Only if they are our own picks. I’m not giving up 3 of our better picks for him. If we were to acquire him, it would really be advantageous to get off Kd for a good SG. Amen, SG, Trey, Jabari, Sengun is a much better 1st team than what we are projecting to run out their right now.
I did forget to work him in. Smith/Turner/Adams Ausar/Eason Durant/Green/Bodgan Herro/Reed/Thornton Amen/Smart Yea, I think that that roster tears it up. probably would be held back by the creativity of the coaches, but I believe that the two twins in the lineup together would be force multiplier.
Houston: Trey Murphy III, D. Robinson, Caris LeVert, Isaiah Joe Detroit: Kevin Durant Pelicans: Fred VanVleet and draft compensation from Detroit and Houston Pelicans get a large expiring and draft capital. Detroit gets their #2 to Cade. Houston gets fantastic piece in Murphy, as well as better shooting all around. Smart / Joe Amen / Sheppard TMIII / Robinson Smith / Eason Sengun / Adams Bogdan and LeVert as quality end-of-bench players.
I think this is actually a realistic scenario. If Detroit really wants KD and the Rockets really want to get off of him this would be a great trade as long as we only had to chip in 1-2 frp’s
Building on this thought.... even tho I personally lean toward keeping KD DET: KD (HOU) Detroit has room to sign leftover top FAs to replace traded players. KD gets his wish to play with Cade. NOP: FVV (HOU) + Caris Levert (DET) + Ron Holland II (DET) + Marcus Sassar (DET) + Chaz Lanier (DET) + 4 FRPs (2027 DET unprotected, 2028 HOU top 5 protected, 2028 pick swap DET, 2029 DET top 5 protected) Pelicans get the haul they want for Trey plus move off Murray's contract. Open up cap space next year. It becomes Zion's team all the way (good or bad). HOU: Dejounte Murray (NOP) + Trey Murphy (NOP) + Paul Reed (DET) Murray - Smart Amen - Reed Trey - Bogi Bari - Tari Alpe - Adams - PReed Half-court: Murray - Smart - Bogi - Bari - Alpe / Adams Run & Fun: Amen - Reed - Trey - Tari - P. Reed Plus you have Capela's contract to trade for some 3rd stringers / role players
Any scenario involving Trey and no more than (2) 1st rd picks and I'm in! FVV money works too straight up!
Really wish we had held on to DFS' contract to be part of bigger trade opportunities... One that I think makes a LOT of sense RN is moving FVV + Capela + 2027 PHX FRP (top 5 protected) to the Pelicans for Dejounte Murray. Murray fits the timeline better and has a good relationship with Ime. Plus with his size (TWSS) you could play him in the backcourt with Reed. Pelliis pick up cap space and could probably arrange a buy out of FVV that lowers his $$$ owed. I would also hope Stone was able to finagle Matkovic away from Pellies as a backup stretch 4 as part of the deal.
I used to be a fan of Murray but my understanding over the last couple of seasons is he is more of a liability on the court. That said I think he would be better than nothing which is what we have had.
I brought this up before but after marinating on the options, I think if we want leadership and someone closer to the timeline and who would be in the realm of Durant, I would have to go with Pascal Siakam. That dude fits Ime's style of play defensively plus, can stretch the floor. He is a natural PF but can slide to both the SF and C based on matchups. With Halliburton back, they should be ready to contend again. I say, Durant and 1 2027 pick for Siakam, or hell, just a straight up swap. Starters VanVleet(until further notice) Sheppard ready? Thompson Smith Jr Siakam Sengun
No idea, but don't know why any team would not want to capitalize on the opportunity to add Durant. As they say, you can plug him into any offense (except ours, cause it doesn't exist) and he fits without having to alter the game plan.
I doubt it. I think they believe they have a team that will contend. It’s basically the same team that took them to the Finals and almost won it all. They should run it back and make necessary improvements at the deadline.
