The Kevin Durant Problem

[Mori Chu]

I had remembered being more negative or ambivalent about the KD trade at the time. But when I looked back at the thread, my post is one of excitement. I think I was concerned about how much we gave up, but ultimately hyped to see Book and KD together. It was hard not to get excited after a trade like that, one of the biggest superstar acquisitions in league history honestly. I think the way it has turned out is basically about as bad as it could have gone, barring horrible injuries or something.

[wpmiller42]

The more I think about it, the more I think there is something to be said for the coaches we've had. I think Monty got the most out of his brief time with KD. And I think it's because Monty played in the NBA. Because when you watch KD, he really is electric. He's one of the best of all time. If you've ever had the chance to see him play in person, it's incredible.

But with Vogel and now Budenholzer, we've got these weird passes, odd offensive schemes... I think he's being misused, but it looks so odd and terrible to us because we expect this great player to be great. But I think, on some level, Vogel and Bud aren't on the same level as KD, and KD can't get to the same level as them. I think, if we're going to keep KD, we really need to find a former player to coach him. He needs a Lue, or a Reddick... heck, I'd honestly see if Sam Cassell would come coach. I think we'd see a totally different KD next year.

I don't expect this to be a popular take, but I've been thinking about it a lot and I just don't think KD forgot how to play basketball. But we've got some great players who aren't playing great and I think it's because they need a former player to coach them.

[Kryptonic]

I always thought we gave up way too much for him, especially didn’t think he’d play as much. Thought for sure he’d miss 20+ games a season, which he’s done better than.

[Kryptonic]

WP… you’re absolutely right about seeing him play. It’s like watching Kobe or Jordan. They’re smooth like butta.

[Split T]

I’ve been to 2 or 3 suns games since we got KD and he didn’t play in any of them unfortunately

[Cap]

I’ve been to 2 or 3 suns games since we got KD and he didn’t play in any of them unfortunately

As long as you got to see him have a good time on the bench, you got your money’s worth.

[Superbone]

Everybody talks a lot about how much Durant loves basketball but nobody has ever claimed that he loves winning basketball. I think he just loves the game win or lose and what it's done for his life. As long as he just keeps working on his individual skills then he's happy come what may.

[TOO]

Everybody talks a lot about how much Durant loves basketball but nobody has ever claimed that he loves winning basketball. I think he just loves the game win or lose and what it's done for his life. As long as he just keeps working on his individual skills then he's happy come what may.

This seems correct. He went to GSW to "cement his legacy as a champ" but since he's kinda just been cruising along fine with whatever results may come. Hate it.

[specialsauce]

DA loved money. CP3 loves to win. KD loves to play

[Split T]

I’d also say that KD does really love to play with other people who play at a high level. It’s why he went to GS and why he never misses the Olympics.

[Mori Chu]

The Olympics is the perfect setting for KD. He can have lots of fun with his NBA pals, he can play a bunch of games where he is on a loaded team very likely to win, and he can just sort of play his game and take shots and not really need to lead.

[iLLmatic]

Props to illmatic who immediately said we gave up way too much

Really hated it then, I’m beyond that at this point. Mortgaged our whole future and Booker’s prime for this dude. I’m unsure why he’s considered one of the greatest. He’s a big bitch.

[Mori Chu]

This KD interview on the Draymond Green podcast is wild. He makes it pretty clear that the Suns called him at the trade deadline and asked him if he was okay with being traded to Golden State, but he said no, because he didn't want the Warriors to have to give up so much and disrupt the team in the middle of the season. He says the team is going to trade him in the offseason. Which, I mean, okay, but he's basically saying he wants to minimize the return we get for him in a trade so that his new team isn't hampered by losing so many assets. Groan.

[Split T]

This KD interview on the Draymond Green podcast is wild. He makes it pretty clear that the Suns called him at the trade deadline and asked him if he was okay with being traded to Golden State, but he said no, because he didn't want the Warriors to have to give up so much and disrupt the team in the middle of the season. He says the team is going to trade him in the offseason. Which, I mean, okay, but he's basically saying he wants to minimize the return we get for him in a trade so that his new team isn't hampered by losing so many assets. Groan.

That’s not what I took from what he said. I think it’s the midseason aspect of it. He knows it takes a lot to trade for him and if you do it midseason, it guts your team with very limited options to fill it. I think he’s speaking from experience when we traded for him and he had to start a playoff game with Landry Shamet and Jock Landale.

[Mori Chu]

I think that's splitting hairs. So he wants to wait until the offseason to reduce disruption to his new team, fine. But then he'll be an expiring contract, so his new team won't want to give up with so little security and guarantee that he'll stay. In the end, he wants what a lot of these selfish team-hopping star players want: to go to a new team that is as stacked as possible, had to give up as little as possible to get you, because F your old team.

[Split T]

I guess we will see what the return is. I don’t think him being on an expiring contract will be a huge deal…any team he goes to will give him the extension immediately…I will say that’s why I said it would increase his trade value to extend him…a lot of people on here disagreed with me on that.

Your view on the situation is very pessimistic…I can’t say I blame you, this season has gone so poorly, it’s easy to just expect the worst. I still don’t think KD was implying he wants to force his way out for peanuts to F up his old team. He wants his new team to be able to put a roster together around him.

I do think if we’re expecting anything like we gave up for him that we’ll be majorly dissapointed, but just look at the teams that want him and try to put an offer together. The fact he costs 54 million dollars means these teams have to give us real players back.

Minny: Have to include two of Gobert, Randle, Reid, McDaniels

Dallas: Has to be at least 4 guys and needs to include 2 of Gafford/PJ/Klay

Spurs: Might be the team that could do it the easiest with less salary…not entirely sure their cap situation.

Rockets: Jalen Green is likely the salary match, plus you’d have to add another 10-15 million.

Knicks: Mikal/Hart or KAT would have to be the trade.

[Kryptonic]

I'm fully expecting Ishbia will send out a first pick with KD... Just because. kidding

[Cap]

I'm fully expecting Ishbia will send out a first pick with KD... Just because. kidding

Colangelo once sent out two #1s with Googs’s expiring contract, and I’m not sure why. Was Sarver willing to pay more that way?

[Kryptonic]

I'm fully expecting Ishbia will send out a first pick with KD... Just because. kidding

Colangelo once sent out two #1s with Googs’s expiring contract, and I’m not sure why. Was Sarver willing to pay more that way?

Wasn't Goog's pretty cooked by then? Thought he had a lot of knee issues or something.

[Cap]

I'm fully expecting Ishbia will send out a first pick with KD... Just because. kidding

Colangelo once sent out two #1s with Googs’s expiring contract, and I’m not sure why. Was Sarver willing to pay more that way?

Wasn't Goog's pretty cooked by then? Thought he had a lot of knee issues or something.

He was a cooked expiring contract. As far as I can tell, trading those picks didn’t create cap room or any other assets, it just saved the franchise some money.