The Kevin Durant Problem

[Superbone]

[Superbone]

[TOO]

I like what the bot says. Gimme all the draft capital

[Mori Chu]

Am I missing something here? Why aren't we calling Memphis to offer them KD? They have our 2026 1st which would be of great value to get back. Something like KD for JJJ, KCP or whoever else as salary ballast, and 2026 1st?

[TOO]

Am I missing something here? Why aren't we calling Memphis to offer them KD? They have our 2026 1st which would be of great value to get back. Something like KD for JJJ, KCP or whoever else as salary ballast, and 2026 1st?

Why would Memphis do that? Great for us, stinks ass for them.

[Split T]

Ya JJJ is a better asset than KD

[iLLmatic]

Gotta have two agreeing parties.

[Superbone]

Gotta have two agreeing parties.

Well, dang it! That complicates things.

[virtual9mm]

This is not at all a bad deal.

[ShelC]

[Mori Chu]

I like Claxton. I hope this rumor turns out to be true.

I was just checking his stats. 10.3 / 7.4 / 2.2 and 56.3% FG. A lowlight is his .513 FT%, oof.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... tni01.html

[Split T]

Clax wasn’t great last year…he’s better than what we got, but I hope that’s just a Jalen green reroute and not someone we’re sending additional assets for.

[O_Gardino]

I just don't understand why Toronto would do any of these trades. Are they counting on KD to get them to the playoffs by himself? Maybe they think KD will pull in better free agents? Durant, Ingram, and Barnes are all forwards, right?

Feels like the Toronto offers are just a story to pressure the other teams.

[Split T]

I just don't understand why Toronto would do any of these trades. Are they counting on KD to get them to the playoffs by himself? Maybe they think KD will pull in better free agents? Durant, Ingram, and Barnes are all forwards, right?

Feels like the Toronto offers are just a story to pressure the other teams.

I’ve wondered that too…my guess is they want KD so they can attract another star…perhaps Giannis

[INFORMER]

The Suns need to get over next season; they've dug themselves that no single trade is going to undo it.

I knew this grit and grime garbage was going to be another hinderance in this team making good decisions. Get Ware because he is a talented, young big on a rookie deal; this "soft" foolishness is just silly.

I think he has real upside, even some star potential, but I get Christian Wood vibes from him.

I think the two of you are missing the game-within-a-game. What the Suns are actually doing is putting pressure on Houston by devaluing the Suns' picks. "Throw them in! Otherwise, we'll make them suck" is the message.

I'm thinking it's smart.

You are overestimating the impact of the trade package, and undervaluing the strength of Houston's position.

There isn't a trade package out there that turns the Suns into a contender; and there certainly isn't a trade package that positions the Suns are long-term contention. So the threat or premise that the Suns can vault themselves into greatness to render these picks nothing more than glorified second rounders isn't realistic.

Houston is super young and loaded with young prospects that are still developing, PLUS they have a ton of picks. AND they were the second seed. The Suns' picks are all gravy; there is no consternation about how low or high the Suns' picks turn out to be.

[INFORMER]

The Suns need to get over next season; they've dug themselves that no single trade is going to undo it.

I knew this grit and grime garbage was going to be another hinderance in this team making good decisions. Get Ware because he is a talented, young big on a rookie deal; this "soft" foolishness is just silly.

Too soon to make the call on Ware, but when it comes to "soft", Andrew Wiggins is on that NBA Mt. Rushmore for his pay scale (right next to Brad Beal).

I'm not denying Wiggins is soft; I just don't think it matters. He is salary filler and can be moved to a third team (Washington, Chicago, etc.) And he has two years left on his at under $30 million per year. I don't think that should be a deal-killer.

[INFORMER]

I’d rather just run it back with KD than to take a bs trade. Just get off 54 million completely or sign and trade him in the offseason then to take bottom of the barrel offers. Probably in the minority but just how I feel. Trade Grayson for size and run it back again. I’d much rather do that than to see Jalen Green here.

I don’t want Jalen Green here, but I don’t think he’s some albatross contract and useless player. I think we can move him elsewhere and I think there’s also a chance to develop him.

Develop him?! He plays the same position as Beal and Booker, he is a (low percentage) volume shooter, and he is starting a contract extension that pays him over $30 million a year. Bringing him in to "develop him" seems asinine.

[INFORMER]

I think Wiggins/Ware/Robinson/20 is fair. It’s nothing special…I’d push for a 2nd pick or Jovic, but it’s better than what Houston/SA are offering.

I think you're lowering the bar too low.

If we're dealing with Miami the package should be:

Andrew Wiggins
Kyle Anderson
Nikola Jovic
Kel'el Ware
Pelle Larsson
#20
Future 2nd rounder

[INFORMER]

Am I missing something here? Why aren't we calling Memphis to offer them KD? They have our 2026 1st which would be of great value to get back. Something like KD for JJJ, KCP or whoever else as salary ballast, and 2026 1st?

[Split T]

I’d rather just run it back with KD than to take a bs trade. Just get off 54 million completely or sign and trade him in the offseason then to take bottom of the barrel offers. Probably in the minority but just how I feel. Trade Grayson for size and run it back again. I’d much rather do that than to see Jalen Green here.

I don’t want Jalen Green here, but I don’t think he’s some albatross contract and useless player. I think we can move him elsewhere and I think there’s also a chance to develop him.

Develop him?! He plays the same position as Beal and Booker, he is a (low percentage) volume shooter, and he is starting a contract extension that pays him over $30 million a year. Bringing him in to "develop him" seems asinine.

I mean my preferred option would not be to keep him. So I’m not bringing him in to “develop him.” Perhaps that was the wrong phrasing…rehabilitate his value maybe? My goal would still be to ultimately move him. And yes, you absolutely can’t have Beal here though.