Stein/Fischer: Toronto willing to deal RJ Barrett, IQ, Poeltl for Significant Upgrades // #9 Available

[OakleyDokely]

ya, the deals look fair to me. Most of the reported deals have PHX getting back a couple starting caliber players and a low lottery pick. For a 37 year old expiring KD, I'm not sure what they're expecting.

[tsherkin]

Lol Durant is old.. wtf is Phoenix expecting???

An unreasonable haul based on reputation and his individual scoring, of course.

[WuTang_OG]

Ware is the kicker as we expect

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That takes us to the Eastern Conference, where a majority of rival teams see a clear frontrunner in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.

Even though the Raptors' offer of either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley alongside Jakob Poeltl and draft picks is enticing, it is the Heat that league personnel are signaling as the team with a better chance at a deal. Although the two sides are not right at the finish line yet in trade talks, one player can get them there.

That would be Kel'el Ware, a rookie standout in Miami's frontcourt who is a giant with his 7-foot-4 wingspan and two-way potential. If the Heat include Ware in a revamped package to what they have already offered, talks with the Suns will reach a whole new level, as he is the player Phoenix wants in discussions with Miami.

This is why many around the league who spoke with ClutchPoints view the Heat as the team that can get over the finish line the easiest.

To this point in negotiations, the Heat have not firmly offered Ware in a proposed package, sources told ClutchPoints. If Pat Riley and his front office don't push more chips in to get Durant, a player Riley has wanted to bring to South Beach for years, they will be out, and the Suns will further their talks with the other teams interested.

The framework of a potential Suns-Heat trade involving Durant would see Andrew Wiggins and Ware headline the outgoing assets from Miami. Whatever happens, the Suns have signaled that they want to move out of the tax aprons altogether, which is why multiple teams will be involved to help take on unwanted salary.

Anything can happen over the upcoming weekend, when the Suns are expected to receive final offers from teams bidding on Durant. The Heat have an obvious path to making a trade, but so do the Rockets and Spurs if they increase their proposal as well. Indications from Toronto hint that the Raptors would still be interested in making a trade without a firm commitment to a potential extension.

Phoenix has worked with Kleiman and Durant throughout this trade process, yet they will act in their best interest to ensure the future of the organization. Just because Durant wants to go to one of the Texas teams or Miami doesn't mean he will get his wish, as the Suns continue to talk with the Timberwolves and will 100 percent make a deal with them should the right players be included in a final offer.

Where Durant ultimately ends up, assuming he is traded, will directly impact the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the draft is dealing with its own drama at the very top of the board with Ace Bailey.

Jalen Green and the 10th pick in this year's draft present a clear opportunity for the Rockets to swing a deal, but the Suns have demanded more, sources said. Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard are among the young talents in Houston that Phoenix has expressed interest in. The Rockets have not been willing to part with any of the three to this point.

From the Suns' perspective, they don't view Green as a positive asset in these trade talks. The young guard struggled in the Rockets' playoff run this season, and the Suns have discussed potential paths with other teams that could help facilitate a potential Durant trade by acquiring Green for other assets that would go to Phoenix. Not much progress has been made with this.

[Zeno]

I think they should get about twice the return of the Heat received for Butler. KD has been way more reliable and productive than Jimmy. So what double of Wiggins, Anderson, Davion and a protected 1st is, is a fair offer for KD.

[Brinbe]

Yeah, I don't think Riley is gonna hold all this up over Ware. They'll get that deal done. Wiggins, Robinson, Ware and maybe they flip 15 and 29.

Davion/Herro/JJJ or Jovic/Kd/Bam and then they have some assorted pieces off the bench like Love, Rozier, Larsson, Highsmith, Slomo

[anotherhomer]

Yeah, I don't think Riley is gonna hold all this up over Ware. They'll get that deal done. Wiggins, Robinson, Ware and maybe they flip 15 and 29.

Davion/Herro/JJJ or Jovic/Kd/Bam and then they have some assorted pieces off the bench like Love, Rozier, Larsson, Highsmith, Slomo

is the Heat deal better than the Raptors deal?

[ShawnTO]

Seems like Miami. Send Durant to one of his preferred destinations, keep him out of the West, and get a good young C (Ware is only 21) who's under contract for a few years.

It's hard to make a trade that works because the Suns are above the 2nd apron, but maybe something like this:

(Suns can also send back the #29 pick to Miami)

[Brinbe]

Yeah, I don't think Riley is gonna hold all this up over Ware. They'll get that deal done. Wiggins, Robinson, Ware and maybe they flip 15 and 29.

Davion/Herro/JJJ or Jovic/Kd/Bam and then they have some assorted pieces off the bench like Love, Rozier, Larsson, Highsmith, Slomo

is the Heat deal better than the Raptors deal?

I'd say Ware is a pretty good piece to have and fills their biggest hole in the lineup in a big way. Wiggins is a cromulent enough fit next to a Booker as a league average 3 that can defend a bit/hit a 3. Robinson is salary filler and I think his deal is half guaranteed so that's cap/luxury tax savings for Ishbia.

It's close enough and gets KD where he wants to go.

[Consequence]

Seems like Miami. Send Durant to one of his preferred destinations, keep him out of the West, and get a good young C (Ware is only 21) who's under contract for a few years.

It's hard to make a trade that works because the Suns are above the 2nd apron, but maybe something like this:

I think this is close but there will be a third team involved that gets a mild sweetener to take Robinson and send Phx either a more playable player or a lower salaried expiring and save them some more money.

[LoveMyRaps]

Well this is a lil unusual....

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[anotherhomer]

Seems like Miami. Send Durant to one of his preferred destinations, keep him out of the West, and get a good young C (Ware is only 21) who's under contract for a few years.

It's hard to make a trade that works because the Suns are above the 2nd apron, but maybe something like this:

I think this is close but there will be a third team involved that gets a mild sweetener to take Robinson and send Phx either a more playable player or a lower salaried expiring and save them some more money.

now that you mention it, i guess this deal is better than the IQ/RJ/Jak combination deal

[djsunyc]

Well this is a lil unusual....

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it's been the spurs all along! lol.

[Brinbe]

Nah, they'll keep Robinson and waive him. Assuming this deal goes through

Robinson’s partially guaranteed contract is a rarity in today’s NBA. Of the $19.9 million Robinson is owed next season, just $9.8 million is guaranteed before June 29. That means that any team that waives Robinson before that date would get $10 million of instant savings.

[ArthurVandelay]

Nah, they'll keep Robinson and waive him. Assuming this deal goes through

Robinson’s partially guaranteed contract is a rarity in today’s NBA. Of the $19.9 million Robinson is owed next season, just $9.8 million is guaranteed before June 29. That means that any team that waives Robinson before that date would get $10 million of instant savings.

Weren't rules changed to allow only the guaranteed portion to be used in the trade salary calculation?

I'm probably mixing it up with a team option.

[Godaddycurse]

Nah, they'll keep Robinson and waive him. Assuming this deal goes through

Robinson’s partially guaranteed contract is a rarity in today’s NBA. Of the $19.9 million Robinson is owed next season, just $9.8 million is guaranteed before June 29. That means that any team that waives Robinson before that date would get $10 million of instant savings.

Weren't rules changed to allow only the guaranteed portion to be used in the trade salary calculation?

I'm probably mixing it up with a team option.

yup they got rid of that loophole

[niQ]

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[Scase]

Lol Durant is old.. wtf is Phoenix expecting???

There was a report a week or 2 ago where they said they expected a similar return to what they paid, they are out to lunch lol.

[ArthurVandelay]

Lol Durant is old.. wtf is Phoenix expecting???

There was a report a week or 2 ago where they said they expected a similar return to what they paid, they are out to lunch lol.

Just because you sold the farm doesn't mean anyone else will.

[MiamiSPX]

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[OakleyDokely]

Buy a car for 20K with 50 kms on it. Drive it to 150 kms. Expect to sell it for the same 20K you paid for it.