Game Day: Suns (21-11) @ Timberwolves (7-27), Sun 2/28/21

[Shabazz]

I remember liking them less, but they were pretty good in the Suns game. They’ve got good chemistry.

[Superbone]

Minnesota's got a great announcing crew. I like the ones from MIL and CHI as well.

Yeah, my brother mentioned that to me and I went back and listened to a lot of it and I'm glad I did. Any crew that can mention both Benny Hill and reference Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm is good in my book. The funny thing was I knew exactly where the Benny Hill reference must have been and I was right. It was during the first half when Moore turned it over, got it back, then threw an awkward alley oop to Cam Johnson.

[Split T]

Well JJ is on board with KAT

[Superbone]

Well JJ is on board with KAT

Ooh. Ayton just had a couple good games in a row. Make it happen!

[Ring_Wanted]

We joke, but I have serious doubts that KAT would elevate this team to a bonafide contender status. The roster would need big moves following that to add defense (but there would be little to no flexibility to do it), and the cost of adding KAT would be huge, say Ayton, Cam, Smith, filler and the now customary control over 3-5 picks, maybe even more (like Dario or Crowder going to a third team; in any case, Bridges sdhould be untouchable).

[Indy]

We joke, but I have serious doubts that KAT would elevate this team to a bonafide contender status. The roster would need big moves following that to add defense (but there would be little to no flexibility to do it), and the cost of adding KAT would be huge, say Ayton, Cam, Smith, filler and the now customary control over 3-5 picks, maybe even more (like Dario or Crowder going to a third team; in any case, Bridges sdhould be untouchable).

It depends if he asks out or not. If he pulls an AD, then they don't have much leverage. I don't think there will be 3-5 picks involved.

But I agree that just having him in place of, let's say Ayton/Cam/Smith/filler/1-2 picks, doesn't make us a lot better than we are. Part of that is because KAT hasn't been himself this year (rightfully so).

[Superbone]

We joke, but I have serious doubts that KAT would elevate this team to a bonafide contender status. The roster would need big moves following that to add defense (but there would be little to no flexibility to do it), and the cost of adding KAT would be huge, say Ayton, Cam, Smith, filler and the now customary control over 3-5 picks, maybe even more (like Dario or Crowder going to a third team; in any case, Bridges sdhould be untouchable).

It depends if he asks out or not. If he pulls an AD, then they don't have much leverage. I don't think there will be 3-5 picks involved.

But I agree that just having him in place of, let's say Ayton/Cam/Smith/filler/1-2 picks, makes us a lot better than we are. Part of that is because KAT hasn't been himself this year (rightfully so).

Maybe missing a "doesn't" from that statement?

[specialsauce]

KATs defense is awful, and he’s a little bit of the AAU personality that I hate as well (aka SOFT just like DA). But he’s far more offensively talented at least. Not sure he’s worth the extra money, and he wouldn’t be my first choice to spend the farm on. If you’re asking if I would be upset if we traded DA+filler for KAT that’s an easy NO

I’d prefer to keep Cam and MB. I would forfeit more picks instead.

DA, Crowder, Jevon and 3 first round picks (2 unprotected, 1 pick swap)

[Indy]

Yes bone. my bad.

[Mori Chu]

KATs defense is awful, and he’s a little bit of the AAU personality that I hate as well (aka SOFT just like DA). But he’s far more offensively talented at least. Not sure he’s worth the extra money, and he wouldn’t be my first choice to spend the farm on. If you’re asking if I would be upset if we traded DA+filler for KAT that’s an easy NO

I’d prefer to keep Cam and MB. I would forfeit more picks instead.

DA, Crowder, Jevon and 3 first round picks (2 unprotected, 1 pick swap)

You would trade DA, Crowder, and 3 first rounders for KAT? That sounds steep to me. I get that we'd be good and therefore our picks might be late in the 1st round. But that's a lot to give up.

[specialsauce]

Yes. I don’t care about first rounders if it means acquiring a star.

[BKinSJC]

We'd have to remove the protections on the pick we owe the Thunder, and get them to agree to that, in order to trade any draft picks within the next few years, since that pick has various protections for the next few years and theoretically might not transfer until as late as 2025. You can't make deals that might involve conveying draft picks in consecutive years under the Stepien Rule.

[O_Gardino]

You guys, this is a fan board. If you are going to make up trades, please make up ones that go in our favor. Thank you.

[Indy]

You guys, this is a fan board. If you are going to make up trades, please make up ones that go in our favor. Thank you.

I think this tells us more about the bar the last 10 years have set for us than anything.

[Oatmeal]

Booker/Bridges are really the only thing off limits in a KAT deal IMO. Cam is nice, but I'm not letting him stop acquiring a modern big who can score from every level. A KAT/Booker or CP3 PnR is unstoppable.

[O_Gardino]

Booker/Bridges are really the only thing off limits in a KAT deal IMO. Cam is nice, but I'm not letting him stop acquiring a modern big who can score from every level. A KAT/Booker or CP3 PnR is unstoppable.

I'm pretty sure any pick and roll defended by Book and KAT is also unstoppable.

[Indy]

Booker/Bridges are really the only thing off limits in a KAT deal IMO. Cam is nice, but I'm not letting him stop acquiring a modern big who can score from every level. A KAT/Booker or CP3 PnR is unstoppable.

I'm pretty sure any pick and roll defended by Book and KAT is also unstoppable.

Yeah. That would be really tough.

[Mori Chu]

I'm surprised that KAT is so clearly favored over our current roster. I would worry a lot about Towns's defense, or lack thereof. If he's our center, aren't we just going to get killed on defense every night? How would we make up for that? Our PFs like Crowder, Cam, Saric are pretty decent defenders, but more on the perimeter, not inside.

I watched us play the Wolves the other night and noticed that Ayton could pretty much get any shot he wanted against Towns. This is the same Ayton who is often too timid to go up strong against most of the league's centers. If he can clown KAT like that, won't every team with a good center just kill us?

I also worry that we'd be trading several low-salary assets like Ayton, Cam, and picks for a high-salary one. We might not be able to keep the team together if we had to pay Towns plus all the other guys. Suddenly it isn't Ayton vs Towns, but (Ayton, Cam, picks, and whomever else leaves, such as Crowder, Saric, our bench guards, whatever) vs Towns. That looks less appealing.

[virtual9mm]

I'm surprised that KAT is so clearly favored over our current roster. I would worry a lot about Towns's defense, or lack thereof. If he's our center, aren't we just going to get killed on defense every night? How would we make up for that? Our PFs like Crowder, Cam, Saric are pretty decent defenders, but more on the perimeter, not inside.

I watched us play the Wolves the other night and noticed that Ayton could pretty much get any shot he wanted against Towns. This is the same Ayton who is often too timid to go up strong against most of the league's centers. If he can clown KAT like that, won't every team with a good center just kill us?

I also worry that we'd be trading several low-salary assets like Ayton, Cam, and picks for a high-salary one. We might not be able to keep the team together if we had to pay Towns plus all the other guys. Suddenly it isn't Ayton vs Towns, but (Ayton, Cam, picks, and whomever else leaves, such as Crowder, Saric, our bench guards, whatever) vs Towns. That looks less appealing.

Exactly. I believe that folks around here are dramatically underestimating how important Ayton is to the team -- despite his on-and-off offense. The Suns are winning because of defense. If you want to go back to the D'Antoni years, feel free to trade Ayton for KAT.

That being said, if there's a way to get KAT without trading CP3, Booker, DA, or Bridges -- imagine if you had KAT playing PF alongside DA. Pipe dream? Perhaps. But what a killer lineup CP3 + Booker + Bridges + KAT + DA would be. But I wouldn't rely on KAT to anchor a defense.

Edit: Crowder + Saric + Jalen Smith would be enough to match salaries. Although I'd hate to lose Saric. This would only work if the Suns attached draft assets + if KAT forces his way out of Minnesota, of course.

[Ring_Wanted]

I'm surprised that KAT is so clearly favored over our current roster. I would worry a lot about Towns's defense, or lack thereof. If he's our center, aren't we just going to get killed on defense every night? How would we make up for that? Our PFs like Crowder, Cam, Saric are pretty decent defenders, but more on the perimeter, not inside.

I watched us play the Wolves the other night and noticed that Ayton could pretty much get any shot he wanted against Towns. This is the same Ayton who is often too timid to go up strong against most of the league's centers. If he can clown KAT like that, won't every team with a good center just kill us?

I also worry that we'd be trading several low-salary assets like Ayton, Cam, and picks for a high-salary one. We might not be able to keep the team together if we had to pay Towns plus all the other guys. Suddenly it isn't Ayton vs Towns, but (Ayton, Cam, picks, and whomever else leaves, such as Crowder, Saric, our bench guards, whatever) vs Towns. That looks less appealing.

That's because in the end KAT is a major talent (and Ayton is not living up to the expectations). Personally, as I said, I have doubts that I'd pull the trigger, but I can't fault those who think 'let's add the offensive superstar and figure out the rest later', especially if it doesn't cost any premium asset beyond Ayton.