Kevin Durant to be traded this offseason by Suns per Brian Windhorst

The contract is only 2 years though.

If we didn't have to give up much, he'd be amazing - lethal shooter who provides a limited amount of weakside rim protection. He'd thrive with Amen and Tari and Jabari as the 'length squad"

It's like a window opportunity without compromising the "next" window (ie when our young guys are now young vets)

 

Rockets acquire [Durant’s new team] picks, return Suns picks to Phoenix



The team that bets against Kevin Durant, not the one that acquires him, are the ones that succeed long term. — Not Daryl Morey

Spoiler

Warriors, Wolves, Grizz, Heat had reported deadline interest … Mavs? Bucks? Clippers? Knicks? Magic? Spurs?

$54M expiring

 

I'm expecting a 1st or 2nd round exit--it's fine. It's just the next step up the ladder for us. Our young guys have to experience that. I don't believe we'd go to the promised land with an end-of-his-career KD anyway. I think we'd get bounced in the second round or WCF.

Honestly, as much as I hate to say and it would kinda suck for the league for a year or two--the team that should trade for him is OKC, especially if they somehow get knocked out during the playoffs this season. Complete the circle, bring him home to retire where he was drafted, get him and the organization a near-guaranteed ring. They have enough draft picks that they wouldn't miss giving up a couple for him. Send over Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe, sign a center with the MLE.

Would probably also be a better scenario for us than trading for him ourselves. Thins out OKC a little bit for after KD retires. But it does make sense for them--as good as they are, I don't think it's a lock they win it all, they still don't have much playoff experience or a guy I'd truly trust as the #2 option in the NBA Finals. With KD, they're as close to a guaranteed win as I've seen since... well, since KD joined the Warriors.

 

He'll be a Knick with Brunson

Because the NBA needs him there.

 

It’s very risky trading for Durant at his age. Players don’t slowly, gradually decline. When it happens, it’s a quick and sudden drop off in production within an offseason.

He could go from averaging 26 ppg, to 20 ppg next season.

 

I’ll take the KD at 20 ppg if it does not cost us a whole lot. If he has anything left in his tank, we should go deep in the playoffs with him as a closer.

 

38 isn't the same today like it was years ago.

I believe we will see more athletes continue to ball towards theirs 40s

New technology is allowing this

 

He ain't no closer. Pffffff. Russell Westbrook always took the last shot.

 

Stone better not bail out PHX like he did w the Nets by giving them picks back.

 

Some of our guys need new addresses, they are not going to get playing time in Houston.

Cam, Reed.....are two.....

Might be those two and a couple of picks.

DD

 

It is the Twitter trade wars he has been engaged in.

 

Of course but he tore some parts completely otherwise he would have been even better.

I do not recall Lebron suffering that kind of injury.

 

I would take that , but would Dillion or FFV required by salary?

 

I ain’t trading any picks for KD, take Cam and Dillon Brooks, otherwise it’s a no.

 

They just want picks if trading Durant

 

I’d move Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard or Cam Whitmore before I ever made Tari Eason a centerpiece of a Durant trade. Eason is a winning player simply because of his activity on defense.

 

Does KD come with a Time Machine in a trade?

The guy is old enough to be Cam Whitmore’s dad.

I’m passing on the senior citizens.

For fun: KD and Harden and Westbrook should all play together again.

 

People don’t understand how much he’s declined. They just see the name and pay no attention to the impact. The guy who slaughtered giannis in 2021 is loooooong gone.

 

I don't think so. I was just ready to do it at the deadline because it would mean no expectations to win it this season while we build chemistry. Then I projected we'd have 2 shots at the title with him. After that we would be championship quality even if we let him walk, because our core will be near 25 years old finally.

Both the Suns and Rockets are stupid for not making this deal. We would be sitting in 2nd seed right now and frankly would fancy our chances against anyone in the playoffs except Denver. Yes including OKC who would not be able to match our experience with KD/FVV championship experience on board as key players.

I don't care if he won't average offensive all star calibre statistics for the next two years. I know for a fact that for the next 2 years on defense, offense, preparation habits and mental toughness he would bring a greater overall impact to this team than some young scorer who made an all star game. The self-discipline he would actually execute - rather than constantly preach about - would be priceless for the young guys. OKC's number one problem is a dearth of playoff experience. They don't want to face a team with FVV at PG and KD at PF surrounded by 3 elite young talents and a coach who has made it father in the playoffs than theirs (champion as assistant/player, Finals as HC).

The first season you acquire a superstar is a throwaway year. You have to assume you could do everything right and chemistry or role playing parts could screw the plan up. Throwing away this half season to that would have been great. It was a very unique situation because I estimate he has this season and 2 more to be a meaningful player and potential FMVP in a Finals series.

Please don't tell me about his age unless you're saying Durant can't possibly win a FMVP in the next 2 years. I don't believe he can't do that. If you're after regular season production, he's not your guy. I don't think we are in desperate need of regular season production, we seem to be a 50-win team when healthy and without him. He's more than enough to move us into that 55-60 range even if he declines significantly. We don't need a person who's still trying to prove themselves. We need an FMVP candidate more than we need an MVP candidate if that makes sense.

Now though I feel it's too late. Next season would be a throwaway, we'd have to get chemistry and tweak role players and that gives us only one title shot with him the following season. That would be worth very little and that's why I said the Suns are stupid too. Trading KD was the right move last year. Now they're not going to get enough out of trading him to fix the rest of the situation. IMO at best they'll get 2-3 mediocre picks and maybe a starter, if that.

I would offer them:

Brooks +
our worst-developing prospect +
2 protected Rockets picks or 1 unprotected Rockets pick.

That's not the opening offer, that's the final offer and I would still feel nervous about it. Doubt they go for it but we'll see.

DO NOT spend assets on Booker FFS. It's clear he doesn't have 4-5 picks worth of net impact on the court otherwise their floor would be much higher.

 

We understand how much he's declined. That's not it.