Shams: Kevin Durant Traded to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, No. 10, Five 2nd Round Picks

[pepe1991]

I feel that is kinda a bad deal for both sides. Houston didn't need to do this, 37 KD aint doing a thing for them IMO. For the Suns, at least they got something, but I bet they still hoped they could fool someone into a better offer.

Rockets needed a scorer and got one.

If they even had an average one, they make the WCF last year. Jalen Green had one job and couldn't even scorer 10 points in a game 7. Pitiful player that offers nothing.

I don't know, KD by now has a bad aura following him, finding happy KD is a new grail of the NBA. And he is 37, if he is jsut flat out worse than Jalen Green by next season, that wouldn't be shocking, it is shocking he is still not fallen apart as it, and I mean, he didn't, so maybe I sell him short, but that cliff down comes fast and when it happens it just happens.

Durant in wheelchairs would be better offensive player than J. Green will ever be.

After 4 years, what Green really showed? That he is Temu version of Zach Lavine? Sorry, but that's not player worth investing any further. Might as well get real Zach Lavine if you like sub 60 IQ basketball decisions.

And those peformances in playoffs from Green... He just isn't good player. He can't get his shots up against serious defense, he can't beat people off the dribble if it's not transition and he does not draw enough fouls to get you easy points . Had one excellent games and looked like bench player in every other game. 11 ppg, 48% TS for $33M guy who's only strenght is scoring?


Rockets will win again 50-60 games, they need somebody to put ball through hoop in playoffs. 37 years old guy isn't most reliable option, sure.
But what was selling price? Overpaid SG, undersized SF, 10th pick that they never had to suffer for and bunch of second round picks?

People forgot that Durant is one of most reliable and highest playoff scorers in history of this game. Kareer 170 playoff games, 60% TS, 29,5 ppg.

Even if he declines, he will still be massive treat on offense, and disciplined on defense enough to not be liability. Can things go south ? Sure. But they still sit on pile of picks they have to do make up trade. KD is in last year of his deal anyway.

[reamily]

will see where green will end up or will phoenix able to ship beal or booker..

But if they able to get something from booker beal and jalen can jumpstart a good rebuild

[NyKnicks1714]

Phoenix was 33-29 with KD in lineup last season, 3-17 without him.

[Gert42]

I would not want to get into the Kevin Durant extension business, but I get getting rid of Green is addition by subtraction.

This team is also super expensive in 26-27.

[benson13]

If you watched game 7 of the Rockets’ series against the Warriors, you saw that Houston was vulnerable to offensive droughts. Jalen Green couldn’t address that. He scored single digits in that game. Durant can.

Giving up Brooks kind of hurts Houston, but Amen Thompson is a walking double team. It was only one lottery pick in an okay draft. Second round picks can be traded for using cash.

[TheAlchemist]

All that posturing in the media by the Suns and THIS is what they ended up taking for Durant?

Whatever I guess. Good for Houston

Why even care as a Spurs fan? He's old, injured, a head case.

Why expose someone like that to Victor? There's a conundrum with the second overall pick and Fox, and how they can co-exist in a basketball sense. If I was the Spurs I'd be more focused on pursuing a Fox trade and filling out the roster.

[John Murdoch]

Jalen Green is basically an overpaid Lou Williams , gl tryna move that deal now

[jokeboy86]

Also Adam Silver may be a complete pushover and a fool. If I’m commissioner I mandate that no trade discussions or FA signings happen or if possible even announced until a week after the playoffs end. You have a game 7 taking place for your signature event and championship series and the attention now has been hijacked. No matter what happens today regarding legacies or where this series ranks all time, all anyone will be talking about is KD tomorrow

[mdonnelly1989]

Rockets defense is the reason they were the two seed last year. If KD stays healthy and gives them 25-27 a night in 50+ % why can’t they make a legit push for the finals.

Especially because their young roster is going to get better too

[UcanUwill]

Rockets needed a scorer and got one.

If they even had an average one, they make the WCF last year. Jalen Green had one job and couldn't even scorer 10 points in a game 7. Pitiful player that offers nothing.

I don't know, KD by now has a bad aura following him, finding happy KD is a new grail of the NBA. And he is 37, if he is jsut flat out worse than Jalen Green by next season, that wouldn't be shocking, it is shocking he is still not fallen apart as it, and I mean, he didn't, so maybe I sell him short, but that cliff down comes fast and when it happens it just happens.

Durant in wheelchairs would be better offensive player than J. Green will ever be.

After 4 years, what Green really showed? That he is Temu version of Zach Lavine? Sorry, but that's not player worth investing any further. Might as well get real Zach Lavine if you like sub 60 IQ basketball decisions.

And those peformances in playoffs from Green... He just isn't good player. He can't get his shots up against serious defense, he can't beat people off the dribble if it's not transition and he does not draw enough fouls to get you easy points . Had one excellent games and looked like bench player in every other game. 11 ppg, 48% TS for $33M guy who's only strenght is scoring?


Rockets will win again 50-60 games, they need somebody to put ball through hoop in playoffs. 37 years old guy isn't most reliable option, sure.
But what was selling price? Overpaid SG, undersized SF, 10th pick that they never had to suffer for and bunch of second round picks?

People forgot that Durant is one of most reliable and highest playoff scorers in history of this game. Kareer 170 playoff games, 60% TS, 29,5 ppg.

Even if he declines, he will still be massive treat on offense, and disciplined on defense enough to not be liability. Can things go south ? Sure. But they still sit on pile of picks they have to do make up trade. KD is in last year of his deal anyway.

Maybe you are right. I definitely aknowledge that Houston did not give up a lot, the thing I miss is number 10 pick honestly, that could be something interesting, and I would just kept that, and brooks, and Jalen. IDK, I do not believe KD changes a ton, but maybe I am wrong, I am generally high on Houston, was one of the few people here who projected them to be play off team this season, and If Sengun and other kids get better, maybe they are legit team KD, we will see. They already have Shappard that they dont play, maybe they really dont need that top 10 pick at all. Hopefully, Sheppard get some of Jalens minutes.

[Shock Defeat]

Fans don't understand. Jalen Green was not good this season. The Rockets won 50 games in spite of them. They would have beat GS with KD this year.

They also have Cam Whitmore in the wings who can conceivably be better than Jalen. Jalen Green is still young, has shown flashes, but at this point he's not going to get much better. He's played a ton already in the NBA, most guys don't make a miraculous leap after so many seasons & minutes in the league.

[jkvonny]

As a Spurs fan I'm a lil bummed out but at the same time feel relieved
We retain our players and assets!
Pretty sure Minnesota feels the same way.

Congrats to Houston, good luck.

[PlatinumState]

Thats a much better haul for the Suns than I expected

[Captain_Obvious]

I really like this for the Suns

You get two starters and #10 for ancient Durant. You are younger and hungrier.

Some of the 2nds look bad however. Maybe they help you get Maluach with #10. Will be interesting to see what they do with #10.

Except the 2 starters play the same position of the Suns current 2 best players and 2 best bench players LOL

I mean Suns really only have 1 best player and that is Book. Yeah you give up size but in this positionless nba you can slot most of new and old pieces 1-3, sometimes at the 4 (Brooks, Royce). They can fit next to Book.

I really think Beal is an afterthought at this point - if you get anything out of him off the bench you take that as a bonus. You hope he drops his no-trade clause next year so you can at least use him as an expiring after next season.

[jkvonny]

Thats a much better haul for the Suns than I expected

I thought the same as well.

[Optms]

I think this moves pulls Houston clearly ahead of the Wolves for second best team in the West.

Serious threat to the Thunder. Rockets now are elite on both ends with massive depth and an elite scorer and closer to match Shai, possibly out duel him. Good luck putting someone like Caruso on KD.

[DaPessimist]

I think it's a solid trade. I'm not a fan of Green, and KD has 2 years left at best, so both assets are flawed.

Personally, if I'm Houston, I'm taking the slow approach and keeping my draft picks, but I don't think they believe Green is going to develop into what they need.

[Backcountry]

Not bad for both teams considering the situation. I’m not a fan of Houston moving Brooks but I guess they have Amen so it’s okay… Brooks brought an edge though. Either way, both teams got what they wanted.

I think Amen will be the edge guy. He showed some of that this season. Houston improved at a fairly low cost.

[ball_takes23]

Love the trade for the Rockets but KD must have told the Suns no matter what he better not start the season with them cause this trade is meh for their side other than the #10 pick. Kudos to the Rockets for not having to give up Thompson or Smith because even if KD won’t sign an extension this summer(which u never know with KD) they still have a great foundation and can possibly gear up to get another top FA in a couple of years.

KD obviously gave the Suns no leverage because I’m not making a trade unless I get Thompson or Smith. I’ve never been a Green fan since his ceiling is basically Zach Lavine whatever that’s worth. He’s a chucker who will always think he’s better than he is. Players like Brooks come around all the time so his value wasn’t that high to me. Suns at this point are just biding time until Beal’s contract expires so they could start a proper rebuild. I know the Suns are the only franchise Booker knows and they treat him like royalty but outside of 3 years he’s essentially wasted his prime not really playing meaningful basketball. If I were him I would think about asking for a trade.

For all the people saying the Suns may look to trade Green right away, who really values Green that high right now other than an awful basement dwelling team who may not even need him and his salary to lead a tank?

good point on Green, if im the Suns I bench Beal this season, make his life a living hell, let Green average 26 ppg on a terrible team and try to flip him after this season.

[Tor_Raps]

I really like this for the Suns

You get two starters and #10 for ancient Durant. You are younger and hungrier.

Some of the 2nds look bad however. Maybe they help you get Maluach with #10. Will be interesting to see what they do with #10.

Except the 2 starters play the same position of the Suns current 2 best players and 2 best bench players LOL

I mean Suns really only have 1 best player and that is Book. Yeah you give up size but in this positionless nba you can slot most of new and old pieces 1-3, sometimes at the 4 (Brooks, Royce). They can fit next to Book.

I really think Beal is an afterthought at this point - if you get anything out of him off the bench you take that as a bonus. You hope he drops his no-trade clause next year so you can at least use him as an expiring after next season.

But the NBA isnt really positionless... foolish people thought that but are realizing quickly you still need players to fill certain roles on the court.

The suns were getting demolished defensively in the paint with KD and now they've gotten even smaller lol. They need to find some real PFs.