The Kevin Durant Problem

[Superbone]

I think the Suns at least make the playoffs no matter what they do (unless.Booker gets traded or signifanctly injured).

I'd like to believe that but I'm not sure how you got there, Carno. A lot has to go right for us to make the playoffs next year. We have to have a nice makeover with a real team and our new head coach has to really get buy in and get the guys to rally together as a team.

[The Bobster]

If they get enough talent back AND the have a better-balanced roster AND they learn to play some defense, I think they have a good chance of at least making the play-in.

[Carno]

I think the Suns at least make the playoffs no matter what they do (unless.Booker gets traded or signifanctly injured).

I'd like to believe that but I'm not sure how you got there, Carno. A lot has to go right for us to make the playoffs next year. We have to have a nice makeover with a real team and our new head coach has to really get buy in and get the guys to rally together as a team.

Well, 1) I'm an eternal optimist, and 2) I expect a lot of the problems we saw last season will be improved upon. There's collective defeatism within Suns fandom right now.

I'm not saying I expect a title contender, but I think a 0.500 team is not an unreasonable expectation. I don't even think that's a controversial statement. It's just that many Suns fans think that's a reason to rebuild where I'm not quite there yet.

[Mori Chu]

I just don't see any possible way we make the playoffs. We are going to be trading away Kevin Durant, an All-Star who averaged 26.6 / 6 / 4 on .527 / .430 / .839 splits. He had his flaws, and our roster was imbalanced, but he also single-handedly won us several games in the clutch or carried us on nights when we otherwise would have lost. It would be really hard to trade him away and replace his production and his contribution to winning.

It reminds me a bit of when we traded away Barkley. By then the Chuckster wasn't at his prime any more, but we traded him for younger guys and picks, and despite the aggregate talent of those new players, in the immediate aftermath we certainly won fewer games. Trading away our star was the right decision then and it's the right decision now. But I think there will be some short-term pain afterward.

[Superbone]

I just don't see any possible way we make the playoffs. We are going to be trading away Kevin Durant, an All-Star who averaged 26.6 / 6 / 4 on .527 / .430 / .839 splits. He had his flaws, and our roster was imbalanced, but he also single-handedly won us several games in the clutch or carried us on nights when we otherwise would have lost. It would be really hard to trade him away and replace his production and his contribution to winning.

It reminds me a bit of when we traded away Barkley. By then the Chuckster wasn't at his prime any more, but we traded him for younger guys and picks, and despite the aggregate talent of those new players, in the immediate aftermath we certainly won fewer games. Trading away our star was the right decision then and it's the right decision now. But I think there will be some short-term pain afterward.

Durant lost us just as many games if not more than he won for us. He was not a good fit and did not inspire team play.

[TOO]

Locked on Suns says it seems Ishbia is leading the way for the trade. Our very own Jerry Jones, so fun.

[Kryptonic]

Locked on Suns says it seems Ishbia is leading the way for the trade. Our very own Jerry Jones, so fun.

I still like how they’re acting like he’s just now going to start being more involved…. Like he wasn’t the one who pushed the KD trade the minute he walked in the door.

[ShelC]

If they get enough talent back AND the have a better-balanced roster AND they learn to play some defense, I think they have a good chance of at least making the play-in.

It's definitely possible but it's hard to have faith in this braintrust to get the KD trade right, maximize any draft picks we have and bring in the right free agents in just one offseason. And that's not even mentioning the first time head coach needing to put it all together.

[The Bobster]

If they get enough talent back AND the have a better-balanced roster AND they learn to play some defense, I think they have a good chance of at least making the play-in.

It's definitely possible but it's hard to have faith in this braintrust to get the KD trade right, maximize any draft picks we have and bring in the right free agents in just one offseason. And that's not even mentioning the first time head coach needing to put it all together.

I'd give them a 50/50 chance next year. But they have to address some pretty significant roster problems.

[JeremyG]

Of course Spurs are keeping the #2 pick, because it’s the Ishbia way.

[Split T]

They are keeping the #2 pick because it’s got way more value than Kevin Durant

[JeremyG]

They are keeping the #2 pick because it’s got way more value than Kevin Durant

Not necessarily to a team that wants to compete right away. I bet Danny Ainge would be able to get the #2 pick from them.

[ShelC]

On the one hand, why agree to something now when you could get better offers right up to the draft? On the other hand, if they get the package of players and picks they like, should they lock it in?

[Mori Chu]

FWIW Simmons just made up that rumor, he says on the podcast it is not based on any actual info.

[Split T]

Well it is a rumor, but it is based on all the chatter about KD to the Spurs…there is a lot.

[BigLewy]

I'm mentally preparing myself for a Spurs deal to be Sochan/Vassell/Keldon Johnson and pick #14 for KD. Or swap Barnes' expiring with Keldon Johnson.

[ShelC]

Yea that's kind of where I'm at. I'm ready to be whelmed.

[JeremyG]

[wpmiller42]

I'm mentally preparing myself for a Spurs deal to be Sochan/Vassell/Keldon Johnson and pick #14 for KD. Or swap Barnes' expiring with Keldon Johnson.

Honestly, if the Spurs are really this close to a deal, I hold out for the #2 pick... because I think, at the end of the day, if you have a chance to pair KD with Wemby and Castle, you do it.

[JeremyG]

It sounds like the problem is that they are letting Durant dictate his destination once again.