Sure sounds like KD is leaving

[statsman]

On the Celtics board, they think KD would want to join them because of Kyrie.

But they don’t have cap space so it would have to be a sign and trade.

Warriors would take back $35 million in salaries? Ainge would probably try to dump Hayward or Horford, who each make about $30 million next year.

Yeah, I’m sure the Warriors are going to pay big luxury taxes for either of those players.

Any such S&T would require at least a 3rd team to move salary and picks to.

[Outside]

On the Celtics board, they think KD would want to join them because of Kyrie.

But they don’t have cap space so it would have to be a sign and trade.

Warriors would take back $35 million in salaries? Ainge would probably try to dump Hayward or Horford, who each make about $30 million next year.

Yeah, I’m sure the Warriors are going to pay big luxury taxes for either of those players.

What advantage does Kyrie have over Steph? This is just Celtic homerism on the board. No elite guard would mesh as well with Durant as Curry does.

[wco81]

Kyrie is suppose to be buddy buddy with KD.

And also AD.

You don't get the sense that Steph and KD are that close or alike. Probably different backgrounds and by the time KD came to the Warriors, Steph is a parent and probably spending most of his off court hours with the family when not on the road, while KD has his own crew.

[wco81]

One of the rumored scenarios was KD and Kyrie both signing with the Knicks.

Well today the Knicks trade away the unicorn to open up cap space for two max salary slots.

[Money_]

One of the rumored scenarios was KD and Kyrie both signing with the Knicks.

Well today the Knicks trade away the unicorn to open up cap space for two max salary slots.

That scenario doesn't bother me as much as others. For one thing you'll have 3-4 really good teams in the East.
Secondly, it involves NO one going to the Lakers...

[wco81]

Bill Simmons podcast was playing up that possibility, that KD or his business partner Rich Kleiman communicated to the Knicks that there has to be two max salary slots.

Kleiman is suppose to be a diehard Knicks fan and his dream job is to be Knicks GM.

[Sleepy51]

Keep in mind, Bill Simmons is literally never even trying to be right about anything. His entire shtick is that he’s “just a fan shooting the with his bros.” He is a columnist, not a reporter. He’s not NBA connected and has no sourcing for anything he opines. In his defense. He never claims to be reporting anything. He’s a sports “humorist.”

Any team trying to sign a superstar at this point in NBA history needs to either already have another superstar on the roster. Or clear space to sign two of them. None of the stars are looking to go it alone and be the scapegoat for not being able to beat the other super teams.

The knicks were not an attractive superstar destination with Zingis. No one wants to play with a bunch of dead capspace sitting in the training room during games.

[Outside]

Kyrie is suppose to be buddy buddy with KD.

And also AD.

You don't get the sense that Steph and KD are that close or alike. Probably different backgrounds and by the time KD came to the Warriors, Steph is a parent and probably spending most of his off court hours with the family when not on the road, while KD has his own crew.

I don't get this. Yeah, they're at different places in their private lives, but they seem to genuinely like each other as teammates. I mean, Steph has to be the absolute easiest superstar in the history of the game to get along with. By all appearances, he is a genuinely great dude. It is so rare to have someone who is the best at something -- business or sports -- be a nice person. AD seems like a pretty good dude too, but Steph -- man, if KD wants to leave over personal relationships, then he'll regret that move.

[Outside]

Keep in mind, Bill Simmons is literally never even trying to be right about anything. His entire shtick is that he’s “just a fan shooting the with his bros.” He is a columnist, not a reporter. He’s not NBA connected and has no sourcing for anything he opines. In his defense. He never claims to be reporting anything. He’s a sports “humorist.”

Any team trying to sign a superstar at this point in NBA history needs to either already have another superstar on the roster. Or clear space to sign two of them. None of the stars are looking to go it alone and be the scapegoat for not being able to beat the other super teams.

The knicks were not an attractive superstar destination with Zingis. No one wants to play with a bunch of dead capspace sitting in the training room during games.

The Bill Simmons HBO thing was one of the most disappointing things bball ever. I was looking forward to it, and man, did he fall flat. He thinks he's something, but he didn't show anything.

[Sleepy51]

I liked him when he was just the “Sports Guy” I liked his basketball book. As the figurehead of a media empire, he’s dramatically overexposed. Also his actual voice is grating, shrill and cloying. He must have gotten beat up so much in So Boston talking like that. I liked him much better in print than broadcasting. I’m not a big fan of him as a “brand.” Can’t hate him for the hustle though. A bro has gotta get paid how and when he can.

[Warriorfan]

Any star player ever leave championship squad in free agency. Plus a 4 peat would be historic

[KevinMcreynolds]

Any star player ever leave championship squad in free agency for a team that's the laughing stock of the league? Plus a 4 peat would be historic

fixed

it would be like Pippen or MJ leaving the 97 bulls to play with the Donyell Marshall, Joe Smith Warriors.

[Muscles]

I want KD just for one more year. Get 4 history then he is free to go.

[likashing]

On the Celtics board, they think KD would want to join them because of Kyrie.

But they don’t have cap space so it would have to be a sign and trade.

Warriors would take back $35 million in salaries? Ainge would probably try to dump Hayward or Horford, who each make about $30 million next year.

Yeah, I’m sure the Warriors are going to pay big luxury taxes for either of those players.

Any such S&T would require at least a 3rd team to move salary and picks to.

Horford opts in + one of Tatum/Brown for S&T KD?

KD's year 1 salary will be around $38.15m.

[likashing]

I want KD just for one more year. Get 4 history then he is free to go.

I wouldn't be surprised if KD takes another 1 year deal if we win it this season. Of course he would require the Warriors to re-sign Klay in order for himself to commit another year.

[StepBackCrack]

I think there is a pretty good chance he leaves (for a new experience where he gets more appreciation than he currently does from the fans and the media) but if Davis goes to LA, it will be harder for him to leave. That's for sure.

For some reason, it just feels like he will always be an outsider in Golden State. Team plays bad, KD usually becomes the scapegoat for "ruining" ball movement/Warrior's basketball. It's quite apparent pattern on Warrior's twitter. It's easy to do that because KD is the new guy. He is the outsider. Even some (or many should I say) GSW fans still feel that Draymond is more important than him on the team which is quite frankly a crazy notion to me. KD is way more valuable than a player of Dray's level on any team he plays. GSW fans would stick with Klay and Dray before doing that with KD. That much is clear from what I have seen. Not saying that's wrong tho because naturally you stick with people that have been with you for a longer period. It's natural.

GSW Management is a whole different matter on the other hand, they made him feel very appreciated I think and even showed preferred treatment for him over Green (who crossed the line). I think KD loves the GSW management and the team vibe in general. No doubt about it. This is why there is also a good chance he stays.

All in all, it just seems that the fanbase never fully embraced him and that is probably very hard to stomach for him. Even his own teammate told him "We don't need you!". So even tho they are good now, that must have disappointed Kevin a lot because he never saw it coming from a teammate.

Whereas if he goes to the Knicks with Kyrie, and some good role players, he will be worshiped there for sure and at the same time have a decent chance at making the final in the east or probably even winning a title depending on the role players. But he might never win there or even reach a final so yeah, it's a risky decision.

However, if AD goes to LA, all this goes out of the window I think. If AD goes to LA, it's much much better for him to continue this epic run with GSW (even if he doesn't feel that appreciated in GSW).

So yeah, at this point, the chances of him leaving is 50/50. I literally have no idea what he is thinking at this point but my gut feeling tells me that the Kyrie/KD knicks will happen next season. These 2 are very perfect fit personality-wise.

[Muscles]

I want KD just for one more year. Get 4 history then he is free to go.

I wouldn't be surprised if KD takes another 1 year deal if we win it this season. Of course he would require the Warriors to re-sign Klay in order for himself to commit another year.

That is perfectly fine. One last hurrah at 38 million a year. I don't know any better situation to win and then continue career elsewhere.

[LeonGenesis]

I think he is going to leave and form his own big 3 team. He knows GSW is known as Curry, Klay, and Green.

With Green's last comment about winning a ring without him, he's on a mission to prove Green and all the naysayers that he can win a title without GSW. If we lose KD, then it's going to be hard to win another one. Other teams are getting stronger every year....

[GQ Hot Dog]

KD's not getting a statue if he leaves for another team. Not enough time to create a mythology like what he will have here.

[michaelm]

Good luck to him and great gratitude wherever he goes, although I will be inclined not to wish him too much success while he is at LA if that is where he goes, which he is absolutely entitled to do if that is his choice of course.