too if need be...or over Brooks I suppose.

Not sure if that works salary wise, and ultimately I'd rather just trade Book to Houston and get all our picks back and one of their's along with a player and get something else for KD (the best package with young players).

But maybe Book would be moer amenable to trade if he could keep playing with his buddy KD.

But it also came from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer though man.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/raptorsnation.com/2025/06/16/raptors-rumors-toronto-reportedly-eyeing-a-kevin-durant-trade/amp/

The Toronto Raptors could be eyeing a big Kevin Durant trade.

According to Marc Stein, the Raptors are among the teams open to acquiring the 36-year-old this offseason. Durant is on the final year of his current deal and is set to earn $54.7 million next season. He is eligible to sign a two-year, $122 million extension with any team that acquires him.

“What you’re hearing now on Kevin Durant, there are teams out there that are saying, you know what, we know he’s only under contract for one more year at about 55 million. We’re willing to gamble on him and the Toronto Raptors are one of those teams,” Stein said on the ALL NBA Podcast.

If the Raptors want to trade for Durant they would need to include two starters to match his salary. A package of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl works. The Raptors also have the No. 9 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft they can include in the deal.

The Raptors would be betting big on a Durant, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes trio. However, with the Eastern Conference being wide open going into next season, Raptors President Masai Ujiri could get aggressive once again.




If the Raptors did pull off such a deal, they would have depth issues they would have to fix. Particularly at the center position. By trading away Poeltl, the Raptors would be giving up their only reliable center on the team. Also, the Raptors would be surrendering future draft capital for a player who could leave after one season.

If the Raptors trade for Durant it would definitely raise their ceiling, however it is still a big risk considering his age and contract situation.

https://hoopshype.com/2025/06/16/raptors-would-be-willing-to-trade-rj-barrett-or-immanuel-quickley-jakob-poeltl-top-10-pick-for-kevin-durant/

Read on Twitter

I just don't know if I buy them really wanting him unless they just want to flip him at the deadline. It seems to be all rumors. II don't know that those guys have a lot of direct sources for that stuff anyway. I know they are reputable and have been around a long time, but only someone like Shams really has the connections I would trust and I think if Toronto was really in the mix, he'd say aomething. If he reports it I will buy it. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if Sidery mentions it and some of those guys like Stein, Fischer or whoever, mention "they've heard the Raptors could be in the mix"....after all Stein only has a subscriber only substack now and wants people to pay to read him.

It makes absolutely zero sense. The only rationale I can come up with that is a stretch is that they want Barnes to play in more meaningful games, don't like this draft at all, are low on Barrett and just want to dump his contract, and they feel they could flip KD for someone at the deadline when teams may want him more.

So get off Barrett, Poeltl money, use a draft pick you don't like, then flip KD for something you do like at the deadline. That makes some sense for a savvy manager.

But it's a crap deal anyway.

I definitely see why they would love to get off $27 million for Barrett a year and $20 million for Poeltl...it's like they are able to dump assets for a better asset they can deal when teams are more desperate at the deadline. Say they like Jalen Green a lot more than Barrett...and would hope to get another 1st back anyway, or they like what they hear MIami is offering so they could unload big salary they don't like and move KD for players they do like and a pick.

That is the only rationale I can think of if I'm the Raptors, which really isn't a bad rationale.

Yup.
I see Raptors potentially trading with Spurs, Rockets before deadline to get younger pieces and draft picks if KD doesn't work out for them. They know KD will sign extensions with those teams.

So Raptors being savvy and cunning clearing space trying out KD and then getting players they want before deadline if KD doesn't work out... they get their cake and eat it too situation.


Suns need not budge. Keep KD if offers are bad or extend him and he becomes more appealing trade piece.

[WuTang_OG]

Would u guys do:

to PHX: IQ, Poeltl, #9 from TOR
TOR: #11, Ayton, KD
POR: RJ

[TeamTragic]

Would u guys do:

to PHX: IQ, Poeltl, #9 from TOR
TOR: #11, Ayton, KD
POR: RJ

We would need the #9/#11. You can have our second rounder.

[NapoleonII]

lol @ putting KD on a team with Ayton again. I would say yes even if only for the karmic justice.

I'm glad SA is out of the running, I don't know why anyone considered their crap, players on one of the worst teams in the league, any good or worth building on.

Crossing my fingers for Ware or Houston, and the small chance the Knicks get involved, too.

[psman2]

Would u guys do:

to PHX: IQ, Poeltl, #9 from TOR
TOR: #11, Ayton, KD
POR: RJ

We would need the #9/#11. You can have our second rounder.

Portland not trading any value for RJ, so they won’t be a pick 11 to take. They have Deni, Sharpe, and Camara already on the wings. An expiring Ayton they might give up for RJ but that is likely about it.

[Saberestar]

Barry Jackson:

As much as Heat needs talent, I admire them holding firm and not offering the farm because Ishbia is unrealistic to think he will get nearly as much as he gave up for 36 year old, as great as he is, who will be on cap at 60 M when he's 39 in punitive tax/apron era. Suns, irked offers are not better, could keep him, ESPN speculated today

[Qwigglez]

KD for Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and No 2 pick. In August, trade Booker for Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington.