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Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 10:59 am
by Carno
I generally don't trust Fischer, and in this case he is only stating the obvious. Keeping KD was always a possibility. I think the Suns will trade him, but there are several reasons to float that they may keep him.
- Posturing. Other teams need to believe the Suns don't want to trade him.
- The new coach might actually want to keep him.
- Trading Beal might solve the majority of their problems.
- Other teams don't make good offers... the Suns might believe they are better of standing pat (with KD) than what they would get in a trade.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 11:42 am
by Superbone
Carno wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 10:59 am
I generally don't trust Fischer, and in this case he is only stating the obvious. Keeping KD was always a possibility. I think the Suns will trade him, but there are several reasons to float that they may keep him.
- Posturing. Other teams need to believe the Suns don't want to trade him.
- The new coach might actually want to keep him.
- Trading Beal might solve the majority of their problems.
- Other teams don't make good offers... the Suns might believe they are better of standing pat (with KD) than what they would get in a trade.
True. I don't want to take a crap offer just to take one. Hold out for something decent.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 11:46 am
by BigLewy
Split T wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 10:54 am
JJ Slim wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 10:21 am
SportingNews proposed trade:
Trade prediction sees Suns dump Kevin Durant to Western Conference rival in shocking deal
Houston Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (#10 overall), 2026 First-Round Pick (via Phoenix), 2027 First-Round Pick (via Phoenix)
Washington Wizards Receive: Jock Landale, 2025 First-Round Pick (#29 overall), 2029 First-Round Pick (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah)
Not sure why Washington would do it but it seems reasonable from our perspective.
This would be incredible
Which is exactly why it won't happen
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 11:50 am
by Split T
What’s the worst offer you guys would accept?
If we’re talking Houston, what if they said, we’ll give you Green/Smith and 1 pick(and not even one of our own), would you do it?
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:21 pm
by ShelC
I'd probably do that because I've convinced myself: KD needs to not come back; We're not going to get any great offers anyway; Jabari can be the impact 2-way big we need next to Book
I'd look to offload Green immediately but know that probably wouldn't happen. So we'd have another logjam with Book and Green (it won't work), and would need to eventually re-allocate Green's salary into PG and C.
But that's two pretty good young players and a pick on the way.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:30 pm
by Split T
Let’s say they say no pick…just Green and Smith?
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:34 pm
by ShelC
Ehhh I'd need a pick. Or they need to throw in Eason.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:37 pm
by Split T
I think I’m at the same spot…I’d obviously try for more, but Smith/green/1st would be the lowest I’d go
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 1:25 pm
by JJ Slim
I just want to mention that the Sporting News report was pulled from a larger series of trades on BleacherReport
Blockbuster NBA Trade Ideas for Celtics, Suns and Teams Desperate For a Change
The trade I listed above was the first of two parts. This is the second part based on the Bucks trying to retain Giannis:
Phoenix Suns Receive: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick, Milwaukee's 2031 second-round pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Bradley Beal (no-trade clause)
Utah Jazz Receive: Chris Livingston, 2026 second-round pick (less favorable of Denver and Golden State, via Phoenix)
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 1:39 pm
by Mori Chu
If we aren't getting any 1st round picks, it is not a good KD trade, and we should say no. Preferably multiple 1sts should be coming back.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 1:40 pm
by Mori Chu
JJ Slim wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 1:25 pm
I just want to mention that the Sporting News report was pulled from a larger series of trades on BleacherReport
Blockbuster NBA Trade Ideas for Celtics, Suns and Teams Desperate For a Change
The trade I listed above was the first of two parts. This is the second part based on the Bucks trying to retain Giannis:
Phoenix Suns Receive: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick, Milwaukee's 2031 second-round pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Bradley Beal (no-trade clause)
Utah Jazz Receive: Chris Livingston, 2026 second-round pick (less favorable of Denver and Golden State, via Phoenix)
That would be a really great trade if we could get rid of Beal and get some picks and a possibly eventually playable Dame.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 3:18 pm
by Split T
Agreed, that’s an awesome Beal trade
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 3:19 pm
by Split T
We should hire whoever did that sporting news article as our GM…or better yet, the Houston/Milwaukee/Washington GM haha
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 3:39 pm
by TOO
ShelC wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 12:21 pm
I'd probably do that because I've convinced myself: KD needs to not come back; We're not going to get any great offers anyway; Jabari can be the impact 2-way big we need next to Book
I'd look to offload Green immediately but know that probably wouldn't happen. So we'd have another logjam with Book and Green (it won't work), and would need to eventually re-allocate Green's salary into PG and C.
But that's two pretty good young players and a pick on the way.
Smith is a tall, not a big.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 3:42 pm
by Split T
I think Smith is a good 4 to put next to a small big. He’s played some small ball 5 in the past, but that is definitely not something I’d want to count on. I’d worry about rebounding with a Smith/Oso frontcourt, but I think it could be interesting.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 4:35 pm
by Carno
Split T wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:50 am
What’s the worst offer you guys would accept?
If we’re talking Houston, what if they said, we’ll give you Green/Smith and 1 pick (and not even one of our own), would you do it?
It depends on the other offers, but if this was the only one, I'd say no. Green/Smith and some crappy #1 isn't going to move make the Suns any better. In my opinion, they will be better retooling around KD/Book. They probably get better offers at the trade deadline.
Green/Smith, the 2025 #10 and at least one of our other picks...I'd do that.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 7:36 pm
by Kryptonic
Mori Chu wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 1:40 pm
JJ Slim wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 1:25 pm
I just want to mention that the Sporting News report was pulled from a larger series of trades on BleacherReport
Blockbuster NBA Trade Ideas for Celtics, Suns and Teams Desperate For a Change
The trade I listed above was the first of two parts. This is the second part based on the Bucks trying to retain Giannis:
Phoenix Suns Receive: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick, Milwaukee's 2031 second-round pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Bradley Beal (no-trade clause)
Utah Jazz Receive: Chris Livingston, 2026 second-round pick (less favorable of Denver and Golden State, via Phoenix)
That would be a really great trade if we could get rid of Beal and get some picks and a possibly eventually playable Dame.
If we got Dame I’d hope it plays out similarly to how grant hill came back and adjusted his game accordingly to still be a decent player.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 7:37 pm
by Mori Chu
Split T wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:50 am
What’s the worst offer you guys would accept?
If we’re talking Houston, what if they said, we’ll give you Green/Smith and 1 pick(and not even one of our own), would you do it?
I don't want to keep KD, but I would not get rid of him if it got such a depressing package back. Green is a very questionable asset in terms of value for contract. Smith is okay, but not enough by himself to anchor the trade. Honestly that trade is BS in terms of what Houston would be giving up. They have a ton of picks and young players! And we don't get any of the good ones? They can't expect us to give up a go-to 25+ ppg scorer in KD if we aren't getting anything good back. They should have to give up two 1sts and at least one or two interesting young players. That offer ain't it.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 7:41 pm
by Kryptonic
Mori Chu wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 7:37 pm
Split T wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 11:50 am
What’s the worst offer you guys would accept?
If we’re talking Houston, what if they said, we’ll give you Green/Smith and 1 pick(and not even one of our own), would you do it?
I don't want to keep KD, but I would not get rid of him if it got such a depressing package back. Green is a very questionable asset in terms of value for contract. Smith is okay, but not enough by himself to anchor the trade. Honestly that trade is BS in terms of what Houston would be giving up. They have a ton of picks and young players! And we don't get any of the good ones? They can't expect us to give up a go-to 25+ ppg scorer in KD if we aren't getting anything good back. They should have to give up two 1sts and at least one or two interesting young players. That offer ain't it.
I hear what you’re saying but I think we’re overvaluing a 70 year old KD. I think they’re just tempering expectations…. Which is smart after how much we’ve had our heart ripped out in recent years.
Re: The Kevin Durant Problem
Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 10:34 am
by Split T
Would you do Johnson/Vassell/#14?
How about KD/#29 for Johnson/Barnes/Sochan/#2