Marc Stein: Spurs want in on Durant hunt, too

[Uriel]

The (http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/4473/spurs-want-in-on-durant-hunt-too)Kevin Durant (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant) sweepstakes understandably haven't quite cranked up yet, just a few days into May, but they do share one notable trait at this embryonic stage with the rest of the NBA's 2015-16 season.

The Golden State Warriors (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors), whenever Durant's future does come up, have been getting most of the attention so far.

When it comes to listing teams capable of stealing Durant away from the franchise he's helped build into a perennial power -- and from the fiercely proud and protective state that treasures him as one of its own -- almost every list out there has Warriors at or near the top.

Just be sure to remember the following when you're watching Durant, Russell Westbrook (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3468/russell-westbrook) and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder) play host to the San Antonio Spurs (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs) this weekend in a pivotal Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday:

The stately Spurs, league sources say, are just as intrigued as Golden State by the thought of making a run at Durant come July 1.

As rough as the regular season was at times for the Thunder, amid a rash of a blown fourth-quarter leads and the tragic circumstances that snatched popular assistant coach Monty Williams from OKC's bench, ‎Durant largely succeeded in his mission coming into the campaign to hush talk about his looming free agency as much as he could. We're a mere 55 days away now from one of the game's consensus top-five players hitting the open market, but the bulk of the discourse to date has focused on the teams planning to chase him as opposed to Durant's presumed leanings.

Yet OKC suddenly can't get through a single playoff game without being confronted by a foe playing for more than the mere W. As our own Zach Lowe also warned you in this series set-up piece (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15429149/the-spurs-thunder-meet-yet-another-epic-playoff-showdown), when he wrote of the Spurs "quietly discussing what kind of cap gymnastics it would take to get into the Durant derby," standard postseason pressure is only a fraction of the burden weighing on the Thunder, even after they managed to rebound from a Game 1 no-show in San Antonio by stealing Game 2 on the road.

As well as Durant and his close-knit tandem of representatives, Rich Kleiman and Charlie Bell, have done in terms of keeping their intentions mysterious, there is a working assumption among KD's would-be suitors that a second-round Thunder exit essentially cinches the notion that he'll indeed walk away and look for the best external situation that positions him to win that elusive first championship.

The theory (stress: theory) also holds that OKC success in this round against the 67-win Spurs would be enough, no matter what happens in a presumed Western Conference finals showdown with the Warriors, to convince Durant, at the very least, to sign a new two-year deal with Oklahoma City ‎that contains a player option for Year 2. Going that route would thus allow Durant to not only give himself one more chance to win that breakthrough title in Thunder colors but also return to free agency in the summer of 2017 eligible for a contract that could be up to $40 million richer and do so alongside Westbrook, who'll likewise have the opportunity to be aggressively courted by the masses for the first time after next season.

"That's probably one of the first times I've heard that one," Durant told us in February when our ESPN Radio team had the chance to sit down with him at All-Star Weekend in Toronto and ask about a short-term deal with the Thunder.

"I haven't thought about contracts or free agency or none of that stuff at all really. ... I haven't thought about that one. I guess I have to."

What seems certain, at this juncture, is that the forthcoming salary-cap spike that's projected to take the cap ceiling beyond the $90 million threshold for 2016-17 and into the unprecedented stratosphere of nine figures for 2017-18 gives elite free agents all kinds of unforeseen options ... while hurting the Thunder as much as any team on the map. The spike is going to be so drastic that both the Warriors and the Spurs, if they're willing to shed key contributors from their respective current cores, have undeniable avenues to manufacture the requisite cap space to try to marry Durant with their existing stars.

In Golden State's case, of course, rumblings about the Warriors' intent to pursue that very trail come July 1 have been circulating as far back as November, even without any overt encouragement from Durant. There were whispers, going back to the Warriors' ridiculous 24-0 start, about the bond Golden State stalwarts Steph Curry and Andre Iguodala (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2386/andre-iguodala) formed with KD when all three were teammates on an unproven Team USA squad way back in 2010 that won the FIBA World Championship in Turkey that summer. There's been a quiet yet unmistakable belief in the Bay Area, all season long, that the combined draw of those relationships and the Warriors' stunning rise over the past 18 months to become the NBA's it team would give them a chance -- perhaps even the league's best chance -- of luring Durant away from the only franchise he's ever known. Even if it means parting ways with the promising Harrison Barnes (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6578/harrison-barnes). And presumably more.

The Spurs, though, are said to have harbored similar fantasies for months in their famously stealthy manner. As with Golden State, San Antonio won't have close to max cap room to spend without a willingness to lose multiple members from its Boris Diaw (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2167/boris-diaw)/Danny Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3988/danny-green)/Patty Mills (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills) supporting cast. Yet you'll recall how swiftly the Spurs jettisoned Tiago Splitter (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3233/tiago-splitter) last summer when the opportunity arose to sign LaMarcus Aldridge (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge).

Is it fair to describe the Warriors or the Spurs as likely destinations for the game's most feared pure scorer?

Is Durant truly prepared to be branded as the biggest bandwagon-hopper of all time by ‎bolting the Thunder for an established championship outfit that, in either case, would make LeBron James (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james)' formation of a superteam on South Beach in the summer of 2010 seem almost modest by comparison?

Only KD and his closest confidants know.

The sure thing, at this stage, is that the Spurs -- like the Warriors -- are primed for the chase. Like Pat Riley and the Miami Heat (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/mia/miami-heat) last summer with Aldridge, San Antonio wants to book the face-to-face chance to pitch Durant in early July 1 ... and then worry about where the cap space comes from.

These are, after all, the new Spurs. After shunning big-ticket free agency for more than a decade in the wake of their unsuccessful run at Jason Kidd in the summer of 2003, Gregg Popovich was positively Riley-esque last summer in his pursuit of Aldridge to partner with Kawhi Leonard (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6450/kawhi-leonard) and set them up as co-heirs to the two decades of elite basketball sustained with Tim Duncan (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/215/tim-duncan) as the Spurs' focal point.

It would be premature to suggest that any team apart from the Thunder is in the Durant lead at the minute. Nor is anyone claiming that the Warriors and Spurs are the only two threats to OKC.

All signs continue to point to Washington, Miami, Boston, Houston, New York and naturally both of the L.A. teams doing everything they can to romance Durant as if he were coming out of Montrose Christian School in Maryland all over again.

You can likewise rest assured more known threats will emerge as free-agent season draws closer.

The lure of a move to the more forgiving Eastern Conference, as well as the very real prospect of Durant ultimately deciding on his own that the Warriors or Spurs are simply too good without him to attach himself now, serve as realistic counters to the idea that the two clubs immediately in Oklahoma City's postseason path should be the Thunder's two biggest concerns.

The Thunder could also complicate things in a thoroughly beneficial manner to their own cause by beating San Antonio three more times, ensuring themselves a follow-up shot to then stun Golden State in the next round, which would only give No. 35 tons more to think about. With Durant serving as a true pioneer in planting big-time pro sports in the region, Oklahoma City sports a winning percentage of .616 since KD and Russ first joined forces in the 2008-09, bettered only by San Antonio (.714) and Miami (.623) in the NBA and, purely for discussion purposes, matched by not a single team in Major League Baseball in the same span.

Just consider much of the above another one of those not-so-gentle Don't Sleep On The Spurs reminders that are still strangely necessary in Year 19 of the Pop-&-Timmy Show.

And if you think it would somehow scare them to try to find room in the same offense for Durant, Leonard and the increasingly dominant Aldridge ...

Don't bother.

As one rival GM half-jokingly told me this week, immediately haunted by picturing what those three could be capable of in the midst of the NBA's small ball revolution: "Because they'd win every game."
(http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/4473/spurs-want-in-on-durant-hunt-too)
http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/4473/spurs-want-in-on-durant-hunt-too

[peacemaker885]

All of this Durant speculations, if true, does it mean that PATFO isn't confident about KL's offense? I mean even GS only has one or two players break out every game offensively.

[I. Hustle]

All of this Durant speculations, if true, does it mean that PATFO isn't confident about KL's offense? I mean even GS only has one or two players break out every game offensively.

Either that ooorrrrr all teams will go after an all star caliber player if they have the opportunity to better their team.

[tmtcsc]

I wonder how KL would take it. Would Leonard move to the 2 guard position and have Durant at 3?

[Keepin' it real]

Either that ooorrrrr all teams will go after an all star caliber player if they have the opportunity to better their team.

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/59745560.jpg

[T Park]

All of this Durant speculations, if true, does it mean that PATFO isn't confident about KL's offense? I mean even GS only has one or two players break out every game offensively.



I'd say it means they want to build a juggernaut

[houston spurs fan]

No thanks.

[jsandiego]

At worst, it's great media fodder to leak that the Spurs are "interested" in Durant right before we start a series against him. We know he reads the papers and that kind of stuff can get in his head.

[spursistan]

this shit is getting serious :lol

[spursistan]

728617542424666113

when KD/Pop sit in the same room..

[.G.]

Thank Pop/RC/Holt for creating this culture. So many players now praise what "they do down there in SA" and they seem genuinely eager to play for Master Popovich lol

It's so fitting of the way things are done in SA, stone cutter chiseling away and all. All those blows that came before have led up to this moment where players now look to SA for greener pastures.

Another fun summer coming up.

[.G.]

Spurs fans have to feel confident about that inevitable sit down come July.

[spursistan]

For someone nicknamed "The Servant" I see Durant more pliable to Pop talk than the dithering Lamarcus "you know...my shots", "you know..face of franchise".."you know..don't want play center.." Aldridge...

[Seventyniner]

The last quote of the article says it all. If Durant wants to come, especially on a 4-year contract that will be much lower than the max he could get in 2017, you do it first and figure out the rest later. Dump whoever is necessary. Danny would be the first to go; he would no longer be a starter.

In 2017 the Spurs would have about $70M of a possibly $108M cap devoted to the new big 3 (Durant 29, Aldridge 21.5, Kawhi 19). If the Spurs can get enough value players like Boban, Simmons, West, it wouldn't be too hard to upgrade the roster even further.

Also, Zach Lowe said last summer that the Spurs would be terrifying if they got Aldridge. He was right.

[TheRemix]

In on the 100 page thread

[TheGreatYacht]

All these goody two shoe Spurs fans don't want stars because of the fake "Built not bought" motto the media has placed on us :lol

Guess what, the built got old. It's time to adapt to the times. Teams have scouts overseas now, so a Parker or Ginobili won't ever fall to us again.

It was the same thing with some of y'all last year when we were linked with Lamarcus, and I think the fit is pretty fucking good so far.

[TheDoctor]

All of this Durant speculations, if true, does it mean that PATFO isn't confident about KL's offense? I mean even GS only has one or two players break out every game offensively.

https://media.giphy.com/media/zjQrmdlR9ZCM/giphy.gif

[TheGreatYacht]

Zach Lowe, check
Marc Stein, check
Bleacher Report, check
Sports Illustrated, check
Real GM, check
728620713347829760
728628188906053632

This is a real thing. Offseason is gonna be exciting tbh

[TheDoctor]

All these goody two shoe Spurs fans don't want stars because of the fake "Built not bought" motto the media has placed on us :lol

Guess what, the built got old. It's time to adapt to the times. Teams have scouts overseas now, so a Parker or Ginobili won't ever fall to us again.

It was the same thing with some of y'all last year when we were linked with Lamarcus, and I think the fit is pretty fucking good so far.

But, but he says idiot in a live press conference.

[TheGreatYacht]

But, but he says idiot in a live press conference.
:lol

Can't wait for the "but, but he's a playoff choker that never won anything" takes that they used on Lamarcus

:cry the beautiful game :cry
:cry built not bought :cry

[hater]

July 4, 2015 - Spurs sign Lamarcus Aldridge

July 4, 2016 - Spurs sign Kevin Durant

[RD2191]

KD is a faggot tbh. But at the end of the day I think the Spurs are finally getting the recognition and respect that they deserve. If Durant signs here then the Spurs earned every bit of future success that KD will bring.

[hater]

KD is a faggot tbh. But at the end of the day I think the Spurs are finally getting the recognition and respect that they deserve. If Durant signs here then the Spurs earned every bit of future success that KD will bring.

Didn't u call Lamar us a faggot.too? Faggot :lol

[spursistan]

All these goody two shoe Spurs fans don't want stars because of the fake "Built not bought" motto the media has placed on us :lol

Guess what, the built got old. It's time to adapt to the times. Teams have scouts overseas now, so a Parker or Ginobili won't ever fall to us again.

It was the same thing with some of y'all last year when we were linked with Lamarcus, and I think the fit is pretty fucking good so far.

but..but..but...Splitter's D/screens :cry...dude in fucking street clothes while his team getting torn a new one by the Cavs.. :lmao..

like you said, worry about the fit later when a one time league MVP wants to join...Assuming TIM/Manu retire, every player on the roster bar Kawhi/LMA is dumpable (Parker won't be because of his contract).

Spurs will eventually endure lean times..it happens to all franchises..we need to make the most of upcoming years when Kawhi hits his peak...San Antonio won't be the same when Pop retires after 2020 Olympics; when our draft day luck runs out; when other teams scouts, who nowadays happen to have passports, are the ones who stumble upon the next TP/Manu :lol..

[RD2191]

Didn't u call Lamar us a faggot.too? Faggot :lol

He is a faggot tbh, just like you.

[r0drig0lac]

"Because they'd win every game."

[TheGreatYacht]

but..but..but...Splitter's D/screens :cry...dude in fucking street clothes while his team getting torn a new one by the Cavs.. :lmao..

like you said, worry about the fit later when a one time league MVP wants to join...Assuming TIM/Manu retire, every player on the roster bar Kawhi/LMA is dumpbable (Parker won't be because of his contract).

Spurs will eventually endure lean times..it happens to all franchises..we need to make the most of upcoming years when Kawhi hits his peak...San Antonio won't be the same when Pop retires after 2020 Olympics; when our draft day luck runs out; when other teams scouts, who nowadays happen to have passports, are the ones who stumble upon the next TP/Manu :lol..
^
This guy, he gets it tbh :tu

[timtonymanu]

Marc Stein also said Spurs were the #1 priority for Aldridge even before the offseason began. This seems legit.

[spursistan]

Marc Stein also said Spurs were the #1 priority for Aldridge even before the offseason began. This seems legit.
if this came out from Frank Isola/chris Sheridan types who are constantly throwing stuff on the wall i would have called for these threads to be locked instantly...Clearly something about this story percolating among high league/team executives that Stein/Lowe are starting to hear about from their sources..

[Chinook]

People are making too much of wondering what Kawhi thinks about this. If this were like KG and Duncan, we'd know by now. While I do think Leonard would care about touches, I don't think he'd be upset with being the third option behind two great scorers. And he'd instantly be the best two-guard in the game. Only issue I think that would occur is that his rebounding would go down with him playing more on the perimeter.

I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn to get something like this:

Calderon, Mills, Pick
Leonard, $4-Million guard, Simmons
Durant, Anderson, Bertans
Aldridge, Diaw, LJC
O'Quinn, Boban, Lalanne

[spursistan]

People are making too much of wondering what Kawhi thinks about this. If this were like KG and Duncan, we'd know by now. While I do think Leonard would care about touches, I don't think he'd be upset with being the third option behind two great scorers. And he'd instantly be the best two-guard in the game. Only issue I think that would occur is that his rebounding would go down with him playing more on the perimeter.

I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn to get something like this:

Calderon, Mills, Pick
Leonard, $4-Million guard, Simmons
Durant, Anderson, Bertans
Aldridge, Diaw, LJC
O'Quinn, Boban, Lalanne

I'm still flabbergasted by the anatomy of that Parker contract extension.. RC and co. are too smart to merely hand a "thank you" deal in the afterglow of a championship..i think they couldn't foresee a permanent decline and simply thought he would be rebounding from down year a la Duncan 2011.

[313]

:lol PATFO doing Kawhi dirty

:pop: "This is your team now Kawhi"

*proceeds to recruit two alphas to take his touches away :lmao

He's going to spend his prime as a third option :lol

Smart move by PATFO tbh

[DAF86]

People are making too much of wondering what Kawhi thinks about this. If this were like KG and Duncan, we'd know by now. While I do think Leonard would care about touches, I don't think he'd be upset with being the third option behind two great scorers. And he'd instantly be the best two-guard in the game. Only issue I think that would occur is that his rebounding would go down with him playing more on the perimeter.

I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn to get something like this:

Calderon, Mills, Pick
Leonard, $4-Million guard, Simmons
Durant, Anderson, Bertans
Aldridge, Diaw, LJC
O'Quinn, Boban, Lalanne

And why do you think he would be that?

[DJR210]

Obviously it's ridiculously early to speculate, but the last time we tried to court a FA at a position we had solidified, Parker got butthurt and voiced his opinion to the media about being "the PG".. Kawhi is really a quiet dude, but I wonder if he would feel threatened assuming the Spurs do in fact pursue Durant..

[Chinook]

And why do you think he would be that?

Durant's the best scorer of the three, and LMA getting his touches is good for keeping the other teams honest. I would think Kawhi and Durant post-ups would become situational, so both of them would hopefully be getting their shots off kick-outs -- especially if Diaw is still a Spur.

[Chinook]

Obviously it's ridiculously early to speculate, but the last time we tried to court a FA at a position we had solidified, Parker got butthurt and voiced his opinion to the media about being "the PG".. Kawhi is really a quiet dude, but I wonder if he would feel threatened assuming the Spurs do in fact pursue Durant..

It's not remotely the same thing. He and Durant can easily play next to each other, whereas Parker and Kidd would have been an awkward fit. It would be like if LMA got upset from the Spurs chasing Horford.

[DAF86]

Durant's the best scorer of the three, and LMA getting his touches is good for keeping the other teams honest. I would think Kawhi and Durant post-ups would become situational, so both of them would hopefully be getting their shots off kick-outs -- especially if Diaw is still a Spur.

Kawhi would probably still get more shots than LA, tbh. Maybe even more than Durant because of a matter of seniority. Either way, I think it would be a 1a, 1b, 1c scenario. Not much separation between the three.

[DJR210]

It's not remotely the same thing. He and Durant can easily play next to each other, whereas Parker and Kidd would have been an awkward fit. It would be like if LMA got upset from the Spurs chasing Horford.

Of course it's possible.. but how can we know how Kawhi will take the news?

[Chinook]

Of course it's possible.. but how can we know how Kawhi will take the news?

Honestly, you'd have to rethink Kawhi as the face of the franchise if he's going to be refusing great players because of his ego. You'd just have to. I can understand refusing a single player you have beef with. But if he develops into something between Rose and Kobe as far as his attitude toward other players goes, it'd wreck the franchise.

This is totally sacrilege, completely hypothetical and absolutely not what I want, but if Kawhi pulled some "I'm the star of the Spurs. There shall not be any before me," crap while KD agreed to sign a full deal, I'd move him for the best PG/Big combo, dump Parker and role with the roster. KD and LMA alone are enough to win the West with a good supporting cast. Give them another star and they would win a lot.

Again, I don't believe Kawhi is like that, hope the Spurs don't have to worry about that and was merely speaking hypothetically. But Kawhi's not above the team. I'm glad he knows that, but it seems some fans don't.

[NameLess Scrub]

How would the Spurs even pay and how would they even make Kawhi/Durant work?

Is any of them willing to come off the bench, or can change position, or can even play off the other?

Not trolling, how would you guys think that would work?

[FvckMavs]

How would the Spurs even pay and how would they even make Kawhi/Durant work?

Is any of them willing to come off the bench, or can change position, or can even play off the other?

Not trolling, how would you guys think that would work?

If he wants to come, you just get it done first. And think about whether it will work later.

[Chinook]

How would the Spurs even pay and how would they even make Kawhi/Durant work?

Is any of them willing to come off the bench, or can change position, or can even play off the other?

Not trolling, how would you guys think that would work?

There have been about a half-dozen threads about the money part. The short version is that they can cut Diaw and move Green or Parker while letting the oldies and probably Boban walk.

On the court, it would be like Wade and Lebron, but with both being excellent outside shooters. The only issue would be if Parker is kept, as he doesn't fit that lineup. Literally a guy like Beverly or Bradley would be ideal. Because of that shooting, Aldridge would be able to still play his game. It would slant whoever replaces Duncan, as you'd hope for someone with a better outside shot.

[BillMc]

Honestly, you'd have to rethink Kawhi as the face of the franchise if he's going to be refusing great players because of his ego. You'd just have to. I can understand refusing a single player you have beef with. But if he develops into something between Rose and Kobe as far as his attitude toward other players goes, it'd wreck the franchise.

This is totally sacrilege, completely hypothetical and absolutely not what I want, but if Kawhi pulled some "I'm the star of the Spurs. There shall not be any before me," crap while KD agreed to sign a full deal, I'd move him for the best PG/Big combo, dump Parker and role with the roster. KD and LMA alone are enough to win the West with a good supporting cast. Give them another star and they would win a lot.

Again, I don't believe Kawhi is like that, hope the Spurs don't have to worry about that and was merely speaking hypothetically. But Kawhi's not above the team. I'm glad he knows that, but it seems some fans don't.

Truthfully, if you believe the rumors out of Portland, LMA would be the one more likely to be threatened by other superstars. That said, I've seen no evidence of such behavior on the Spurs. LMA is 30, he'll be 31 soon. He knows his prime isn't going to last forever. I'm sure he'd welcome anyone that helps him get a ring. He's probably a lock for the HOF if he gets one.

[DAF86]

There have been about a half-dozen threads about the money part. The short version is that they can cut Diaw and move Green or Parker while letting the oldies and probably Boban walk.

On the court, it would be like Wade and Lebron, but with both being excellent outside shooters. The only issue would be if Parker is kept, as he doesn't fit that lineup. Literally a guy like Beverly or Bradley would be ideal. Because of that shooting, Aldridge would be able to still play his game. It would slant whoever replaces Duncan, as you'd hope for someone with a better outside shot.

Yep. If by some miracle Durant joins the Spurs, the most reasonable thing to do would be getting rid of Tony, tbh.

[Chinook]

Truthfully, if you believe the rumors out of Portland, LMA would more likely to be threatened by other superstars. That said, I've seen no evidence of such behavior on the Spurs. LMA is 30, he'll be 31 soon. He knows his prime isn't going to last forever. I'm sure he'd welcome anyone that helps him get a ring. He's probably a lock for the HOF if he gets one.

I don't think anyone would be a problem. Pop might even be able to convince him to save his energy for the playoffs. It's possible it ends up not working out, but I think if it got so far as KD wanting to sign, there wouldn't be any objections.

[NameLess Scrub]

If he wants to come, you just get it done first. And think about whether it will work later.

I get the approach. I just think we can discuss it here anyway.


There have been about a half-dozen threads about the money part. The short version is that they can cut Diaw and move Green or Parker while letting the oldies and probably Boban walk.

On the court, it would be like Wade and Lebron, but with both being excellent outside shooters. The only issue would be if Parker is kept, as he doesn't fit that lineup. Literally a guy like Beverly or Bradley would be ideal. Because of that shooting, Aldridge would be able to still play his game. It would slant whoever replaces Duncan, as you'd hope for someone with a better outside shot.

Except Wade and Lebron, while seeming like repeated talent, at least played different positions.
I don't see any of them playing a different position without giving away speed or strength mismatches.

It'd be good to know how people visualize they would do at the 2 or the 4. I love Durant's offensive power as much as anyone, but I wonder how the team could adjust to such scenario.

With Aldridge that wasn't a problem since Timmy was already old and able to play like a Center or complement Aldridge anyway.

[look_at_g_shred]

So does everyone assume Danny is the odd one out?

[Chinook]

Except Wade and Lebron, while seeming like repeated talent, at least played different positions.


This isn't a big deal. Kawhi and Green are like an inch apart. Kawhi can totally play the two. He just doesn't right now. Kawhi plays the three like a two. He can guard twos. If anything, Lebron and Wade (and Bosh) all played the same position, which was the high post triple-threat position. That's much more awkward than what Durant and Leonard would have to do.

[Chinook]

So does everyone assume Danny is the odd one out?

I would hope he isn't, but he would be the odd one out of the starting lineup in any event.

[DPG21920]

I would hope he isn't, but he would be the odd one out of the starting lineup in any event.

Then he would be in for the Spurs death unit of PG/Green/Kawhi/KD/LMA

[DPG21920]

I love free agency, the draft & trade deadlines. However, not as much as playoff basketball. I give not two f*cks about anything other than destroying OKC right now. I'm not even remotely excited at the thought of Durant on SA because I don't care about anything other than SA destroying them tonight.

Game day, Bala.

[nowitzkikopf]

Zach Lowe, check
Marc Stein, check
Bleacher Report, check
Sports Illustrated, check
Real GM, check
728620713347829760
728628188906053632

This is a real thing. Offseason is gonna be exciting tbh

tony gives some of the most charming interviews out there tbqh

[Kawhitstorm]

People are making too much of wondering what Kawhi thinks about this. If this were like KG and Duncan, we'd know by now. While I do think Leonard would care about touches, I don't think he'd be upset with being the third option behind two great scorers. And he'd instantly be the best two-guard in the game. Only issue I think that would occur is that his rebounding would go down with him playing more on the perimeter.

I think Kawhi would be fine playing the KG role w/ LMA/KD being Allen/Pierce. That's the role he's most comfortable in right now anyways it's just that the Spurs don't have a third 20ppg scorer on the roster.


I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn to get something like this:

Calderon, Mills, Pick
Leonard, $4-Million guard, Simmons
Durant, Anderson, Bertans
Aldridge, Diaw, LJC
O'Quinn, Boban, Lalanne

Calderon/Mills would be a disastrous backcourt as far as defense is concerned & Porker isn't the type of PG that Phil Jackson wants running the triangle. It's not like the Knicks have any young legit PGs that Porker could mentor & Melo/Porker/Porzingis are on different timelines.:lol

Jeff Teague is DEFINITELY going to be moved over the summer so if PATFO also want to move Danny to create cap space then they can package Porker/Danny/Diaw(won't be much of a need w/ KD) for Teague/Tiago/Thabo(insurance on D). (Hawks should have plenty of cap space considering Horford is going to be a FA)

Porker goes back to the system he flourished in & can mentor Schroder while Danny will replace the declining Korver. If they lose Horford then they can sign a legit big & use Diaw for small-ball which Bud adores otherwise they can dump his partially guaranteed contract.

Tiago is a gamble but he would have to pass the physical & Boban/West would have to be retained. Considering that KD/Kawhi can play the 4 they would mitigate the lack of depth as far as starting Bigs are concerned.

Teague/Patty/GP II
Kawhi/Thabo/Simmons
KD/Fat Head/Bertans
LMA/West/Leuer
Tiago/Boban/?

[TheDoctor]

but..but..but...Splitter's D/screens :cry...dude in fucking street clothes while his team getting torn a new one by the Cavs.. :lmao...


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[apalisoc_9]

People are making too much of wondering what Kawhi thinks about this. If this were like KG and Duncan, we'd know by now. While I do think Leonard would care about touches, I don't think he'd be upset with being the third option behind two great scorers. And he'd instantly be the best two-guard in the game. Only issue I think that would occur is that his rebounding would go down with him playing more on the perimeter.

I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn to get something like this:

Calderon, Mills, Pick
Leonard, $4-Million guard, Simmons
Durant, Anderson, Bertans
Aldridge, Diaw, LJC
O'Quinn, Boban, Lalanne

As good as your offseason offebsive prediction last year :lmao

Danny Green 15ppg :lmao

[SAGirl]

So does everyone assume Danny is the odd one out?
His position is the one to be replaced and he's not a bench player. His defense gets wasted in the bench and he's not a 6th man type. His contract is also easier to move.

[baseline bum]

All of this Durant speculations, if true, does it mean that PATFO isn't confident about KL's offense? I mean even GS only has one or two players break out every game offensively.

I think it means the Spurs would love to add a first ballot hall of famer in his prime, like every other team in the league would.

[baseline bum]

I mean that wouldn't suck to have two of Leonard, Durant, and Aldridge on the floor at all times.

[sexinthatsx]

:lol PATFO doing Kawhi dirty

:pop: "This is your team now Kawhi"

*proceeds to recruit two alphas to take his touches away :lmao

He's going to spend his prime as a third option :lol

Smart move by PATFO tbh

So you think Manu and Tony Parker took touches away from Duncan? Did you think Duncan was going to win championships without Tony and Manu?
I can guarantee you that any objection from Kawhi over Durant whatsoever will result in Durant not coming to the Spurs.

[InRareForm]

we have a fuckin playoff series to play... wtf with this

[YGWHI]

The only issue would be if Parker is kept, as he doesn't fit that lineup....I don't see how anyone could defend Parker over Green. I can certainly see trading Danny with Durant in the fold, but with such limited roster space, you simply can't have Tony taking up that much room for being a fourth option who doesn't play defense and is a reluctant shooter. Move him for a package like Calderon and O'Quinn
Unrealistic.

The Spurs won't trade Parker, that won't happen.

Pop's loyalty to the Big 3 will give him what he wants, and he said he wants to retire as a Spur.

Can't imagine a scenario where they trade Parker.

[random21]

BEAT HIM, THEN SIGN HIM IN JULY...........

[dabom]

As good as your offseason offebsive prediction last year :lmao

Danny Green 15ppg :lmao

:lol

[MI21]

I mean that wouldn't suck to have two of Leonard, Durant, and Aldridge on the floor at all times.

Nah man, rest them all to start the 4th :pop:

[tholdren]

KD is a faggot tbh. But at the end of the day I think the Spurs are finally getting the recognition and respect that they deserve. If Durant signs here then the Spurs earned every bit of future success that KD will bring.

[Cklbmk]

i dont see why we couldn't just small ball it against most teams with a lineup like

Mills-Green-Kawhi-Durant-Aldridge.

Rotate in a Boban when needed. Or maybe just run Kyle Anderson at PG and let Green/Kawhi take the harder assignments. They all have great length

[TheGreatYacht]

^ Vending Machine Head will be gone for a bag of chips.

[TheDoctor]

Pop sleuthed. KD to Spurs confirmed tbh.


You can say the same about Kevin Durant,
he's a heck of a player


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Basically, he puts KL and KD as equals. Elite tier. Very clever use of words Pop.

[Stabula]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

[Mnky]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

:lol

[TheDoctor]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.
:lmao

"Pokemon! Gotta chatch'em all"

[dbreiden83080]

BEAT HIM, THEN SIGN HIM IN JULY...........

A player of his caliber going Ring hunting for a better situation is pathetic.. He needs to stay put and make it work in his original city with his original team.

[Stabula]

I don't even want Durant. I mean yeah he's a gifted scorer but idk just too faggoty

[TheDoctor]

A player of his caliber going Ring hunting for a better situation is pathetic.. He needs to stay put and make it work in his original city with his original team.

Hmm, there are rules for what a player wants to do with his life/work or are you just expressing your opinion?

[BillMc]

Pop sleuthed. KD to Spurs confirmed tbh.




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Basically, he puts KL and KD as equals. Elite tier. Very clever use of words Pop.

Thanks for posting this.

[random21]

A player of his caliber going Ring hunting for a better situation is pathetic.. He needs to stay put and make it work in his original city with his original team.

Lebron comes to mind too.... Used that superteam for 2 rings... Durant can do the same

[spursparker9]

Having KD will only hinder Kawhi growth.

[K...]

Having KD will only hinder Kawhi growth.

This is just a base opinion. First kawhi is already MVP level. You mean specifically it will prevent Leonard from being molded into a point forward by limiting his touches. There's no reason he can't learn to dribble drive in the off season and sometimes you just live with that when it means accommodating teammates. Our offense would be stupid efficient with three all star caliber starters.

[noles1983]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

:lol :lol :lol

[baseline bum]

we have a fuckin playoff series to play... wtf with this

Pop hasn't been playing me, so I have time to post in this thread tbh

[baseline bum]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

:lmao

[TheCerebral1]

Getting Durant would be surreal and like a poster mentioned up above, the fact that it took 17 years for the Spurs to get free agent appeal is a laugh. Do you want to go to the team with the best winning percentage over a two decade span. Check. Do you want to be paired with a pair of all star players in Aldridge and Kawhi. As well as a cast of relentless vets with a will to win. Check. But, hey I'm glad to go into the offseason with a 6th championship over adding KD35.

[cutewizard]

the all-world line-up, Conan the Barbarian variation:

Boban at center, LaMarcus and Durant at forwards, Kawhi and Anderson at guards.......................omg


:claw

[cutewizard]

Pop sleuthed. KD to Spurs confirmed tbh.




728804082748555264

Basically, he puts KL and KD as equals. Elite tier. Very clever use of words Pop.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

this is very interesting............

[Keepin' it real]

A player of his caliber going Ring hunting for a better situation is pathetic.. He needs to stay put and make it work in his original city with his original team.

Make sure to tell him that. I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing your point of view.

[Keepin' it real]

Having KD will only hinder Kawhi growth.

It's about the Spurs, not about Kawhi.

[raybies]

The spurs pretty much doing a heat check after finally landing a free agent.

[Canyonero]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

:lol

[ECOV]

the all-world line-up, Conan the Barbarian variation:

Boban at center, LaMarcus and Durant at forwards, Kawhi and Anderson at guards.......................omg


:claw
That's a really scary line-up in my opinion

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

It's like catching a Pokemon. You have to defeat it in battle before you capture it for your own.

:bobo

[kaji157]

I think no top tier free agent will come this year. But if we go after one we most likely will chase LeBron, his entourage seems the most anti spurs of all, but in truth coming here would also benefit him greatly if he wants to push away that entourage. Also his game is the most fit for our team.

[TheGreatYacht]

It's about the Spurs, not about Kawhi.
Bingo

[TampaDude]

Durant to the Spurs...NBA = FUCKED

[spursistan]

729011243818749953
729011931902681088

He Gone :lmao

[spursistan]

Blow'em the fuck out in Game 4..Durant has that look/voice of someone who is ready to move one..the Spurs are a winner even if he just goes East..

[coachmac87]

How do things change if he will take 20M per?

[Seventyniner]

How do things change if he will take 20M per?

His max this summer will be 30% of the cap, which is projected to be around $90M, so $27M starting. That $7M difference could allow the Spurs to keep a low-salary player or two like Mills or Anderson. But one of Green or Parker would still have to go, and Diaw would still likely be gone too.

I almost wonder if Durant might sign a 3-year deal with a player option on year 3 (I think that's possible) and sign with a different team this summer. The idea would be for his new team to have full Bird rights after 3 years and sign a full 5-year 35% max in 2019. Or opt out in 2018 and go to another team with max cap room.

[Spurtacular]

"That's probably one of the first times I've heard that one," Durant told us in February when our ESPN Radio team had the chance to sit down with him at All-Star Weekend in Toronto and ask about a short-term deal with the Thunder.

Who says that? Durant sucks at being coy.


"I haven't thought about contracts or free agency or none of that stuff at all really. ... I haven't thought about that one. I guess I have to."

Really sucks.

[CosmicCowboy]

I think no top tier free agent will come this year. But if we go after one we most likely will chase LeBron, his entourage seems the most anti spurs of all, but in truth coming here would also benefit him greatly if he wants to push away that entourage. Also his game is the most fit for our team.

That's some funny shit right there.

Have you not noticed that Cleveland is gonna be in the finals this year again and has a good shot at winning it all? That teams not just Lebron. Why would he want to leave?

[spursfaninla]

A player of his caliber going Ring hunting for a better situation is pathetic.. He needs to stay put and make it work in his original city with his original team.

Disagree; although it is more common to leave your original team after you have left your prime, we have plenty of examples of elite-level ring hunters in their prime who left their original team and ringed.

Most recently: shaq, lebron; arguably, Garnett forced the trade to Boston, along with Ray Ray (close to end of prime at least); Pau had to leave (and be a 2nd) to ring...

Although some are clearly on the 2nd tier of HOF players, all will have a fine legacy regardless.

[HankChinaski]

I am of the opinion if the spurs spend big money on a free agent it will be for someone in the front court. If you are going to ride with Parker having someone inside along Aldridge & Kawhi to funnel into really helps issues with the perimeter when the paint can be held and secured with help defenders and rebounding. I think this is more pressing for the front office than say going after Durant.

Although Durant on this roster with green or parker would certainly be intriguing idea and shifting the offense back towards a motion offense would definitely work with the roster on salary. Depth just becomes an issue with filling the roster depending on the remainder of salary left with.

I think they make a move on a big and then look at someone who can fill in the backcourt with ballhandling and Defense. The latter I see the draft as a possibility not a high one though. Will be an interesting off season for sure. This team will have an entire different look and feel to them.

[Vic Petro]

The Spurs won't trade Parker, that won't happen.

Pop's loyalty to the Big 3 will give him what he wants, and he said he wants to retire as a Spur.

Can't imagine a scenario where they trade Parker.

[r0drig0lac]

729011243818749953
729011931902681088

He Gone :lmao

it's happening.gif

[TheGreatYacht]

Let's get this thread to 100 pages!

[spursistan]

I may understand Durant resigning with Thunder if the Western conference landscape is still the same as 2014..but the rise of the Warriors juggernaut and the Spurs reloading and denting OKC's matchup advantages have severely eroded his title chances there..going to Boston/Miami/Hawks and even reuniting with Brooks in Wash gives him better shot at the Finals....

[hsxvvd]

Too much talk about this bullshit. Leave off season talk to teams in their off seasons. We're in the middle of a playoff push for our 6th title.

Let's win a 6th and then then talk about who we need to get 7, 8 & 9.

[cutewizard]

Honestly, you'd have to rethink Kawhi as the face of the franchise if he's going to be refusing great players because of his ego. You'd just have to. I can understand refusing a single player you have beef with. But if he develops into something between Rose and Kobe as far as his attitude toward other players goes, it'd wreck the franchise.

This is totally sacrilege, completely hypothetical and absolutely not what I want, but if Kawhi pulled some "I'm the star of the Spurs. There shall not be any before me," crap while KD agreed to sign a full deal, I'd move him for the best PG/Big combo, dump Parker and role with the roster. KD and LMA alone are enough to win the West with a good supporting cast. Give them another star and they would win a lot.

Again, I don't believe Kawhi is like that, hope the Spurs don't have to worry about that and was merely speaking hypothetically. But Kawhi's not above the team. I'm glad he knows that, but it seems some fans don't.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THIS IS THE BEST QUOTE/STATEMENT OF ALL TIME!

completely agree with you man.

HUMILITY. The final criterion for the greatest players of the game.

spot on, my god, Humanity is intelligent, fuck the reptilians, hahahahaha

[cutewizard]

welcome Durant with open arms if he takes a pay cut.

period. end of story.................

[cutewizard]

but first, we win tomorrow, then Portland makes it 2-2 against GS

[spursistan]

best hope now is a probably a gigantic Warriors blowout in Game7 :lol..

Yeah, he is mentally suspect,too, but i'll still take him if he wants to come..