Phoenix Suns expect to part ways with Kevin Durant this offseason. Could the Spurs be a good landing place?

[timtonymanu]

Ozark was super mid, tbh. Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad >>>>>

The Wire and Sopranos, goes without saying. I also really liked the Shield.

[Dejounte]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBASpurs/s/2r6O19aYks

bitch it’s happeningggg

[timtonymanu]

As usual the Reddit idiots on there scoff at any speculation if it involves players from the friendship crew, they did the same shit with Fox before they traded for him

[Arguendo]

Role players will never be worth more than a ring. I think spurs fan are a little out of touch when it comes to that due to Tim Duncan gifting us 5 rings when a Third of the NBA still doesn't have a single one.

The odds are actually against anyone at 14 being a diamond in the rough. There's talent for sure, but they're at the middle of the 1st round for a reason. I like the prospects of the 14th pick more this year than I can remember in awhile. Still wouldn't think twice on getting Durant for the 14 and off loading bad contracts. That would without a doubt help Wemby the most on the court as well. What's best for Wemby, is best for the team. We aren't promised an entire career with the kid as we learned this year.

For sure, the diamonds are there or close enough to move up a pick or two every yr (Joker, Booker was #13, Siakam, Bam/Jarrett Allen/OG/Mitchell at #13 all in same class, Brunson, Herro @ #13, Maxey, Sengun and plenty of guys in '22-24 post #13 that can make the jump to 1/2+ time AS, JWill and Hali were #12), but finding and developing them is more luck/fit/timeline than skill.
OKC looks great but KD @ #2, Russ falling to #4, Harden falling to #3 set up current stockpile of picks. Traded Jaden McDaniels & Quickley for James Johnson and Aleksey Pokusevki, Sengun for this yrs 17th and 2 2nds. Lively for Wallace could go either way, but Lively has a much higher ceiling.No one knows, its a crap shoot. OKC's definitely the best, but they still miss.

KD is a lil scary as a 37y/o expiring malcontent on a young team with the jewel of the league, but if we could get him for #14, Vassell & Barnes/Bran's expirings plus 2nds? Hell yes, roll the damn dice.

Fox/Harper/Castle/KD/Wemby could do serious damage next yr. I don't see anyone beating OKC next yr barring injury, but then Chet and JWill are RFAs and they'll have to start shedding salary.
KD accelerates the timeline so much, we're 2nd round team next yr with health, real WCF potential.
And if a 38y/o KD likes being back in the Hill Country and sees a chance for one or two more rings as the next but better Ray Allen next to the new best player in the league, I think odds are goods he takes under market deal to retire here and regain his reputation and become another central Tx legend. After next yr he'll be at over $500M on the court, and at least another $100M off. At this point, $10-20M here or there is a rounding error & partially off-set by income tax and an Austin legend returning.

Dudes the best shot maker ever, prefers to be Beta and hasn't lost a beat. At his size, I think he's got at least 3 good to great yrs left with Wemby and Co to cover his D and get him to a better suited 30ish-mpg.
Another 'ship or two and a happy retirement and no one will remember the Bkn/Pho issues.
And his tweet yesterday really makes me think he's into it. It all makes too much sense.

[spurraider21]

It gets WAY better
yeah in retrospect when i've gone back to rewatch that show, season 1 feels so damn slow. as breaking bad progressed it was such a masterclass as far as being consistently adrenaline-fueled but never to the point where it gets exhausting.

as much as id say better call saul is better written with more compelling characters, i think breaking bad stands alone as the best at what it does as far as consistent, nerve-racking excitement

[timtonymanu]

I think I'd rate them

1. Season 4
2. Season 2
3. Season 3
4. Season 1
5. Season 5

Wow that’s exactly my ranking too. 2 really gets better on rewatches.

[timtonymanu]

The funny thing about watching BCS is realizing everyone is eventually going to get taken down by a dying chemistry teacher.

[scott]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBASpurs/s/2r6O19aYks

bitch it’s happeningggg

Sochan trying to get rid of Devin/Keldon, power of friendship is over!

That team (as laid out in the tweet) would be pretty solid though

[Arguendo]

Meh. It's not like the 2030 MIN pick was the lynch pin of the Fox trade. If not that pick, we would have just included a different pick.

At the end of the day, I'll always contend that we should have gotten more than what we did for the #8 pick... but it's water under the bridge at this point. But, I don't disagree with the logic of trading out of #8 (just think we should have gotten more) and I'd be okay with doing the same for #14 (assuming we get a good return).
But if I'm remembering right we couldn't have absorbed Barnes salary with the #8 slot money (Barnes had to waive a kicker in fact), so that trade made Barnes + the Sac swap possible, and I assume the Barnes deal weighed on CP3's decision. Maybe there were other deals, but maybe they included '24-'25 money that would've prohibited those moves.
And Barnes has real value today as an Iron Man, Top10 shooter with Champ experience that maybe still be flipped for more value, whether this offseason or later.

So I don't look at it in a vacuum, trading the #8 got us the Minny pick and facilitated the Sac swap + Barnes, at the least. And its likely getting Barnes and CP3 influenced Fox's decision to request a trade, which lessoned his value. Maybe all coincidence, but looks strategic to me.

[Arguendo]

Wow that’s exactly my ranking too. 2 really gets better on rewatches.
Same order, same thought. Hated season 2 the first watch. But after you get the bigger story, so damn good. And boat/Beady McNulty is best McNulty.

[scott]

But if I'm remembering right we couldn't have absorbed Barnes salary with the #8 slot money (Barnes had to waive a kicker in fact), so that trade made Barnes + the Sac swap possible, and I assume the Barnes deal weighed on CP3's decision. Maybe there were other deals, but maybe they included '24-'25 money that would've prohibited those moves.
And Barnes has real value today as an Iron Man, Top10 shooter with Champ experience that maybe still be flipped for more value, whether this offseason or later.

So I don't look at it in a vacuum, trading the #8 got us the Minny pick and facilitated the Sac swap + Barnes, at the least. And its likely getting Barnes and CP3 influenced Fox's decision to request a trade, which lessoned his value. Maybe all coincidence, but looks strategic to me.

Maybe? There were plenty of other ways to make it all still work if the Spurs really wanted. I'm not willing to buy into this idea that the #8 pick set into motion this series of events that otherwise couldn't have happened. There were other ways, it's not like this was the perfect threading of the needle.

At the end of the day, I'm happy with how everything turned out... but I still rate the #8 trade a C, because I feel we should have gotten more out of it. I'm not going to bump the grade up because of the subsequent, loosely related moves that followed.

[spurraider21]

Ozark was super mid, tbh. Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad >>>>>

The Wire and Sopranos, goes without saying. I also really liked the Shield.
ozark started strong and kind of just got worse over time, though it was still pretty solid throughout. it was definitely discount breaking bad though

[CGD]

Sochan trying to get rid of Devin/Keldon, power of friendship is over!

That team (as laid out in the tweet) would be pretty solid though

I did notice that Vassell wasn’t on that boat video…

[baseline bum]

As usual the Reddit idiots on there scoff at any speculation if it involves players from the friendship crew, they did the same shit with Fox before they traded for him

They think Keldon Johnson is the heart and soul of this team, not Wemby :lmao

[scott]

I did notice that Vassell wasn’t on that boat video…

We might have underestimated Sochan's intelligence... he's clearly smart enough to know which Pineapple head he should be hitching his wagon to going forward

[RC_Drunkford]

Sochan trying to get rid of Devin/Keldon, power of friendship is over!

That team (as laid out in the tweet) would be pretty solid though

it would also be in the luxury tax :lol


They think Keldon Johnson is the heart and soul of this team, not Wemby :lmao

Spurs beat writers been spreading the same thing. I can’t wait til we get rid of him.

[Mnky]

14 for durant I agree you have to pull the trigger. However, with castle, fox, and likely harper, there is a real chance of at minimum spurs having 2 solid allstars, all on the cheap.

Yes, Role players aren't worth more than a ring, however solid role players are a necessity to most championship teams. You can see this by just looking at how teams are being constructed now, including the top 4 teams right now fighting for a chip, and boston last year. Prioritizing a few top tier talent at the sacrifice of instead having a solid well rounded 6-7 man rotation I don't think is the way to go anymore.

Fox, castle, Durant, wemby is a solid top 4. Add harper, sochan(essential defender to the best players left in the playoffs), Barnes (40% 30 shooter and great 6th man tbh) plus one solid big to add to the mix and you have your 6-7 rotation. In the playoffs, your top 4 are playing near 40 mins a game. There's not a lot left after that.

I agree on the rotation depth. You see it killing the Knicks but that's about it. The other teams have 3 main guys and a solid 3 others. Castle, Harper and Barnes can each give you 20 any given night. Yes harper is inexperienced and not proven without a doubt, but his game is the easiest to translate to the NBA. He has the Luka type inside offense. It just works.

With Durant fox and wemby, people will also want to come to the spurs. They're at a unique position with wembys rookie contract being able to actually afford 3 stars. Teams just can't do that anymore with the new salary rules.

This will be the only time in wembys career he can get away with it, without rule changes. I guarantee that factors into them chasing a ring soon.

[Jordan Jackson]

We might have underestimated Sochan's intelligence... he's clearly smart enough to know which Pineapple head he should be hitching his wagon to going forward

Oh goody. Our very own Littlefinger.

[Mnky]

For sure, the diamonds are there or close enough to move up a pick or two every yr (Joker, Booker was #13, Siakam, Bam/Jarrett Allen/OG/Mitchell at #13 all in same class, Brunson, Herro @ #13, Maxey, Sengun and plenty of guys in '22-24 post #13 that can make the jump to 1/2+ time AS, JWill and Hali were #12), but finding and developing them is more luck/fit/timeline than skill.
OKC looks great but KD @ #2, Russ falling to #4, Harden falling to #3 set up current stockpile of picks. Traded Jaden McDaniels & Quickley for James Johnson and Aleksey Pokusevki, Sengun for this yrs 17th and 2 2nds. Lively for Wallace could go either way, but Lively has a much higher ceiling.No one knows, its a crap shoot. OKC's definitely the best, but they still miss.

KD is a lil scary as a 37y/o expiring malcontent on a young team with the jewel of the league, but if we could get him for #14, Vassell & Barnes/Bran's expirings plus 2nds? Hell yes, roll the damn dice.

Fox/Harper/Castle/KD/Wemby could do serious damage next yr. I don't see anyone beating OKC next yr barring injury, but then Chet and JWill are RFAs and they'll have to start shedding salary.
KD accelerates the timeline so much, we're 2nd round team next yr with health, real WCF potential.
And if a 38y/o KD likes being back in the Hill Country and sees a chance for one or two more rings as the next but better Ray Allen next to the new best player in the league, I think odds are goods he takes under market deal to retire here and regain his reputation and become another central Tx legend. After next yr he'll be at over $500M on the court, and at least another $100M off. At this point, $10-20M here or there is a rounding error & partially off-set by income tax and an Austin legend returning.

Dudes the best shot maker ever, prefers to be Beta and hasn't lost a beat. At his size, I think he's got at least 3 good to great yrs left with Wemby and Co to cover his D and get him to a better suited 30ish-mpg.
Another 'ship or two and a happy retirement and no one will remember the Bkn/Pho issues.
And his tweet yesterday really makes me think he's into it. It all makes too much sense.

Yea he's always been a fan of the spurs. If you watch his videos od the past couple years and his on court convos, his fire is absolutely still there and you can tell he gets frustratedly with people not playing the right way. He wouldn't have to worry about that with the spurs. I think that's one of the most under appreciated aspects of the spurs.

Like you mentioned, diamonds in the rough are super rare and you listed a bunch of outliers. That's absolutely not to be expected. It's just a random luck of the draw. It's whats fun and exciting about the draft.

[Spurs Homer]

Durant is done. Please pass on him…that ship sailed about 3 years ago…

if spurs must..please let vassell go and not barnes and not sochan….

but there has to be other options than a 37 year old with extremely high mileage…

[kht]

Durant is done. Please pass on him…that ship sailed about 3 years ago…

if spurs must..please let vassell go and not barnes and not sochan….

but there has to be other options than a 37 year old with extremely high mileage…

I'd prefer Giannis (obviously) but the package for Giannis is going to be a King's ransom I feel like. One of Castle / Harper (#2) are gone, which is fine since they play the same position. #14, Vassell, one of KJ / Sochan as well.

Basically, one of Castle/#2, #14, Vassell, one of KJ/Sochan.

[spurraider21]

I'd prefer Giannis (obviously) but the package for Giannis is going to be a King's ransom I feel like. One of Castle / Harper (#2) are gone, which is fine since they play the same position. #14, Vassell, one of KJ / Sochan as well.

Basically, one of Castle/#2, #14, Vassell, one of KJ/Sochan.
well salary wise, Vassell + Keldon + Sochan already gets you there, then its just a matter of adding draft picks. #2 overall this year with a legit stud like Harper at 2 would carry quite a bit of value, way more than a generic unprotected pick. i think those players, the harper pick, 2 additional firsts, and probably a swap or something is what bucks would ask for. you have to realize how high the trade value of these types of players typically are.

Paul George got trade for Shai + Gallinari + 5 first rounders.

mitchell got traded for Lauri, 3 firsts, and 2 swaps. and giannis is a tier above either mitchell or peak paul george

its going to be painfully expensive to land giannis, with an emphasis on painfully. we're not going to get a value trade out of this. you are banking on the team making deep playoff runs in the next 3 years with that trade with a lineup of Fox/Castle/Barnes/Giannis/Wemby and a bench of... Wesley/Champagnie, and whatever other filler we can acquire. giannis is a monster, and i dont know what defenses do against giannis/wemby with Fox back there as well. maybe those two alone would make a dominant enough pairing where the rest doesnt really matter. its quite the gamble.

i think if the spurs wanted to make a trade, a Durant trade where we give Vassell/KJ/Branham, 14, and a maybe a swap for KD would be my preference between the two. KD will be 37 at the start of the season, is no longer in his prime, so he's not going to cost nearly as much.

[exstatic]

KD addresses our shooting/spacing issues. Giannis exacerbates them. Adding a non shooter to a group of non shooters sounds terrible to me.

[LeBowen]

KD addresses our shooting/spacing issues. Giannis exacerbates them. Adding a non shooter to a group of non shooters sounds terrible to me.

That's why I keep saying we'd need to acquire at least two more legit shooters if we get Giannis, which would effectively make it an all-in trade.
KD fixes the spacing, but defensive issues would still be there, we could just try to outscore everyone, tbh.

[Chillen]

Kevin stopped the Warriors trade at the deadline. He also made the Nets trade him to Suns. If KD wants the Spurs it's gonna happen. No team is going to give up significant assets for a 1 year KD rental. If he wants the Spurs he's here for the long haul.

[Chillen]

Durant is done. Please pass on him…that ship sailed about 3 years ago…

if spurs must..please let vassell go and not barnes and not sochan….

but there has to be other options than a 37 year old with extremely high mileage…

Durant is far from done. He's not in his prime anymore but he can score 30 to 40 a night quite easily. We would be able to keep #2 and Castle and this trade likely gets us in the playoffs. I'll take it. Giannis is going to cost an awful lot. If Durant tells Phoenix he wants Spurs than that also will help lower the cost for him.

[ambchang]

If we can get Durant for #14, Vassell, Branham and some salary fillers plus 2nds I’d do it in a heartbeat. And I don’t even want or like Durant. I just want to get off Vassell and to an extent Branham.

Giannis is another matter. Too expensive. I think hed be a great addition but I’m not giving up Harper, let alone Harper and castle and a half dozen picks, for him

[LeBowen]

If we can get Durant for #14, Vassell, Branham and some salary fillers plus 2nds I’d do it in a heartbeat. And I don’t even want or like Durant. I just want to get off Vassell and to an extent Branham.

Giannis is another matter. Too expensive. I think hed be a great addition but I’m not giving up Harper, let alone Harper and castle and a half dozen picks, for him

If we're getting KD for that offer, a third team needs to be involved because Suns don't need or want Vassell.
Unless they're blowing it up and trading Booker to the Rockets.

I think Timberwolves will go after KD if Randle picks up his option.
Randle, Divincenzo, Conley (or Dillingham) is good enough of an offer to keep Ishbia deluded that Suns are a playoff team.

[Dejounte]

Leader of the Gold Medal Winning Olympic Team Kevin Durant will lead this team to the promised land tbh

the new drob

it’s poetry

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/mF07ppEHB7Y?feature=shared

[thOOdee]

KD addresses our shooting/spacing issues. Giannis exacerbates them. Adding a non shooter to a group of non shooters sounds terrible to me.


100% this. Defensively I don't know how you stop this two headed monster. Offensively, what does it matter if they have difficulty cracking 100 pts every night plus deplete all their assets.

[Dverde]

If the Spurs add Durant, they’ll be a Spurs vs Thunder game on Christmas Day.

[CGD]

KD addresses our shooting/spacing issues. Giannis exacerbates them. Adding a non shooter to a group of non shooters sounds terrible to me.

Think you're right, especially when coupled with Barnes in SL. I think that helps address the Fox/Castle shooting limitations.

[CorrectCrusader]

If the Spurs add Durant, they’ll be a Spurs vs Thunder game on Christmas Day.

That would be so sick.

[CGD]

Interesting note after playing for the Spotrac trade tool:

Because of the Sun's terrible financial situation (second apron etc) the Spurs CANT do the Keldon/Dev for KD swap at the draft (they can with HB instead of Keldon tho). They CAN do it after July 1 thanks in large part to the declining salaries of our guys. \

This could have implications for sending out the 14th pick since it loses some luster after it becomes an actual player.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Interesting note after playing for the Spotrac trade tool:

Because of the Sun's terrible financial situation (second apron etc) the Spurs CANT do the Keldon/Dev for KD swap at the draft (they can with HB instead of Keldon tho). They CAN do it after July 1 thanks in large part to the declining salaries of our guys. \

This could have implications for sending out the 14th pick since it loses some luster after it becomes an actual player.

This is fine. The majority of draft day trades are executed officially after July 1st. This wouldn't prevent the Spurs from making a selection for Phoenix at 14.

[SpursFan86]

Count me in the camp of preferring the Keldon/Vassell/14 for Durant route vs. giving up a king’s ransom for Giannis (let’s say Keldon/Vassell/Harper and 2-3 additional 1sts).

In a vacuum I’d maybe go the other way but given the current construction of this team I just have major concerns as it relates to spacing. At some point you have to realize it’s 2025 and it’s a league based around shooting.

[exstatic]

Interesting note after playing for the Spotrac trade tool:

Because of the Sun's terrible financial situation (second apron etc) the Spurs CANT do the Keldon/Dev for KD swap at the draft (they can with HB instead of Keldon tho). They CAN do it after July 1 thanks in large part to the declining salaries of our guys. \

This could have implications for sending out the 14th pick since it loses some luster after it becomes an actual player.

You do the draft night trade with whatever players work. If you don’t trade the pick rights on draft night, I believe you have to wait 30 days. Something like that happened with the Wiggins/Love trade.

[Chomag]

He dosnt fit the timeline but We just need a player like Durant to give us a year or 2 before Wemby starts entering his prime and Castle and Harper given more development in their games

[exstatic]

He dosnt fit the timeline but We just need a player like Durant to give us a year or 2 before Wemby starts entering his prime

Yeah, the most you’re looking at is 3 years, the remaining one, plus a reasonable two year extension.

[Chinook]

You do the draft night trade with whatever players work. If you don’t trade the pick rights on draft night, I believe you have to wait 30 days. Something like that happened with the Wiggins/Love trade.

You can't trade a newly signed pick for 30 days. Players rights in general don't have a limit. So the Spurs could draft Harper and trade his rights two weeks later. But if they need to include his salary in a trade, they'd have to sign him, wait 30 days, then do the trade.

[KobesAchilles]

So we want our rookie coach to coach a guy who is known for getting his coaches fired?

[Chinook]

So we want our rookie coach to coach a guy who is known for getting his coaches fired?

Unlike Giannis, right?

[Seventyniner]

Unlike Giannis, right?

Some posters here didn't want Mitch to be the head coach so that would be a plus for them too.

[RC_Drunkford]

Interesting note after playing for the Spotrac trade tool:

Because of the Sun's terrible financial situation (second apron etc) the Spurs CANT do the Keldon/Dev for KD swap at the draft (they can with HB instead of Keldon tho). They CAN do it after July 1 thanks in large part to the declining salaries of our guys. \

This could have implications for sending out the 14th pick since it loses some luster after it becomes an actual player.

According to my math Keldon + Barnes wouldn’t be enough salary or would that trade still count the salary numbers from this season?

[Arguendo]

It is in fact what happened and it WAS the first in a series of events, planned or not. No buy in needed, reality of events. Maybe? Yeah maybe other options, I'd say its clear the Spurs valued this option highest because its the course they choose.
Spurs didn't have cap space w/#8. I'm not saying they knew all the dominos, likely didn't, a S&T isn't super predictable (although they know DeMar's agent well), but what they did know was their cap situation and they wanted to add vets and the offers on the table at after pick #7.

You probably know better than me, but all accounts I've heard is that the '24 draft was one of the weakest in 20 yrs. That everyone would be slotted down 4-6 picks in a typical draft. What exactly was the #8 pick, that would have the value of a #12-14 in mosts draft, worth? What better offers were actually on the table?

IMO unprotected 1st from one of the absolute worst franchises in sports, who was and is and will be in Apron hell, who traded away their '25-27 & 29' picks/control, after Ant's extension runs out was at least par value (is par that a C grade?), if not a good deal given the huge upside and the value of that #8 pick and its $6.3M cap hit.
To me context always matters and I'm always open to reevaluating offseason trade grades in regards to the overall offseason strategy, a strategy that generally will not be known to fans without hindsight. Spurs had full context, clearly didn't like the post-#7 guys available, valued capspace, valued vets, valued future pick over current, and actually knew the options available without maybes.

[KobesAchilles]

Unlike Giannis, right?
If KD plays like Giannis then I don’t care if he gets the coach fired. I’m of the Jimmy Johnson mindset. Different rules for different types of production. KD is no Giannis and he’s a bad player to play with. No ball movement with KD. No defense with KD. No rebounding with KD. Plenty of us watching him shoot midrange jumpers which is the worst shot in basketball. How exactly has KD done as a second option? No veteran leadership with KD. Miss the playoffs. Blame the FO, get a coach fired, and leave his team. That’s just as a second option buddy.

Why are you so strong on your anti-Giannis take and yet you hype of KD? When has KD since his Achilles tore proved that he is a good and winning player? Bc he won one round in the East 5 years ago? What does KD do that specifically helps teams win. And don’t say scoring bc his type of scoring is like Mitch Richmond scoring. Yeah he scores the ball but it doesn’t lead to anything. Seriously what are his good qualities as a number two guy? Bc I don’t see it

[LeBowen]

Bc he won one round in the East 5 years ago?

What do you mean one round?
He beat nephew-less Clippers two years ago!

I'm not sure how would we develop both Harper and Castle with KD on the roster.
Fox and Wemby will get their share of the ball, anyone expecting KD to just stand behind the arc and shoot 3pts is delusional. We might aswell trade for Markkanen if you want that player.

[spurraider21]

KD addresses our shooting/spacing issues. Giannis exacerbates them. Adding a non shooter to a group of non shooters sounds terrible to me.
giannis in no way exacerbates spacing issues. he has as much gravity as anybody in the league other than maybe curry. you give him a runway and he is eurostepping around whatever player you have parked in the paint and dunking on their head. you get him the ball at the nail and the entire defense is collapsing on him. he is an absolute boon to spacing.

[objective]

Re: spacing and the Giannis fit

It's worth noting that Giannis has proven that he's a selfish player who only does things his way.

Does everyone remember the expectations about the Lillard/Giannis pick and roll? Unstoppable rolls with a laser sharpshooter.

Never happened at volume. And reports came out explaining why: Giannis didn't want to do it that often because he wanted the ball in his hands to do Giannis things. Lillard could space out and try to draw attention, it's Giannis-time!

Added to his defense falling off, it's hard to see how him on a talent devoid roster without any picks left to trade or select to add talent would be a credible threat.

But the bigger issue is the broke ass Spurs Ownership. Durant disappears sooner and could maybe be convinced to take less. (Maybe). So he wouldn't necessarily overlap with new contracts for Castle or Harper. But Giannis would play a lot more years chewing up massive amounts of money.

The Bucks have spent nearly $200 million in luxury tax with Giannis after this season, while the Spurs franchise total history is under $18

The Bucks in active roster salary starting with 19-20 have spent over $960 million in salaries (compared to SA spending about 780+ in that same time)

The Bucks have used millions in cash considerations to straight up buy second round picks.

Added to the $70 million or so the Spurs will have received in tax payments starting in 19-20, and the non-zero millions on top from selling draft picks and renting out cap space...

Bucks would have outspent the Spurs by at least $450 million over 6 seasons .... Spurs can't compete with that. Nepo-Holts don't have hedge fund money to dip into, they have little nepo bank accounts.

Once he figures that out he won't want San Antonio

[Spurs Homer]

Durant is far from done. He's not in his prime anymore but he can score 30 to 40 a night quite easily. We would be able to keep #2 and Castle and this trade likely gets us in the playoffs. I'll take it. Giannis is going to cost an awful lot. If Durant tells Phoenix he wants Spurs than that also will help lower the cost for him.

Father time is undefeated...nuff sed.

[Spurs Homer]

Just the time it would take giannis to shoot free throws...would mean 4 hour spurs games...not interested.

[TheBallsbreakers]

Question is, can Durant even stay healthy? I read somewhere he hasn't played 60-plus games a season for 5 years now.

[Chinook]

Question is, can Durant even stay healthy? I read somewhere he hasn't played 60-plus games a season for 5 years now.

Durant has played 137 games over the last two seasons compared to Giannis's 140. KD played 62 games last year and 75 the year before. Are folks confusing him with Embiid or something?

[Sugus]

I say absolutely go for it if the price is right.

KD has still got it - who cares if he can't give you 30 a night anymore? I want him saving up his body. That's what we have Fox, Wemby, Castle, Harper? for.

His presence, knowledge, experience and work ethic would be invaluable for the team, just like CP3's.

I don't think he's a "coach killer" at this point in his career either (and it's good practice for Mitch, anyway).

Not to mention, an ideal player to teach Wemby and have him absorb from, face against in practice, have shooting drills with....

Honestly a great landing place for him, without even considering the lack of shooting on the roster.

[Arguendo]

Durant is done. Please pass on him…that ship sailed about 3 years ago…

if spurs must..please let vassell go and not barnes and not sochan….

but there has to be other options than a 37 year old with extremely high mileage…
36 y/oDurant
26.6/6.0/4.2/0.8/1.2 on 18.1 FGA/6.0 3PA on .527/.430/.839 splits...that's done?
25 y/o Fox in his best season
25.0/4.2/6.1/1.1/0.3 on 18.2 FGA/4.2 3PA on .512/.324/.780 splits

Durant was better last season then Fox has ever or will ever be. He's 6'11" and can always get his shoot off. 2 stocks a game, Top20 Blk%, above average ast%, was the 2nd best volume (>5) 3pt shooter last yr, 11th best percent overall. Just under average rebounder. He is still a Top20 player, is better than Fox today.
FAR from done, he was just done with Phx. A homecoming will do him good.

[Arguendo]

I say absolutely go for it if the price is right.

KD has still got it - who cares if he can't give you 30 a night anymore? I want him saving up his body. That's what we have Fox, Wemby, Castle, Harper? for.


Just for reference, he played 37.2mpg in '24, and 36.5mpg in '25. He can still play 30+, just better if he's on a team where he doesn't need to.

[exstatic]

Question is, can Durant even stay healthy? I read somewhere he hasn't played 60-plus games a season for 5 years now.

He played 75 and 62 games the last two seasons.

[Chinook]

Just for reference, he played 37.2mpg in '24, and 36.5mpg in '25. He can still play 30+, just better if he's on a team where he doesn't need to.

Think he means 30 points a game, though I can totally see how he could mean minutes.

[Arguendo]

Think he means 30 points a game, though I can totally see how he could mean minutes.
That makes sense, but he hasn't hit 30ppg since 2014, and only done is twice.
30ppg was very rare until COVID, like maybe 1 guy a yr. Now its 3-5, but those guys are all Top5 MVP guys. Durant's not that anymore, hasn't been for a decade.
But I'd love to have him for #14/Vassel playing 30-32mpg. Please!!

[dn0774]

KD may be old but he loves ball more than anyone. A reduced mpg load would help him a lot and he could still give 2-3 more solid seasons I would think. The added bonus for us is it probably takes Vassell and Keldon's contracts to get the money in the trade to work. Beyond that it is just a matter of how much draft capital goes to PHX.

[CGD]

According to my math Keldon + Barnes wouldn’t be enough salary or would that trade still count the salary numbers from this season?

My bad. Meant Dev and Barnes, instead of Dev and Keldon.

[scott]

I might be the only one... but part of KD's appeal for me is the fact he's expiring. People want to talk about what his extension would be, but I view him as a one-year Spur and let him roll off if he let's us get out of Vassell's contract.

I love Giannis... and I actually don't want either of these guys. But if we had to choose Giannis at his price or KD's at his price (and expiring contract)... I'd probably take KD. There should be relatively no debate, however, that if cost were not an issue, Giannis would be better (because Giannis is currently much better than KD). But cost is an issue, as it always is.

[Chinook]

I'm pretty resigned to the Spurs never having cap space again in the Wemby era. Maybe I'm RGM-brained, but I assume Vassell is going to be a Spur next year. I don't see Durant's expiring status as good unless he wants to take "whatever is left" after a substantial move. My hope is that he's a Spur for the rest of his career and his max gives way to Castle's max and later Harper's max as the team retools around them for the next era. That math gets way shakier when you throw in 2026 free-agent money.

[scott]

I'm pretty resigned to the Spurs never having cap space again in the Wemby era. Maybe I'm RGM-brained, but I assume Vassell is going to be a Spur next year. I don't see Durant's expiring status as good unless he wants to take "whatever is left" after a substantial move. My hope is that he's a Spur for the rest of his career and his max gives way to Castle's max and later Harper's max as the team retools around them for the next era. That math gets way shakier when you throw in 2026 free-agent money.

I'm not interested in Durant as an expiring or getting of Devin in order to have cap space for free agency (I'm of the belief that free agency is largely a mirage anyway). I'm interested in their money rolling off because I don't believe the Spurs will ever be a consistent tax team, and things are going to start getting iffy really quick if we add KD to the mix for a few years and keep Devin.

It ain't my money, and I don't give even half a shit about the Holt's balance sheet... but I do operate with the assumption that the tax line acts as our hard cap.

[KobesAchilles]

Crazy how many people didn’t pay attention to PHX the last two years. KD joins the Nets. Oh wow they are going to be a title contender. They win one whole series. KD forces his way to the Suns after nuking the Nets. Oh KD on the Suns makes them title contenders. They win one whole series.

Now KD to the Spurs. That will make them fringe contenders. No it won’t. Bc the Spurs don’t need a player like KD. We need role players. We have our top guys in in Fox, Wemby, Castle, and Harper. Those are our horses. Now we need role players who play a definitive role. We have 1.5 of those guys in Barnes and Sochan. What we don’t need is more scoring. We need 3&D players, or players that rebound and set screens, or another shot blocker/rim protector. Those are our needs. KD fills none of those roles. We have scoring. Wemby will average 27 a game. Fox will average 23 a game. Harper and Castle will give us 30 points a game between them.

Why repeat the Nets and the Suns mistake and go after a guy who doesn’t help franchises at all. This is one of the times where you need to watch the teams he plays for and really watch KD. He hasn’t been a part of a winner for a long time now. If you think the Spurs are somewhere on the 6th-10th seed, KD doesn’t push them to the next level. He would just keep us in the same tier.

That’s why I say if you’re going to get a malcontent then get one who is in his prime and would help us on some of our needs. Like Giannis. But even if you say no to a MVP candidate in your prime, KD is a horrible option

[RC_Drunkford]

I might be the only one... but part of KD's appeal for me is the fact he's expiring. People want to talk about what his extension would be, but I view him as a one-year Spur and let him roll off if he let's us get out of Vassell's contract.

I love Giannis... and I actually don't want either of these guys. But if we had to choose Giannis at his price or KD's at his price (and expiring contract)... I'd probably take KD. There should be relatively no debate, however, that if cost were not an issue, Giannis would be better (because Giannis is currently much better than KD). But cost is an issue, as it always is.

some sites say he has a player option for 26/27. Sportrac and Hoopshype don't have it listed. So no clue what's true, but KD for another year of 56 million wouldn't be good at all.

[Spurs Homer]

36 y/oDurant
26.6/6.0/4.2/0.8/1.2 on 18.1 FGA/6.0 3PA on .527/.430/.839 splits...that's done?
25 y/o Fox in his best season
25.0/4.2/6.1/1.1/0.3 on 18.2 FGA/4.2 3PA on .512/.324/.780 splits

Durant was better last season then Fox has ever or will ever be. He's 6'11" and can always get his shoot off. 2 stocks a game, Top20 Blk%, above average ast%, was the 2nd best volume (>5) 3pt shooter last yr, 11th best percent overall. Just under average rebounder. He is still a Top20 player, is better than Fox today.
FAR from done, he was just done with Phx. A homecoming will do him good.

People are in denial.

37 years old by the time the season starts. 37.
This is not a relief pitcher in baseball. This is not Golf. This is not a game for 37 year olds.

Shit breaks down. The mind will believe it- the body will refuse. Durant will spend more time injured than on the court in the next 2-3 years until he accepts what his body is clearly saying.

Get over durant- spurs should have gone after him a decade ago but were too cheap - so stay with the young guys - heck even the young guys have trouble staying healthy all season long but at least they heal fast...unlike 37 year olds.

[dn0774]

Durant can absolutely still play at a high level. He just came off a .642TS% season on high volume. Lower the minutes and usage a bit and I will gladly take that over praying that Vassell keeps turning every corner he encounters. This is a David Justice/Moneyball situation, both sides need to know what they are getting at this point in Durants career. Nobody is expecting 2014 MVP Durant to come walking through the door.

[objective]

If it was relatively 'cheap' like Vassell and Barnes/Keldon and #14, then I'm in.

Why?

Because I don't believe in Vassell and Johnson or Barnes being any good for a playoff team. They're trash.

Vassell doesn't defend anyone anymore, doesn't even shoot that well, and on top of that he's hurt all the time, playing fewer games than Durant the last 2 years.

Barnes is totally washed other than shooting from the corners. I can't believe it when I see people happily featuring his name starting in a playoff rotation, he doesn't defend or rebound in the regular season and would be a disaster in an intense playoff series.

And Keldon just isn't disciplined enough or pays enough attention to detail to take seriously in a playoff setting. He's usually clueless on defense, backdoored all the time, eyes wide looking around for someone to tell him what just happened, he can't be trusted against a team like OKC, come on. And you know you can't trust his shooting.

But Durant, even old Durant, might be one of the best possible shooters to get. Even as a decoy he's as good as you can get. This roster needs shooting, and it's hard to do better. Hell he might even improve the defense, he does get 50% more blocks per 100 than Sochan

But also ... If the 3 guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper is going to be legit, then Vassell has to be gone to make room for Harper if Harper is as legit a prospect as people say he is. It's not enough to me to just say, oh well, put Castle at SF and voila, instant room for Harper to be the third guard behind Fox and Vassell. The roster needs help at PF, and that move forces Sochan down to SF where he belongs. Whether it's Durant, or a trade for John Collins, or PJ Washington, or drafting Fleming or Queen, the status quo of Barnes and Sochan isn't enough. Swapping out Vassell for Durant makes the shooting better and shifts those minutes out of the way for Harper to get as much time as he can earn off.

So if a trade could be done only losing pick 14 and some seconds maybe, it would preserve the picks needed to fill the roster with talent over the years, and with some luck some of those swaps at the end of the decade pay off big time. A Giannis deal probably kills all that pick potential.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Imagine Durant as Bonner 2.0

[objective]

And while I'm not super into getting Durant, I get it.

Lots of people want to be patient and plan for the long term.

But injuries and circumstances can derail everything in a snap.

Spurs fans might have a warped view of injuries because in the 14 years of the big 3, only Manu missed a playoffs and that was just one with the broken leg. He was also hobbled with the broken arm against Memphis but he played. And while there were sprains and plantar fasciitis and bruises etc .... The Spurs were remarkably injury free.

OKC thought they would eventually get one with KD and Russ , but both had season ending injuries at different times plus injuries to Ibaka.

Milwaukee wouldn't be in this current situation if Middleton never gets hurt. They might still be playing if not for that butterfly effect. Even Giannis missed postseasons.

Boston loaded up hundreds of millions in tax salaries and it will went belly up with Tatum.

Wemby is still growing, his body and health are still a mystery. Make a reasonable move to win right now while you can. The Wemby future is not promised, and if Durant could be gotten for a decent price that preserves picks for the future, I think it's a fair risk.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

If Durant is traded to Spurs this summer. It means:

1. Only cost us #14 pick plus 2 SRPS max.

2. Durant is willing to be the #5 option behind out Big 4.

3. Will accept load management - only play 20 - 25 min per game and no back to backs, in order to be ready for playoffs.

4. Agrees extension for year 2 and 3 at very fair price - close to MLE, or may be slightly more. This way we have room sign other pieces like John Collins.

This may very well happen. Durant's ego is not as big as advertised.

[mo7888]

If Durant is traded to Spurs this summer. It means:

1. Only cost us #14 pick plus 2 SRPS max.

2. Durant is willing to be the #5 option behind out Big 4.

3. Will accept load management - only play 20 - 25 min per game and no back to backs, in order to be ready for playoffs.

4. Agrees extension for year 2 and 3 at very fair price - close to MLE, or may be slightly more. This way we have room sign other pieces like John Collins.

This may very well happen. Durant's ego is not as big as advertised.

2 and 4 aren't reasonable expectations. He'll be the 2nd or 3rd option depending on the night and he's worth way more than the MLE. 3 is sorta in play... im sure there will be load management, but when he plays it'll be over 30 minutes/night.

[Chinook]

2 and 4 aren't reasonable expectations. He'll be the 2nd or 3rd option depending on the night and he's worth way more than the MLE. 3 is sorta in play... im sure there will be load management, but when he plays it'll be over 30 minutes/night.

Some of the takes on Durant have been bananas. He'd be the second-best player on the team. It's so odd that a poster calling himself a Manu and Duncan fan would be so willing to put down another HoFer who's aging gracefully. The over-38 rule may prevent most of the craziest contracts anyway, but he's still going to get paid. If Durant doesn't have a max contract, it'll be because he chose to give money back, not because he couldn't command it.

[scott]

If Durant is traded to Spurs this summer. It means:

1. Only cost us #14 pick plus 2 SRPS max.

2. Durant is willing to be the #5 option behind out Big 4.

3. Will accept load management - only play 20 - 25 min per game and no back to backs, in order to be ready for playoffs.

4. Agrees extension for year 2 and 3 at very fair price - close to MLE, or may be slightly more. This way we have room sign other pieces like John Collins.

This may very well happen. Durant's ego is not as big as advertised.

I don't even want Durant, but this is ridiculous.

[rankingtear]

Durant would allow Wemby to play his game tbh. I think you would see the huge difference of how he is allowed to be guarded if Durant is in lineup with him. If you put role players at your forward spot it would be the same coverage for him.

[onechance87]

And while I'm not super into getting Durant, I get it.

Lots of people want to be patient and plan for the long term.

But injuries and circumstances can derail everything in a snap.

Spurs fans might have a warped view of injuries because in the 14 years of the big 3, only Manu missed a playoffs and that was just one with the broken leg. He was also hobbled with the broken arm against Memphis but he played. And while there were sprains and plantar fasciitis and bruises etc .... The Spurs were remarkably injury free.

OKC thought they would eventually get one with KD and Russ , but both had season ending injuries at different times plus injuries to Ibaka.

Milwaukee wouldn't be in this current situation if Middleton never gets hurt. They might still be playing if not for that butterfly effect. Even Giannis missed postseasons.

Boston loaded up hundreds of millions in tax salaries and it will went belly up with Tatum.

Wemby is still growing, his body and health are still a mystery. Make a reasonable move to win right now while you can. The Wemby future is not promised, and if Durant could be gotten for a decent price that preserves picks for the future, I think it's a fair risk.

yup i agree with this

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Some of the takes on Durant have been bananas. He'd be the second-best player on the team. It's so odd that a poster calling himself a Manu and Duncan fan would be so willing to put down another HoFer who's aging gracefully. The over-38 rule may prevent most of the craziest contracts anyway, but he's still going to get paid. If Durant doesn't have a max contract, it'll be because he chose to give money back, not because he couldn't command it.

He could command big money from another team, but not spurs.

By being a 5th option, he won't slow down the development of Harper or Castle.

Also by being a 5th option, he needs to be paid like a 5th option.

This is a prerequisite for his trading. Otherwise will be too much risk for us.

Remember, we could use that #14 pick for John Collins who will be better than Durant (at his age) and fits better.

[dubross]

these are some wild takes about Durant…hahah 5th option?!? wow

[Manu&Duncan fan]

I don't even want Durant, but this is ridiculous.

I don't want him either. So he has be to discount in order to join our Big 4, especially Wemby.

Our big 4 has to have priority over Durant. Otherwise they may want to be traded.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

these are some wild takes about Durant…hahah 5th option?!? wow

You want to drive Harper or Castle away by playing them behind a 38-year old Durant?

[rankingtear]

Durant 5th option!?!?. I am not the biggest retard in this forum anymore.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Durant 5th option!?!?. I am not the biggest retard in this forum anymore.

Basically we don't need him to win a championship.

Playing him before #5 option will mess up our future stars.

Plus, I mean average #5 option.

At 4th quarter or playoffs, he can be #2 option.

We have to let Harper and castle have their touches.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Remember, we could use that #14 pick for John Collins who will be better than Durant (at his age) and fits better.

Jollins will never even approach Durant’s level, come on.

[Mnky]

People love using outdated arguments they've been hearing for years.

Durant was one of the best floor spacers in the league last year. That alone makes him invaluable to Wemby. Fox and Wemby would feast on what's left of the team defense facing them. Wemby and Durant both are legitimate deep threats that will make everyone's offense better and easier.

Durant hasn't seen open shots like he will with wemby since the Warrior days. Durant is a true team player. He understands the game and plays his rotations on offense and defense. He doesn't need to be an athlete because he's a freak specimen. The guy can block half the league standing up. He knows how to prolong his career. He's shown it the past two years. His game is absolutely not dependent on youth. He's a physical specimen with ridiculous offensive talent. He wouldn't even have to guard any other teams top 3 players. Spurs have Castle, Sochan, Wemby. Durant and fox playing help defense with that length and speed will be nightmares for other teams.

Durant fits perfect. He's expensive. He should be. He's still a stop 10 player in the league. Let's say he has a down year, hed still be top 20 easy.

Theyre contenders the moment Durant becomes part of the team. Even before they make any other moves or additions. They would be legit contenders. That starting 5 could run with anyone in the league and would likely be the best starting defensive squad in the league.

[Mnky]

Oh and one more thing. There is literally noone in the world closer to being physically similar to Wemby than Durant. Wemby learning from one of the greatest offensive talents ever to step on the court, with a similar build, would be priceless to his development.

Not to mention one of Wembys favorite players growing up is Durant. If he wants to play with him, you make wemby happy.

[RC_Drunkford]

Theyre contenders the moment Durant becomes part of the team. Even before they make any other moves or additions. They would be legit contenders. That starting 5 could run with anyone in the league and would likely be the best starting defensive squad in the league.

come on now you're overdoing it. There is no team better than OKC defensively and it ain't even close. Spurs defense been garbage with Wemby. KD might make it average, but we're not becoming a great defensive team with him. And that's due to personell and coaching.

It might make us fringe contenders, but the roster would still lack defense and rebounding. Anyway, we're not gonna win a title in 2026 no matter who we add. If the Spurs want KD they need to build a roster that makes sense around him and our other 4 core players.

[Ice009]

I'm not a huge fan of Durant, but I do believe he can help teach Victor quite a bit, so that is the main reason I'm interested in getting him.

To the person that said 5th option - Wake TF UP. That's just a crazy take.

[RC_Drunkford]

one thing I haven't seen anybody mention is the fit of KD and Fox. Fox likes to push the tempo, KD likes to jog up the floor and slow things down.

[jesterbobman]

​KD would be our second best player.

He's not as (close to - he's probably a +2/3 player rather than a +8 like his peak) good as MVP KD, he's getting old, but he's still good until he ages like milk instantly.

I think the cost would be something like 14 + Vassell + Keldon - the asset haul that is debatable to give up. I think the idea salary wise would be he comes off / retires as Harper / Castle etc start making bank, and you still have picks coming from the swaps to get high level players to add talent, without having cap space - it accelerates the quality of the team with a better single player until those guys are ready. I think it's unlikely that team wins a title, and limits future trade options, so my preferences is something like Essengue / Carter Bryant at 14, route Keldon and some decent second round picks for a PF upgrade, and go into next year in a state of assessing the future with near full ammo.

[Ice009]

one thing I haven't seen anybody mention is the fit of KD and Fox. Fox likes to push the tempo, KD likes to jog up the floor and slow things down.

Man, so many different things to look at. I don't even really know Fox's game fully yet as we haven't seen him enough in Spurs uniform with a full team. I don't know his style of play that well yet.

[quentin_compson]

People talking about a "Big 4" on the Spurs are being delusional. Castle showed a lot of promise in his rookie season and won ROY (against mostly terrible competition), but he has a long way to go to be even considered a net positive player, let alone something like a star - which is fine, given his age and the fact that he was a rookie. And Harper hasn't even played one minute of NBA basketball yet.
I get people are excited about the young guys, I am as well, but there is being excited and hopeful and hyped, and then there is being outright delusional.

[RC_Drunkford]

Man, so many different things to look at. I don't even really know Fox's game fully yet as we haven't seen him enough in Spurs uniform with a full team. I don't know his style of play that well yet.

Which is why it makes more sense to make smaller moves tbh. This team won’t win a title next year regardless. Pick somebody at #14, make a small trade for a starting PF. Sign LaRavia and a back up C and then see how the team looks going into the season instead of making a big aquisition while your roster has plenty of questionmarks.

[tbdog]

Which is why it makes more sense to make smaller moves tbh. This team won’t win a title next year regardless. Pick somebody at #14, make a small trade for a starting PF. Sign LaRavia and a back up C and then see how the team looks going into the season instead of making a big aquisition while your roster has plenty of questionmarks.

We have the assets now for big playoff runs. Like a Durant deal.

[timtonymanu]

come on now you're overdoing it. There is no team better than OKC defensively and it ain't even close. Spurs defense been garbage with Wemby. KD might make it average, but we're not becoming a great defensive team with him. And that's due to personell and coaching.

It might make us fringe contenders, but the roster would still lack defense and rebounding. Anyway, we're not gonna win a title in 2026 no matter who we add. If the Spurs want KD they need to build a roster that makes sense around him and our other 4 core players.

That's what is making the Spurs reddit so unbearable to read. Some fans are already acting like we're a guaranteed dynasty but yet they think we need to keep guys like Assell and KJ. They don't realize how far away we are still from being just as good as OKC.

[Dejounte]

I don't want him either. So he has be to discount in order to join our Big 4, especially Wemby.

Our big 4 has to have priority over Durant. Otherwise they may want to be traded.

If Castle or Harper want to get traded in their first or second year because they’re not a top option on the team, they’re egotistical maniacs and are going to leave no matter what. That’s not Spurs-like at all.

I think you are way too worried about catering to players who are still developing. It’s also wrong to believe that they will develop best with no one better above them. The core before this one (Vassell, Sochan, Keldon, etc) ONLY started developing when Chris Paul and Barnes arrived. They were stagnant for the years prior and it was basically wasted years. To have no one showing Harper and Castle the ropes like that is going to slow their development down way more than you think. The best players in the NBA right now were brought along slowly. Jokic didn’t come in guns blazing. Neither did SGA.

[RC_Drunkford]

We have the assets now for big playoff runs. Like a Durant deal.

what kind of playoff run? None of our players have ever been to the playoffs except Barnes. Fox has been to the first round once. They don't know anything about playoff basketball. Adding Durant won't change that.

This is a process and people somehow want to skip steps to go from lottery team to championship. When has this ever happened in NBA history?

[Chillen]

what kind of playoff run? None of our players have ever been to the playoffs except Barnes. Fox has been to the first round once. They don't know anything about playoff basketball. Adding Durant won't change that.

This is a process and people somehow want to skip steps to go from lottery team to championship. When has this ever happened in NBA history?

Well Timmy won the NBA championship in his 2nd season. Of course there were already veterans on the team with playoff experience. It helps to have vets and KD would fit in well.

[RC_Drunkford]

Well Timmy won the NBA championship in his 2nd season. Of course there were already veterans on the team with playoff experience. It helps to have vets and KD would fit in well.

Duncan went to a team with 9 players over 30. 1 KD will replace 9 vets? :lol the takes here are getting worse by the hour

[vy65]

For the anti-KD crowd, are you concerned about the shooting from a Fox-Castle-Harper 3 guard lineup? If so, doesn’t the shooting from KD and Wemby balance that all out, meaning you could run a lineup of Fox/Harper/Steph/KD/Wemby and have the floor spaces for 3 point of attack guards with the ability to finish at the rim or kick out to Wemby or KD?

[Guru of Nothing]

Not anti-KD, at all, but I've kind of evolved my thoughts on the Fox-Castle-Harper combo. I certainly want to see how this might scheme out with all three on the floor with Victor and another, but the thought of being able to have near 100% coverage on the court with two out of three on the floor at all times is what really sold me. If Harper can get up to speed quickly, and if Castle continues his ascent, we should be carving up 2nd units on the regular. Gawt Damn I'm excited!

[Arguendo]

People are in denial.

37 years old by the time the season starts. 37.
This is not a relief pitcher in baseball. This is not Golf. This is not a game for 37 year olds.

Shit breaks down. The mind will believe it- the body will refuse. Durant will spend more time injured than on the court in the next 2-3 years until he accepts what his body is clearly saying.

Get over durant- spurs should have gone after him a decade ago but were too cheap - so stay with the young guys - heck even the young guys have trouble staying healthy all season long but at least they heal fast...unlike 37 year olds.
Denial about the factual situation from last season?
Its not 2004 or 2014 anymore. The NBA is less physical than ever, and great shooters are playing longer.
Is Dirk a good comp? He was still very good at 37 and a very solid role player/good to great shooter through 39. 8 yrs ago.
Curry is one yr younger, still the best shooter in basketball today. Easily. Still top15.
Lebron still a Top15 today at 40.

Durant just put up the 13th best True Shooting in the NBA, 12 best 3%, 2nd best volume 3pt shooter, Top20 Blk%. He is still elite and worse case he's a rental that gets us off of Vassell.
Yes, people are in denial about how times change and how sports medicine and nutrition have prolonged careers.
35 y/o Harden just made All-NBA, along with 36y/o Curry, and 40y/o Lebron. They are all still elite and so is Durant. He is the best shot maker ever, maybe he falls apart or maybe he give you one more very good season or two and a very solid season, like Dirk did to 39y/o. Or maybe he entirely keeps up the shooting playing 30ish mpg kinda like Lebron who had his 3rd best shooting season ever at 39y/o.
The denial is real. He's an expiring that gets you off of Vassell, very little downside if the price is right. I'm not giving up 1st for him, but #14 and Vassell based- yes ALL day.

[SpursFan86]

Yeah some of these anti-KD takes are just absurd. Dude just averaged 27 ppg on 64 TS% and you want him to take a backseat to Castle and Harper? :lol

KD would be the 2nd best player on our team and arguably the best offensive player on our team (depends on whether Victor takes another step forward probably). I agree there are concerns about how the offense is going to run and I don’t fault anyone for saying they’d rather spend the ~50MM+ in salary filling out multiple roles rather than one guy…but let’s not act like KD wouldn’t be a huge addition on this team.

[Rocalcio]

I wanna fuck Angie Dickinson, let's see who gets lucky first.

I hope for you you’ll be the first to be lucky, cause she’s 90 years old so almost dead

[Mnky]

come on now you're overdoing it. There is no team better than OKC defensively and it ain't even close. Spurs defense been garbage with Wemby. KD might make it average, but we're not becoming a great defensive team with him. And that's due to personell and coaching.

It might make us fringe contenders, but the roster would still lack defense and rebounding. Anyway, we're not gonna win a title in 2026 no matter who we add. If the Spurs want KD they need to build a roster that makes sense around him and our other 4 core players.

Spurs literally had the best defensive rating lineup in the NBA with Wemby the last 15 games he played in.

What are you talking about build around KD? Getting KD is building the roster around Wemby, your best player.

[rankingtear]

I think you guys just skip to the part where Wemby is a going to be a great offensive player, not really admitting that he still needs help to reach that, as the legend chinook said there no player in the league past or present to better to pair him with than Durant who he modeled his offense after and who shares the same difficulty with his height and frame and would free him from the tough matchup and he needs favorable matchup to build confidence and reps. Some would rather have John Collins and late lottery picks, imagine justifying the logic of that to wemby, probably curses you in french. He would think his GM is a retard like the new no.1 retard in this board in duncanXXXmanu fan.

[Mnky]

Denial about the factual situation from last season?
Its not 2004 or 2014 anymore. The NBA is less physical than ever, and great shooters are playing longer.
Is Dirk a good comp? He was still very good at 37 and a very solid role player/good to great shooter through 39. 8 yrs ago.
Curry is one yr younger, still the best shooter in basketball today. Easily. Still top15.
Lebron still a Top15 today at 40.

Durant just put up the 13th best True Shooting in the NBA, 12 best 3%, 2nd best volume 3pt shooter, Top20 Blk%. He is still elite and worse case he's a rental that gets us off of Vassell.
Yes, people are in denial about how times change and how sports medicine and nutrition have prolonged careers.
35 y/o Harden just made All-NBA, along with 36y/o Curry, and 40y/o Lebron. They are all still elite and so is Durant. He is the best shot maker ever, maybe he falls apart or maybe he give you one more very good season or two and a very solid season, like Dirk did to 39y/o. Or maybe he entirely keeps up the shooting playing 30ish mpg kinda like Lebron who had his 3rd best shooting season ever at 39y/o.
The denial is real. He's an expiring that gets you off of Vassell, very little downside if the price is right. I'm not giving up 1st for him, but #14 and Vassell based- yes ALL day.

Literally nothing negative about Durant. Theres people arguing that the 50 million would beyter suit the 8th and 9th guy on the bench that will never get playing time. It's like they've never seen a Spurs game. The days of your backup 5 playing big minutes is long gone. Can't believe people want to prioritize backups over your starting lineup. These takes are getting wild.

[Spurs Homer]

Denial about the factual situation from last season?
Its not 2004 or 2014 anymore. The NBA is less physical than ever, and great shooters are playing longer.
Is Dirk a good comp? He was still very good at 37 and a very solid role player/good to great shooter through 39. 8 yrs ago.
Curry is one yr younger, still the best shooter in basketball today. Easily. Still top15.
Lebron still a Top15 today at 40.

Durant just put up the 13th best True Shooting in the NBA, 12 best 3%, 2nd best volume 3pt shooter, Top20 Blk%. He is still elite and worse case he's a rental that gets us off of Vassell.
Yes, people are in denial about how times change and how sports medicine and nutrition have prolonged careers.
35 y/o Harden just made All-NBA, along with 36y/o Curry, and 40y/o Lebron. They are all still elite and so is Durant. He is the best shot maker ever, maybe he falls apart or maybe he give you one more very good season or two and a very solid season, like Dirk did to 39y/o. Or maybe he entirely keeps up the shooting playing 30ish mpg kinda like Lebron who had his 3rd best shooting season ever at 39y/o.
The denial is real. He's an expiring that gets you off of Vassell, very little downside if the price is right. I'm not giving up 1st for him, but #14 and Vassell based- yes ALL day.

All good points and I get all that...IF....A big IF the spurs only pay vassell and the #14 - yes ...that would be fine.
My point is that durant is pretty much done physically - but would love to be proven wrong...but father time is still undefeated.

also...

1) I dont think other teams would stand by and allow the spurs to land durant that cheaply...but if it happened im fine with that

and

2) durants health would still end up biting the spurs sooner or later...but hey...if the cost is #14 and vassell - sure.

[exstatic]

All good points and I get all that...IF....A big IF the spurs only pay vassell and the #14 - yes ...that would be fine.
My point is that durant is pretty much done physically - but would love to be proven wrong...but father time is still undefeated.

also...

1) I dont think other teams would stand by and allow the spurs to land durant that cheaply...but if it happened im fine with that

and

2) durants health would still end up biting the spurs sooner or later...but hey...if the cost is #14 and vassell - sure.

They have to trade more contracts than just Vassell. Durant will make $54M next year, and Vassell will make $27M.

[Spurs Homer]

They have to trade more contracts than just Vassell. Durant will make $54M next year, and Vassell will make $27M.

Yup

and that is why im not high on durant and his overall cost...not to mention:

are we absolutely sure Wemby is ok with this? Or if this is even good for wemby?

I would argue that we have the GOAT/Future GOAT in wemby...why are we looking for another star to take away wembys shots/development?

Another reason why Giannis is not a great idea - except maybe on paper - but not sure if it translates well on the court?

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Durant for 14, vassell, Johnson and future picks/swaps

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Like the Durant trade idea more than other scenarios ie giannis

Any reasonable deal that doesn't touch castle harper wemby fox .. make it so

[spurraider21]

one thing I haven't seen anybody mention is the fit of KD and Fox. Fox likes to push the tempo, KD likes to jog up the floor and slow things down.
thats fine tbh. you can always hit him on the trail like we've done with wemby. you rarely have 4-5 guys flying down separate lanes on fastbreaks. its usually 2-3 guys most and then the other 2 trail

[spurraider21]

They have to trade more contracts than just Vassell. Durant will make $54M next year, and Vassell will make $27M.
Vassell + Keldon/Barnes + Branham gets it done

[exstatic]

Vassell + Keldon/Barnes + Branham gets it done

Yeah, there have been a number of scenarios and contract matches. He was just saying ONLY Vassell,and I was pointing out that wouldn’t work.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Durant's the original instagramaballa but he put team usa on his back time and time again

[RC_Drunkford]

Spurs literally had the best defensive rating lineup in the NBA with Wemby the last 15 games he played in.

What are you talking about build around KD? Getting KD is building the roster around Wemby, your best player.

wow a 15 game sample size. I can do the same thing the other was around:

Spurs also had the 6th best offense in March. So what does Mitch need KD for? Matter of fact, he doesn't even need Wemby, since Wemby didn't play in march.


If we get KD we still need complementary pieces who can rebound the damn ball and play defense. It ain't rocket science. And one fuckin line up is not playing the entire 48 minutes.

I'm not even against aquiring KD. As long as he's ok with a 2-year extension for 30 million per year. But if that's the case put the Dallas swap and 3-4 second rounders up to add on to that. Sign a Jake LaRavia or trade for PJ Washington to get you some 3-and-D help to pair KD with in the front court.

[scott]

Worth trading for KD just to have him set up 6 ALTs here on ST.com

[Sugus]

Just for reference, he played 37.2mpg in '24, and 36.5mpg in '25. He can still play 30+, just better if he's on a team where he doesn't need to.


Think he means 30 points a game, though I can totally see how he could mean minutes.


That makes sense, but he hasn't hit 30ppg since 2014, and only done is twice.
30ppg was very rare until COVID, like maybe 1 guy a yr. Now its 3-5, but those guys are all Top5 MVP guys. Durant's not that anymore, hasn't been for a decade.
But I'd love to have him for #14/Vassel playing 30-32mpg. Please!!

Haha, yeah I meant PPG, sorry for being ambiguous. But I want him to neither play 30mpg, nor score 30ppg, so we agree either way :lol:tu

Indeed we don't need him to score anywhere near that. I honestly think KD is one of those "gravity-pull" superstars like Steph, where even the threat of his shot is enough to create massive space, since defenses will always have to respect his jumper.

I honestly can't imagine him complaining about minutes nor usage at this point in his career, especially coming from a Phoenix team where his two co-stars were both "on-ball" kind of players. He should have little trouble adapting to our core, and the Spurs can sell him on extending his career by managing his minutes and workload given the number of young players the Spurs will be working with.

Just a good fit all around, tbh.

[Sugus]

Oh and one more thing. There is literally noone in the world closer to being physically similar to Wemby than Durant. Wemby learning from one of the greatest offensive talents ever to step on the court, with a similar build, would be priceless to his development.

Not to mention one of Wembys favorite players growing up is Durant. If he wants to play with him, you make wemby happy.

This is it for me, as well. Truly the tipping point that makes the whole thing worth it, price tag and age be damned.

Good vet presences, especially those who reached the peak of basketball heights, are invaluable to a young and learning team. I don't care if Durant's body doesn't hold as well as it did 10 years ago - his experience, wisdom, training regime, even his training drills are all extremely valuable for the Spurs' young players to learn from.

I don't think Durant's value is only expressed in his on-the-court production..... And he's a very productive player. That's saying something.

[Seventyniner]

Worth trading for KD just to have him set up 6 ALTs here on ST.com

Plot twist, he has been here all along!

[RC_Drunkford]

since it seems to be 50/50 let's see how that would look cap wise:

Spurs trade Vassell, Barnes and #14 for Kevin Durant. Spurs are 11 million under the cap, so they can absorb the rest of the salary, helping Phoenix to lower their tax bill.

KD agrees to a 2-year 30 million dollar extension in 2026. Fox gets a 30% max extension (Spurs might be able to negotiate a slightly lower amount). Sochan gets the projected 33/3 extension, frontloaded (Spurs will probably pay him more).

https://i.ibb.co/HfgXNBdz/KD-Spurs-Cap.jpg

that would look really good. Still got the 14.1 million MLE as well as the 5.1 million BAE to bring some more players in.

I'd use part of the MLE on Jake LaRavia who's gonna get a deal similar to Sochan I assume. We obviously need a back up C. Brook Lopez would be out of our price range, so I'd go with Clint Capela for 5.1 million. If Horford or Adams are available for that amount I'd rather get them, but I believe they would cost more.

Since we need to be really cost controlled on the back end of the roster I would love to aquire a late first from Brooklyn for a Rasheer Fleming, if he falls, or a McNeeley. Otherwise trade up into the early second round and get a 3rd string C like Kalkbrenner.

Sign a shooter like Riley Minnix to a Champagnie deal. Leave one roster spot open for the trade deadline. We'd be about 2.8 million under the tax line.

https://i.ibb.co/xS6jh156/KD-roster-Spurs.jpg

something like that would be decent. What I'd really want to do in this scenario is get rid of Keldon, Branham and Wesley as well. Put the Dallas swap up and try to get PJ Washington and a better back up C than Capela. Then we're really talking about a playoff run, but I guess that would be wishful thinking. There's no way we're replacing 10 players in one offseason.

[Spurs Homer]

It would suck if Barnes is let go after his solid season both on and off the court...

For a 37 year old on his last legs....just would leave a horrible taste.

[Dejounte]

Yeah I would rather let Keldon go than Barnes

[scott]

Plot twist, he has been here all along!

There are some people's who recent stanning for him would make a lot more sense in that context :lol

[scott]

If we get KD, will be fun to reconcile the excitement over having him with the "why are Castle/Harper only getting 8 shots a game!?!?!?" posts.

[vy65]

You got me. I'm Kevin Durant.

[spurraider21]

You got me. I'm Kevin Durant.
i knew it, crayola

[vy65]

i knew it, crayola

Was it my platform of bluster that gave it away?

[Frenchfred]

If we get KD, will be fun to reconcile the excitement over having him with the "why are Castle/Harper only getting 8 shots a game!?!?!?" posts.

Vassel and Keldon are taking 24 shots combined. Chris Paul 7 shots so that's 31 shots between KD and Harper; I think that it should be fine, no?

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Jollins will never even approach Durant’s level, come on.

It's funny people cling to an empty name - Kevin Durant, instead of the real one - 38-year old, injury-prone guy.

He is not Lebron, His level of play will fall off cliff in no time.

So, don't look at his stats from last season. We need to look for the next 3 years.

John Collins will be far better than Durant for the next 3 years.

[objective]

One other way to look at KD trade, which would have to include Vassell to make the numbers work:

Vassell is the Spurs shooting specialist, who has never shot 39.0% or better in his 5 year career

Durant has shot 40.0% or better from three for 8 seasons, including 4 of the last 5. Plus one more season of 39.1, for a total of 9 seasons hitting the three better than Vassell ever has. EVER.

A bet on KD isn't just a bet on KD, it's a bet against Vassell who just gets worse and worse on defense. And Vassell's opportunities WILL shrink whether he likes it or not further decreasing his value, same thing we've witnessed with Keldon.

Fox is going to assert himself. Castle is the ROY. Harper wants to play and win. Any supposed power forward traded for that doesn't send out Vassell like John Collins or PJ takes usage from Vassell.

And you're stuck paying Vassell anyway. What happens when he finishes his contract, the Spurs have no space and no leverage to replace him, and despite diminished value and play he wants even more? Going to be stuck paying him again? Can't afford to replace him.

Sure, the Spurs may be super young .... But look at OKC, about to wipe their ass with the east team and win a title with a 2nd year Chet and 3rd year J-Will and contributors up and down the rotation with youth and little playoff experience.

It's a new world

[Manu&Duncan fan]

If we get KD, will be fun to reconcile the excitement over having him with the "why are Castle/Harper only getting 8 shots a game!?!?!?" posts.

That's why I said Durant doesn't work for us unless he agrees to be our 5th option - only takes open shots.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Another reason Durant is bad fit is that Spurs will likely want to play faster with our 3 fast guards and fast Alien.

Durant is too slow to fit into that style unless he plays maximum 25 minutes or so.

To be clear, I love Durant. No hatred or disrespect at all.

[exstatic]

Another reason Durant is bad fit is that Spurs will likely want to play faster with our 3 fast guards and fast Alien.

Durant is too slow to fit into that style unless he plays maximum 25 minutes or so.

To be clear, I love Durant. No hatred or disrespect at all.

It’s quite clear that you do hate him, but its a quiet hatred.

[objective]

Maybe, it also could mean he'll be great for trailing threes in early offense as the last guy coming up

[Manu&Duncan fan]

It’s quite clear that you do hate him, but its a quiet hatred.

Not sure your definition of hatred.:tongue

I love Curry too. Does that mean I want to trade for him at this age into this spurs team?

I enjoy watching them! But their time is coming to an end. Sometime in a sudden and sad way.

Look at Curry's Hamstring injury in this playoff. Is it hard to imagine Durant has similar injury at the most important time? The chance is high!

[scott]

Not sure the your definition of hatred.:tongue

I love Curry too. Does that mean I want to trade for him at this age into this spurs team?

I enjoy watching them! But their time is coming to an end. Sometime in a sudden and sad way.

Look at Curry's Hamstring injury in this playoff. Is it hard to imagine Durant has similar injury at the most important time? The chance is high!

Saying KD would be the 5th option behind Castle and Harper is the talk of an absolutely insane person, tbh.

[spurraider21]

*whispers*

kevin durant averaged 26.6ppg last year (6th in the league) on 53/43/84 splits

[Mnky]

wow a 15 game sample size. I can do the same thing the other was around:

Spurs also had the 6th best offense in March. So what does Mitch need KD for? Matter of fact, he doesn't even need Wemby, since Wemby didn't play in march.


If we get KD we still need complementary pieces who can rebound the damn ball and play defense. It ain't rocket science. And one fuckin line up is not playing the entire 48 minutes.

I'm not even against aquiring KD. As long as he's ok with a 2-year extension for 30 million per year. But if that's the case put the Dallas swap and 3-4 second rounders up to add on to that. Sign a Jake LaRavia or trade for PJ Washington to get you some 3-and-D help to pair KD with in the front court.

Not at all the same. With Wemby, the Spurs were regularly a top 10 team defensive lineup with a 40 yr old Chris Paul and keldon Johnson playing the 4.

KD was in talks for defensive player of the year when he was with GS. He averages a couple blocks a game. The dude is a legit defensive playmaker and Fox is one of the best in the leage at steals. Those two would be a huge upgrade to a top 10 defensive lineup.

[spurraider21]

Not at all the same. With Wemby, the Spurs were regularly a top 10 team defensive lineup with a 40 yr old Chris Paul and keldon Johnson playing the 4.

KD was in talks for defensive player of the year when he was with GS. He averages a couple blocks a game. The dude is a legit defensive playmaker and Fox is one of the best in the leage at steals. Those two would be a huge upgrade to a top 10 defensive lineup.
there was 1 year with GSW where durant ranked 9th in DPOY voting. never cracked top 10 other than that one time.

but yes he is generally a good defender and the suns were relying on him as their top rim protector for much of last year. but like you said, he's a defensive playmaker much like Fox, even if he's not necessarily some possession to possession lockdown defender. we've already seen how wemby can make an otherwise shitty defense look good with his elite play. tack on some event-creators like Fox/Durant/Castle and you are cooking. this is why i'm also quite high on both Fleming and Bryant at 14

[Mnky]

This is it for me, as well. Truly the tipping point that makes the whole thing worth it, price tag and age be damned.

Good vet presences, especially those who reached the peak of basketball heights, are invaluable to a young and learning team. I don't care if Durant's body doesn't hold as well as it did 10 years ago - his experience, wisdom, training regime, even his training drills are all extremely valuable for the Spurs' young players to learn from.

I don't think Durant's value is only expressed in his on-the-court production..... And he's a very productive player. That's saying something.

Chris Paul was huge in helping these youngins learn accountability and reality. Durant would play a similar role with the added benefit of being the MAN on his teams. He has so much to offer Wemby experience wise.

[Mnky]

there was 1 year with GSW where durant ranked 9th in DPOY voting. never cracked top 10 other than that one time.

but yes he is generally a good defender and the suns were relying on him as their top rim protector for much of last year. but like you said, he's a defensive playmaker much like Fox, even if he's not necessarily some possession to possession lockdown defender.

He's been the best offensive player in the league quite a bit of his career. When he was asked to be a defender too, he become DPOY candidate. Dude is just a baller.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Chris Paul was huge in helping these youngins learn accountability and reality. Durant would play a similar role with the added benefit of being the MAN on his teams. He has so much to offer Wemby experience wise.

I totally agree, if he play similar role and takes similar money as Chris Paul.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Saying KD would be the 5th option behind Castle and Harper is the talk of an absolutely insane person, tbh.

I meant 5th option average for the next 3 years.

Say, 2026 3rd option; 2027 5th; 2028 8th option.

FAIR Salary wise, 2026 $40 million; 2027 $20; 2028 $10 Million.

Similar to $53, MLE; MLE.

Am I still insane?:tongue

[Manu&Duncan fan]

*whispers*

kevin durant averaged 26.6ppg last year (6th in the league) on 53/43/84 splits

Talk to me again May 2027, after 2nd round of playoff, if he lasts that long.

[TD 21]

Durant is still an All-Star (some might argue All-NBA) caliber player, who is aging about as well as possible all things considered. He's not taking a massive pay cut or playing some tertiary role offensively and they're not getting him for flotsam and jetsam.

Interesting comment here 2025 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects - ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players) about Jakucionis and Spurs being a potential lading spot before moving up, as well as a comment here NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Top prospects returned to college, but plenty of talent remains. Here's our latest look at every pick - Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-mock-draft-30-top-prospects-returned-to-college-but-plenty-of-talent-remains-heres-our-latest-look-at-every-pick-160546750.html) about not being convinced taking Harper as plan A.

If Jakucionis was (is?) a target, then I wonder if my fake trade has legs. Disclaimer: not advocating for or suggesting Spurs would do this, just guessing that it'd have to be something like the following to consummate: 2, Vassell, K. Johnson to Nets; Claxton, C. Johnson and 19 to Suns; Durant and 8 to Spurs.


Durant would allow Wemby to play his game tbh. I think you would see the huge difference of how he is allowed to be guarded if Durant is in lineup with him. If you put role players at your forward spot it would be the same coverage for him.

Yeah, hide the C on and have him roam off Sochan would be kaput and while they'd just move them to Castle, the Spurs could pivot to utilizing the latter like the Celtics did Holiday, which is to say basically as a C: Short role play making, dunker spot, cutter.

Durant would also significantly upgrade the secondary rim protection/defensive rebounding from Barnes (who'd have to defend more 3) and Vassell. He could also pair with Sochan and if re-signed Mamukelashvili as 4/5 combos in small ball lineups.

[Ignazzz]

The Phoenix Suns are significantly above the NBA salary cap and luxury tax threshold, resulting in a high payroll and large luxury tax payments. Their high spending, driven by the acquisition of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, means they face substantial penalties for exceeding the salary cap. The Suns are currently projected to have a $219.9 million payroll and a $184.2 million luxury tax penalty, according to ThirdApron.com (https://www.thirdapron.com/).

[tbdog]

what kind of playoff run? None of our players have ever been to the playoffs except Barnes. Fox has been to the first round once. They don't know anything about playoff basketball. Adding Durant won't change that.

This is a process and people somehow want to skip steps to go from lottery team to championship. When has this ever happened in NBA history?

Mate the thunder team had one playoff run before this one. And they just dismantled a veteran team.

[scott]

I meant 5th option average for the next 3 years.

Say, 2026 3rd option; 2027 5th; 2028 8th option.

FAIR Salary wise, 2026 $40 million; 2027 $20; 2028 $10 Million.

Similar to $53, MLE; MLE.

Am I still insane?:tongue

Yes.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Yes.

Ok. Lets talk again in May 2027. :tongue

[Manu&Duncan fan]

Mate the thunder team had one playoff run before this one. And they just dismantled a veteran team.

Pacers too. How many veterans do they have?

We already have Barns, Fox. Still need to sign a couple. More than enough to take down Thunders and Paces in 2 years.

Most people here underestimate the talent of our Big 4.

[scott]

Ok. Lets talk again in May 2027. :tongue

He may in fact be completely broken in 2028... but, the insane thing is thinking he'll agree to any kind of deal where he's getting $10MM to be the 8th option. He'll just retire at that point.

I think there are decent cases to be made for wanting him, or not wanting him... but the "I'll take him under these completely unrealistic conditions" posts are just insanity. Just say you don't want him. It's kind of like last summer when people would chime in to say "I'll give Ainge 2 SRPs and Branham for Lauri". Okay, we get it... you don't want him. You can just say that.

[benefactor]

Gnsf is back in full throat. We are truly establishing a new golden age of ST

[Manu&Duncan fan]

He may in fact be completely broken in 2028... but, the insane thing is thinking he'll agree to any kind of deal where he's getting $10MM to be the 8th option. He'll just retire at that point.

I think there are decent cases to be made for wanting him, or not wanting him... but the "I'll take him under these completely unrealistic conditions" posts are just insanity. Just say you don't want him. It's kind of like last summer when people would chime in to say "I'll give Ainge 2 SRPs and Branham for Lauri". Okay, we get it... you don't want him. You can just say that.

I totally agree with you. I don't really want him to slow down the development of our young guys. That's why I'm so cheap on him.

Here is what I meant: if he is willing to discount himself in order to get a few more rings. I'm ok with that. Spurs offer the best chance.

I understand that he will find better trade with better role and money.

His name only still worth a lot. Any team with Durant will sell more tickets. But not Spurs.

The chance of us trading for Durant or Giannis is less than the chance Dallas picks Harper.

[RC_Drunkford]

Not at all the same. With Wemby, the Spurs were regularly a top 10 team defensive lineup with a 40 yr old Chris Paul and keldon Johnson playing the 4.

KD was in talks for defensive player of the year when he was with GS. He averages a couple blocks a game. The dude is a legit defensive playmaker and Fox is one of the best in the leage at steals. Those two would be a huge upgrade to a top 10 defensive lineup.

I'm with you on that his length would definitely help. Also Barnes is our worst defender together with Keldon, so KD would be an upgrade on both ends. He might even play harder here than on the Suns. Seemed checked out a bit over there.

[RC_Drunkford]

The Phoenix Suns are significantly above the NBA salary cap and luxury tax threshold, resulting in a high payroll and large luxury tax payments. Their high spending, driven by the acquisition of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, means they face substantial penalties for exceeding the salary cap. The Suns are currently projected to have a $219.9 million payroll and a $184.2 million luxury tax penalty, according to ThirdApron.com (https://www.thirdapron.com/).

which is why KD to the Spurs would help them shave off 11 million from their payroll. Also Barnes expiring would give them some more salary relief the season after.


Mate the thunder team had one playoff run before this one. And they just dismantled a veteran team.

Yes and that's exactly what our players need. One playoff run where they get their butts kicked, so they understand what it takes to win in the postseason. Every championship team had to go through that.

The goal should clearly be to get in the playoffs this season. Then the season after we can talk about contending. That's a pretty good trajectory.


Pacers too. How many veterans do they have?

We already have Barns, Fox. Still need to sign a couple. More than enough to take down Thunders and Paces in 2 years.

Most people here underestimate the talent of our Big 4.

The Pacers were in the ECF last season. You clearly underestimate how Wemby will struggle to score once Alex Caruso bearhugs him from behind.


Durant is still an All-Star (some might argue All-NBA) caliber player, who is aging about as well as possible all things considered. He's not taking a massive pay cut or playing some tertiary role offensively and they're not getting him for flotsam and jetsam.

Interesting comment here 2025 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects - ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players) about Jakucionis and Spurs being a potential lading spot before moving up, as well as a comment here NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Top prospects returned to college, but plenty of talent remains. Here's our latest look at every pick - Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-mock-draft-30-top-prospects-returned-to-college-but-plenty-of-talent-remains-heres-our-latest-look-at-every-pick-160546750.html) about not being convinced taking Harper as plan A.

If Jakucionis was (is?) a target, then I wonder if my fake trade has legs. Disclaimer: not advocating for or suggesting Spurs would do this, just guessing that it'd have to be something like the following to consummate: 2, Vassell, K. Johnson to Nets; Claxton, C. Johnson and 19 to Suns; Durant and 8 to Spurs.



Yeah, hide the C on and have him roam off Sochan would be kaput and while they'd just move them to Castle, the Spurs could pivot to utilizing the latter like the Celtics did Holiday, which is to say basically as a C: Short role play making, dunker spot, cutter.

Durant would also significantly upgrade the secondary rim protection/defensive rebounding from Barnes (who'd have to defend more 3) and Vassell. He could also pair with Sochan and if re-signed Mamukelashvili as 4/5 combos in small ball lineups.

Nobody is trading #2 for Durant. They can get #14 and that's it.

[scott]

Nobody is trading #2 for Durant. They can get #14 and that's it.

Too bad we didn't land #1, we might have been able to trade for LeBron.

[SpursBills]

https://i.postimg.cc/BvwhXscD/KD-Dirk.jpg


Between size, career impact, and play style, pretty good career comp between KD and Nowitzki as GOAT level supersized jump shooters. Dirk also offers a pretty good estimate of how Durant is going to age over the next few years.

3 popular trade targets in Collins, PJ, and Cam Johnson also included for reference.

Graph measures impact, dependent on team context, etc. etc.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

He may in fact be completely broken in 2028... but, the insane thing is thinking he'll agree to any kind of deal where he's getting $10MM to be the 8th option. He'll just retire at that point.

I think there are decent cases to be made for wanting him, or not wanting him... but the "I'll take him under these completely unrealistic conditions" posts are just insanity. Just say you don't want him. It's kind of like last summer when people would chime in to say "I'll give Ainge 2 SRPs and Branham for Lauri". Okay, we get it... you don't want him. You can just say that.

Thank you Scott for educating me!

I was so stupid! Expecting Durant accepting 5th role and MLE is like expecting a retired San Antonio mayor is work as a janitor.

Only a saint is humble enough to do that.

He already won 2 title and won't be able and no need to lower his ego like that.

[TD 21]

Nobody is trading #2 for Durant. They can get #14 and that's it.

There's a better chance of that (in the scenario I mentioned) than the Suns trading Durant for #14.

Homers have taken him no longer being worth a historic haul as him not being worth much at all, as if there isn't a chasm between those two extremes.

[RC_Drunkford]

There's a better chance of that (in the scenario I mentioned) than the Suns trading Durant for #14.

Homers have taken him no longer being worth a historic haul as him not being worth much at all, as if there isn't a chasm between those two extremes.

you are falling for a mock draft written by Spurs hater Kevin O‘Connor who said on multiple occasions that he doesn’t want to see Harper go to San Antonio. Phoenix doesn’t have much leverage here, no matter what KD is worth in your eyes.

[tbdog]

Yes and that's exactly what our players need. One playoff run where they get their butts kicked, so they understand what it takes to win in the postseason. Every championship team had to go through that.

The goal should clearly be to get in the playoffs this season. Then the season after we can talk about contending. That's a pretty good trajectory.

/RC_Drunkford

Spurs have the assets now to really push them to contenders. 14th pick is unlikely to contribute this season, but is possible.

Vassell is out of position now with Harper getting drafted.

Fox, Castle and Harper's stock might even drop as the fit isn't ideal.

West isn't getting worse.

[Duncan2177]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6phJoOrqa_Q

[scott]

/RC_Drunkford

Spurs have the assets now to really push them to contenders. 14th pick is unlikely to contribute this season, but is possible.

Vassell is out of position now with Harper getting drafted.

Fox, Castle and Harper's stock might even drop as the fit isn't ideal.

West isn't getting worse.

Do we? And what are we considering to be contenders? It's just my opinion, but I don't think we still have a decent ways to go (both in what's on the roster now developing further and the holes to fill) and we don't really have a deep war chest of assets. We have no excess FRPs after this year, and it's not like we have a depth of promising young talent to trade for win now pieces either.

I'm optimistic on our future, but I don't think we are that close to being contenders next year. I agree with the premise we need to first take that leap into the playoffs much like OKC did two years ago and HOU did last year. I think we could be contenders in 2 years *if* everything goes just right... but I don't see us being legit contenders next year (just like I didn't view Houston as a legit contender this year).

[Seventyniner]

which is why KD to the Spurs would help them shave off 11 million from their payroll. Also Barnes expiring would give them some more salary relief the season after.

I wonder if the Spurs can entice Phoenix by offering to absorb one of their smaller contracts like Royce O'Neale or Cody Martin into the Spurs MLE as part of the Durant deal. Saves them a lot of tax money, and they can have a couple of seconds back if they want. It would have to be structured as a separate trade but the teams could agree to the entire package in principle and treat it as separate trades for CBA purposes.

[rankingtear]

People are forgetting who they are building around, aside from an elite downhill guard which spurms have already secured for his whole career in Fox + Castle, he needs to play with a high on ball gravity big wing.

[Ice009]

People are forgetting who they are building around, aside from an elite downhill guard which spurms have already secured for his whole career in Fox + Castle, he needs to play with a high on ball gravity big wing.

Are you actually a Spurs fan? Because if you are, stop calling them "Spurms." No actual Spurs fan calls the team that.

[exstatic]

There's a better chance of that (in the scenario I mentioned) than the Suns trading Durant for #14.

Homers have taken him no longer being worth a historic haul as him not being worth much at all, as if there isn't a chasm between those two extremes.

It’s not about homerism. They shopped him around at the deadline without his knowledge, and he’s done. They have to move him before training camp, and he’ll go at a discount because the PHO organization are a bunch of clueless noobs.

[Ice009]

Durant is still an All-Star (some might argue All-NBA) caliber player, who is aging about as well as possible all things considered. He's not taking a massive pay cut or playing some tertiary role offensively and they're not getting him for flotsam and jetsam.

Interesting comment here 2025 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects - ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players) about Jakucionis and Spurs being a potential lading spot before moving up, as well as a comment here NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Top prospects returned to college, but plenty of talent remains. Here's our latest look at every pick - Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-mock-draft-30-top-prospects-returned-to-college-but-plenty-of-talent-remains-heres-our-latest-look-at-every-pick-160546750.html) about not being convinced taking Harper as plan A.

If Jakucionis was (is?) a target, then I wonder if my fake trade has legs. Disclaimer: not advocating for or suggesting Spurs would do this, just guessing that it'd have to be something like the following to consummate: 2, Vassell, K. Johnson to Nets; Claxton, C. Johnson and 19 to Suns; Durant and 8 to Spurs.


Yeah, if I'm the Spurs, I'm not including Harper in a trade for KD at his current age. If he were younger, I'd consider it, but no way would I do it now. And as for Jakucionis, what spot would the Spurs pick him at if they were actually interested?

[objective]

The Wolves trying to trade for Durant during the season recalls that they could try again.

Randle opted in, and the #17 pick plus whatever it took to match salaries would be a better offer than a conservative Spurs offer built around Vassell and 14. Has to be an opt in because I don't think the Sun's can accept a sign and trade

If Durant wants to be in Texas he needs to apply pressure.

[objective]

Spurs have 10 outright bonus second round picks plus 5 of their own unencumbered from swaps through 2031.

Being able to throw 10 seconds into a trade would be quite the record breaker

[RC_Drunkford]

The Wolves trying to trade for Durant during the season recalls that they could try again.

Randle opted in, and the #17 pick plus whatever it took to match salaries would be a better offer than a conservative Spurs offer built around Vassell and 14. Has to be an opt in because I don't think the Sun's can accept a sign and trade

If Durant wants to be in Texas he needs to apply pressure.

not necessarily. Timberpups are a luxury tax team themselves. That means they can’t take back more salary than they send out. Which makes a deal that much harder because neither can Phoenix. They would need a third team to absorb some salary. With Naz Reid expiring as well as Alexander-Walker and Randle having a player option that could get quite complicated.

If Naz opts out and Randle opts in they could trade a McDaniels/Randle package. But they won’t be under the cap, thus not able to absorb any extra salary that Phoenix sends out into cap space to lower their tax bill.

[CGD]

Are we sure we even need to send out 14 for KD? Which of the teams that Durant would agree to be moved to is sending PHX a mega package for him?

It’s really Miami and a Wiggins centered deal. Houston will prioritize Giannis or Brown.

Vasseldonaki should be plenty.

[SpursGenius]

/RC_Drunkford

Spurs have the assets now to really push them to contenders. 14th pick is unlikely to contribute this season, but is possible.

Vassell is out of position now with Harper getting drafted.

Fox, Castle and Harper's stock might even drop as the fit isn't ideal.

West isn't getting worse.
glad you arent the GM. What an idiot.

[tbdog]

glad you arent the GM. What an idiot.

Explain. Because the consensus is that the Spurs should trade for a star this off season.

[tbdog]

glad you arent the GM. What an idiot.

Explain. Because the consensus is that the Spurs should trade for a star this off season.

[Sugus]

Explain. Because the consensus is that the Spurs should trade for a star this off season.

Is it really? The consensus seems to be that the Spurs should make minor, improving moves, while keeping their powder dry and seeing how Harper fits the new roster.

I'm on the "Trade For KD" camp, but even still, I don't feel like trading for other stars or big players (maybe Markannen) is a good move for this off-season, and most people tend to agree from what I see.

[TD 21]

you are falling for a mock draft written by Spurs hater Kevin O‘Connor who said on multiple occasions that he doesn’t want to see Harper go to San Antonio. Phoenix doesn’t have much leverage here, no matter what KD is worth in your eyes.

Not sure how saying 'interesting comment' is akin to "falling for" and as much as I don't like MAGA O'Connor, he's one of the rare high or relatively so profile media who doesn't dislike the Spurs.

Again, not sure how saying 'guessing that it'd have to be something like this to consummate' is akin to that being "worth" Durant, but if the Spurs have significant interest, the Suns have more leverage because they have the asset, so they can trade him elsewhere.

The Timberwolves are the most common team thrown around and that package would have to start with Randle, a borderline All-Star caliber player. If the Spurs flotsam and jetsam was getting it done, he'd have been here at the trade deadline.


It’s not about homerism. They shopped him around at the deadline without his knowledge, and he’s done. They have to move him before training camp, and he’ll go at a discount because the PHO organization are a bunch of clueless noobs.

I'm aware, but again, there's a chasm between historic haul and spare parts and because the Spurs don't have 8/9 to peddle and obviously 2 straight up would be a no go, they need something of significance to be the centerpiece of the package.


Yeah, if I'm the Spurs, I'm not including Harper in a trade for KD at his current age. If he were younger, I'd consider it, but no way would I do it now. And as for Jakucionis, what spot would the Spurs pick him at if they were actually interested?

As I've said, I wouldn't either and more importantly, I don't think the Spurs would.

It reads like or at least I interpreted as Jakicionis would have been an option had the Spurs landed at 8/9.

[exstatic]

Explain. Because the consensus is that the Spurs should trade for a star this off season.

No it’s not. Only really KOC is pushing for that, because he hates them, and wants to see their payroll accelerated so that the team comes apart quicker.

[scott]

Is it really? The consensus seems to be that the Spurs should make minor, improving moves, while keeping their powder dry and seeing how Harper fits the new roster.

I'm on the "Trade For KD" camp, but even still, I don't feel like trading for other stars or big players (maybe Markannen) is a good move for this off-season, and most people tend to agree from what I see.

Yeah, I don’t think the fanbase has formulated anything coming close to a “consensus” of what we want at this point other than taking Harper at 2 (and even then, there are a few that don’t agree)

[Mnky]

There's a better chance of that (in the scenario I mentioned) than the Suns trading Durant for #14.

Homers have taken him no longer being worth a historic haul as him not being worth much at all, as if there isn't a chasm between those two extremes.

The suns need to get rid of him. Theyre not in a position of strength. The owner is paying a big tax bill for a non playoff team that brings lots of negative media. He has a huge contract and it's expiring. They're obviously wanting the most they can get from any team but the 14 is where they should start without a doubt. Most media pundits say the same. A team is doing them a favor taking durant off their books.

[mo7888]

Yeah, I don’t think the fanbase has formulated anything coming close to a “consensus” of what we want at this point other than taking Harper at 2 (and even then, there are a few that don’t agree)

Yup... I'd take Harper at 2 myself, but i wouldn't be against trading it if the FO didn't see him as the best player at 2. It's just hard to see a trade that makes sense out there.

[RC_Drunkford]

Not sure how saying 'interesting comment' is akin to "falling for" and as much as I don't like MAGA O'Connor, he's one of the rare high or relatively so profile media who doesn't dislike the Spurs.

Again, not sure how saying 'guessing that it'd have to be something like this to consummate' is akin to that being "worth" Durant, but if the Spurs have significant interest, the Suns have more leverage because they have the asset, so they can trade him elsewhere.

The Timberwolves are the most common team thrown around and that package would have to start with Randle, a borderline All-Star caliber player. If the Spurs flotsam and jetsam was getting it done, he'd have been here at the trade deadline.



They can trade him elsewhere, but if KD does not verbally agree to extend with that team, then it'll hurt the Suns chances unless a team like the T-Wolves would be fine with a 1-year rental. I'd assume Minnessota will try to get him. If the price is too high, the Spurs should just go into another direction.

[TD 21]

The suns need to get rid of him. Theyre not in a position of strength. The owner is paying a big tax bill for a non playoff team that brings lots of negative media. He has a huge contract and it's expiring. They're obviously wanting the most they can get from any team but the 14 is where they should start without a doubt. Most media pundits say the same. A team is doing them a favor taking durant off their books.

Not in a general sense, but in direct relation to the Spurs in the hypothetical that they have significant interest.

No one is doing the Suns a favor by "taking" a top 20 (most would probably say 15 or even slightly higher) player and the 14th pick is both not good enough quality to be a centerpiece and not aligned with the Suns (foolish) plan of continuing to remain pseudo competitive while re-tooling around Booker.



They can trade him elsewhere, but if KD does not verbally agree to extend with that team, then it'll hurt the Suns chances unless a team like the T-Wolves would be fine with a 1-year rental. I'd assume Minnessota will try to get him. If the price is too high, the Spurs should just go into another direction.

I presume it'll be a prerequisite for any team trading for him doing so with the understanding that he'll extended.

I agree with the last point.

[RC_Drunkford]

Not in a general sense, but in direct relation to the Spurs in the hypothetical that they have significant interest.

No one is doing the Suns a favor by "taking" a top 20 (most would probably say 15 or even slightly higher) player and the 14th pick is both not good enough quality to be a centerpiece and not aligned with the Suns (foolish) plan of continuing to remain pseudo competitive while re-tooling around Booker.




I presume it'll be a prerequisite for any team trading for him doing so with the understanding that he'll extended.

I agree with the last point.

I also think there might be a good chance that Brian Wright can pull off aquiring another asset as a facilitator. A few years back he traded in a couple of second rounders for a future first. I'd assume Phoenix would want a future draft pick that they can use for trades, rather than just getting one in this years draft.

[Mnky]

Not in a general sense, but in direct relation to the Spurs in the hypothetical that they have significant interest.

No one is doing the Suns a favor by "taking" a top 20 (most would probably say 15 or even slightly higher) player and the 14th pick is both not good enough quality to be a centerpiece and not aligned with the Suns (foolish) plan of continuing to remain pseudo competitive while re-tooling around Booker.




I presume it'll be a prerequisite for any team trading for him doing so with the understanding that he'll extended.

I agree with the last point.

We know there was mutual interest already. That's been reported. Spurs clearly have assets the suns are intrigued by. The 14th and future picks would be very lucrative for an expiring contract that they want to move.
Once again, yes, it is absolutely doing them a favor to move a 50 mil contract. Today's salary and apron are not what they used to be. Today's world of 50 mil contracts is much more complicated and burdensome than years past. Of course people weren't making that, but that size of a contract with a losing team and losing media coverage hurts in more ways than one financially for the oowner.at the end of the day you see some of these crazy trades because of money.

Luka is a prime example.

[objective]

Phoenix might be too stupid to know what how bad a bad deal is.

This is the team that traded an unprotected pick for three crappy firsts just to have them, it wasn't even in furtherance of an expected deal

Their current head of basketball operations qualifications for the job is being an assistant at Michigan State when the owner was on the team. He's a college lifer who just recently was fired after 4 losing seasons as coach of South Florida, that guy doesn't know what's going on

[Seventyniner]

Phoenix might be too stupid to know what how bad a bad deal is.

This is the team that traded an unprotected pick for three crappy firsts just to have them, it wasn't even in furtherance of an expected deal

Their current head of basketball operations qualifications for the job is being an assistant at Michigan State when the owner was on the team. He's a college lifer who just recently was fired after 4 losing seasons as coach of South Florida, that guy doesn't know what's going on

Keep trading with the suckers. Too bad the Suns have emptied their draft asset cupboard so much there's nothing left worth trading for. An unprotected 2032 swap is the most they can offer.

[SpursGenius]

Explain. Because the consensus is that the Spurs should trade for a star this off season.


Thats not the consensus. Its just dumb wishful thinking to kill possible dynasty oppurtunity by mortgaging the farm for two old guys like Durant or Giannis. Giannis is a bad fit anyway for what we have to give up for him. KD I would take fir Keldon/Vassell/Sochan and one first rounder but not the number 2 because thats Harper the next super star.

[tbdog]

Thats not the consensus. Its just dumb wishful thinking to kill possible dynasty oppurtunity by mortgaging the farm for two old guys like Durant or Giannis. Giannis is a bad fit anyway for what we have to give up for him. KD I would take fir Keldon/Vassell/Sochan and one first rounder but not the number 2 because thats Harper the next super star.

No one here wants to trade Harper.

[Ice009]

Thats not the consensus. Its just dumb wishful thinking to kill possible dynasty oppurtunity by mortgaging the farm for two old guys like Durant or Giannis. Giannis is a bad fit anyway for what we have to give up for him. KD I would take fir Keldon/Vassell/Sochan and one first rounder but not the number 2 because thats Harper the next super star.

Like, have you even read the thread at all?

Not one person here has suggested trading the number 2 pick/Harper for him, so I am not sure why you're bringing that up.

[SpursGenius]

Like, have you even read the thread at all?

Not one person here has suggested trading the number 2 pick/Harper for him, so I am not sure why you're bringing that up.
I was more alluding to the dumbfuck blogs and podcasts to create clicks.

[Ice009]

I was more alluding to the dumbfuck blogs and podcasts to create clicks.

OK, didn't know that is what/who you were referring to. In that case, I agree with you. I guess they're going for clicks like you said, as if they actually looked at it, they'd see that trading for Giannis or someone like that would leave the team too depleted with no draft picks to replenish it.

[djohn2oo8]

1929909342926450702#10 and salary filler for KD. That’s all.

[mo7888]

1929909342926450702#10 and salary filler for KD. That’s all.

Pretty much...there's no reason to bid against yourself unless we decide to put in an offer.

[exstatic]

1929909342926450702#10 and salary filler for KD. That’s all.

I think you’re in the same situation with Phoenix that we are with Atlanta: they want their picks back, and aren’t willing to do deals with less than that.

[LeBowen]

Aren't KAT and Booker best friends?
Knicks should offer them a 1:1 trade, KAT will always be a defensive liability in the playoffs.

[ginobilized]

Aren't KAT and Booker best friends?
Knicks should offer them a 1:1 trade, KAT will always be a defensive liability in the playoffs.

Boom! That's a trade that makes sense for both teams.

[KobesAchilles]

Boom! That's a trade that makes sense for both teams.
Tbh KAT and KD are pretty much the same player. The difference is that KAT is younger. Both suck defensively and both shoot the ball well. KAT is a better rebounder while KD is better at midrange

[LeBowen]

Tbh KAT and KD are pretty much the same player. The difference is that KAT is younger. Both suck defensively and both shoot the ball well. KAT is a better rebounder while KD is better at midrange

Another difference is that KAT doesn't know how to defend, but literally.
He still commits those same stupid fouls that were an issue when he was younger and he still goes on tilt easily.

[Seventyniner]

Pretty much...there's no reason to bid against yourself unless we decide to put in an offer.

That's where I'm at. Put forth a reasonable offer and if it isn't enough then oh well, move on to other scenarios.

[scottspurs]

The Suns need to realize there won’t be a bidding war for Durant who will be 37 to start next season. Price will only go down closer we get to the season. If they get a 1st rounder and some decent players they have done well. Otherwise they run the risk of it just being a salary dump. It’s the Suns so I wouldn’t be shocked if they waited to long and they have to trade him for some imaginary 2nd round picks and salary filler

[RC_Drunkford]

Tbh KAT and KD are pretty much the same player. The difference is that KAT is younger. Both suck defensively and both shoot the ball well. KAT is a better rebounder while KD is better at midrange

KD is far better than KAT defensively


The Suns need to realize there won’t be a bidding war for Durant who will be 37 to start next season. Price will only go down closer we get to the season. If they get a 1st rounder and some decent players they have done well. Otherwise they run the risk of it just being a salary dump. It’s the Suns so I wouldn’t be shocked if they waited to long and they have to trade him for some imaginary 2nd round picks and salary filler

happened already

1929890590671429800

[KobesAchilles]

KD is far better than KAT defensively



happened already

1929890590671429800
Tbh nobody really wants Durant. He’s 38 years old and will want an extension. Who is trading for that? I’d offer Vassell/Barnes and 2 SRPs.

And also I don’t think KD is going to play any defense at this age and stage of his career. Yeah I. Know KT sucks at defense. I know he sucks at defense. KG said it when he was a rookie that the dude had zero interest in learning how to play defense. My point is that it’s a lateral move and doesn’t actually help the Knicks. Tbh the Knicks should just stay the course and pick up a few role players. The East is super wide open

[KobesAchilles]

Another difference is that KAT doesn't know how to defend, but literally.
He still commits those same stupid fouls that were an issue when he was younger and he still goes on tilt easily.
Yeah I know. When both KG and Butler call out your effort on defense I tend to listen. KAT has zero interest in playing defense. But I think at 38 KD isn’t going to play any defense either. Maybe more than KAT but not by a significant margin. The Knicks don’t need KD tbh. They can win the East next year with the team they have with maybe a few role players added.

[Arguendo]

Vassell + Keldon/Barnes + Branham gets it done
Exactly, and Barnes is still very valuable to a playoff team. Iron man, expiring, elite 3 shooter. But he's redundant with KD, and a piece that can step right in to Phx #4 slot if they think they can compete or spin-off for a couple of 2nds.
Doubt they want Keldon's 3yrs, but Barnes is a perfect fit for a Phx trade because my guess is they will run it back w/o 3 volume scorers.

[RC_Drunkford]

Tbh nobody really wants Durant. He’s 38 years old and will want an extension. Who is trading for that? I’d offer Vassell/Barnes and 2 SRPs.

And also I don’t think KD is going to play any defense at this age and stage of his career. Yeah I. Know KT sucks at defense. I know he sucks at defense. KG said it when he was a rookie that the dude had zero interest in learning how to play defense. My point is that it’s a lateral move and doesn’t actually help the Knicks. Tbh the Knicks should just stay the course and pick up a few role players. The East is super wide open

That's about what the price is for KD. Suns will probably get 1 first, Spurs #14 would be enough. Keldon and Barnes doesn't work salary wise. You'd have to swap Devin for one of them.

I posted KD's defensive numbers, they were still good on the Suns. He often guarded the best player on that team and would have a much easier job on the Spurs. Extension is said to be 111/2. Spurs should be able to get a discount of 90-100/2. I think this rumor has real legs.

[Leetonidas]

I wonder who runs Wembys FB page. Just posted a pic of him and KD at the Olympics:lol dudes trolling us

[T Park]

check out the Gambo and Ash show in Phoenix today.

Gambo very tied into the Suns "Watch out for San Antonio"

[mudyez]

I'm not high in KD but if it was for Vassell+Barnes (I'm just a sucker for Keldon "The Power of Friendship" Johnson) and some seconds, I'd be ok with it. Might even make Wemby happy as KD is his idol.

If it was #14 instead of the seconds, I'm hesitant and probably would like to wait, who is on the board come that pick. Fleming, Sorber and Maluach (OKC had him at #14 but I don't see it) are way to interesting to pass up.

After all KD isn't getting us any ships...just playoff experience. (unless there is a HUGHE surprise and maybe some injuries to eg SGA)

[scott]

I posted KD's defensive numbers, they were still good on the Suns.

He was a bottom third percentile defender in Crafted D-DPM, Lebron D-DPM, DARKO D-DPM and Actual D-EPM last season. Sometimes those metrics can be deceiving, but when all of them line up it’s usually a pretty telling sign. I think he was all the way down at 15th percentile Lebron D-DPM.

[RC_Drunkford]

check out the Gambo and Ash show in Phoenix today.

Gambo very tied into the Suns "Watch out for San Antonio"

was just about to post this

1930076223486779869

1930081631831752989


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0MFbw8qy0I

[exstatic]

I'm not high in KD but if it was for Vassell+Barnes (I'm just a sucker for Keldon "The Power of Friendship" Johnson) and some seconds, I'd be ok with it. Might even make Wemby happy as KD is his idol.

If it was #14 instead of the seconds, I'm hesitant and probably would like to wait, who is on the board come that pick. Fleming, Sorber and Maluach (OKC had him at #14 but I don't see it) are way to interesting to pass up.

After all KD isn't getting us any ships...just playoff experience. (unless there is a HUGHE surprise and maybe some injuries to eg SGA)

Most draft night pick trades happen that way.

[Dejounte]

Bring him on!! Vassell ,keldon,pick is hardly a loss

[Dejounte]

https://youtube.com/shorts/eerwQcDkS6M?feature=shared<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/eerwQcDkS6M?feature=shared">
https://youtube.com/shorts/eerwQcDkS6M?feature=shared (https://youtube.com/shorts/eerwQcDkS6M?feature=shared)

[scottspurs]

Bring him on!! Vassell ,keldon,pick is hardly a loss

What I like about it is the cap space it clears up for 2026 offseason. The Shooting vastly improves having him and Harrison Barnes still on the team. Vassell, Keldon and 14 is the max offer I’m willing to give though. No additional draft capital. Then you spend every resource left looking for rebounders that can bang down low.

[SpursFan86]

What I like about it is the cap space it clears up for 2026 offseason. The Shooting vastly improves having him and Harrison Barnes still on the team. Vassell, Keldon and 14 is the max offer I’m willing to give though. No additional draft capital. Then you spend every resource left looking for rebounders that can bang down low.

Agreed. Only issue is are you fine with extending KD for another 2 years at $50MM+ per year? Assuming he’s not going to take any sort of pay cut, which is probably the case…

If the answer is no, then we’re pretty much saying we’ll give up #14 to move on from Keldon/Vassell’s contracts and get a 1 year rental of KD. It absolutely makes us more competitive this year but I think most here agree that it’s not like we’re contenders with KD.

[spursparker9]

As long as not Castle and Harper. Okay with #14 and future 1st round and Vassell + Keldon + whoever.

We are stacked!

New death lineup

Wemby, KD, Castle, Harper, Fox.

[scottspurs]

Agreed. Only issue is are you fine with extending KD for another 2 years at $50MM+ per year? Assuming he’s not going to take any sort of pay cut, which is probably the case…

If the answer is no, then we’re pretty much saying we’ll give up #14 to move on from Keldon/Vassell’s contracts and get a 1 year rental of KD. It absolutely makes us more competitive this year but I think most here agree that it’s not like we’re contenders with KD.

Under no circumstance am I extending 37 year old Durant. I’m fine with the 1-year rental because KD and Barnes coming off the books frees up over 70 million. The 2026 free agent class is elite as of right now. If it works out I would definitely be interested in brining KD and Barnes back for 2026 but I’m not making that decision now whether it makes them happy or not.

Let Wemby learn some moves from KD much like how Chris Paul helped a lot of our young players last season. I look at it like this. Year 1 Wemby learned from Coach Pop. Year 2 he learned from Chris Paul. Year 3 he learns from his basketball idol KD. Year 4 he takes over the NBA. School is over and it’s time for him to school the league. I’m looking at next season as a year to make the playoffs. Maybe win a series. Get some experience. Then it’s time to contend. Empty the chamber and put the best possible team together.

[Chillen]

We would be fringe contenders with Durant. I'll take it.

[vy65]

Can we make him play for the Austin Spurs and bring our boy home?

[scottspurs]

If the deal is any more than Vassell, Keldon and 14 I’m out.

If Durant wants an immediate extension I’m out.

If you tell me the Spurs are not going to find a rebounder. Someone that can bang down low I’m out. I would rather play Durant and Barnes at the 3 even if the Defense suffers. Regular Season great offense will beat out great defense. The goal is not championship next year it’s playoff experience.

[Excessive Egotist]

If the deal is any more than Vassell, Keldon and 14 I’m out.

If Durant wants an immediate extension I’m out.

If you tell me the Spurs are not going to find a rebounder. Someone that can bang down low I’m out. I would rather play Durant and Barnes at the 3 even if the Defense suffers. Regular Season great offense will beat out great defense. The goal is not championship next year it’s playoff experience.

Full agreement with this take. I don't understand the desire to blow our wad on an injury prone player deep into his 30s. Presti's infinite timeline is a better approach.

[Seventyniner]

I like the phrasing "aggressively trying to trade KD", means a lower asking price.

[Excessive Egotist]

The Spurs are not in a position to beat OKC, even with Durant. The Spurs need more long term, high end talent and quality depth. The Spurs "are ready to go" takes are premature. Durant might get us to the conference finals once in the next couple years, and then he is nearing retirement. Is it worth it for the Spurs in order to get stomped by OKC and then, when the wheels fall off Durant, reset back to the same position they're in now in 2027. A Durant move is super short-sighted.

[RC_Drunkford]

this is the main thing people are overlooking: KD wants to come here

1930265754697392520


If the deal is any more than Vassell, Keldon and 14 I’m out.

If Durant wants an immediate extension I’m out.

If you tell me the Spurs are not going to find a rebounder. Someone that can bang down low I’m out. I would rather play Durant and Barnes at the 3 even if the Defense suffers. Regular Season great offense will beat out great defense. The goal is not championship next year it’s playoff experience.

Spurs will try to get Okongwu from the Hawks for that


Agreed. Only issue is are you fine with extending KD for another 2 years at $50MM+ per year? Assuming he’s not going to take any sort of pay cut, which is probably the case…

If the answer is no, then we’re pretty much saying we’ll give up #14 to move on from Keldon/Vassell’s contracts and get a 1 year rental of KD. It absolutely makes us more competitive this year but I think most here agree that it’s not like we’re contenders with KD.

Rumor has it he's willing to extend for a discount. Not a discount of 20 million per year though. Something in the ballpark of 45-50 instead of 55 million per year. Bringing on KD could also help to negotiate a slight discount on Fox extension. And yeah if we trade for KD, we are absolutely extending him to have a 3-year window.

[RC_Drunkford]

The Spurs are not in a position to beat OKC, even with Durant. The Spurs need more long term, high end talent and quality depth. The Spurs "are ready to go" takes are premature. Durant might get us to the conference finals once in the next couple years, and then he is nearing retirement. Is it worth it for the Spurs in order to get stomped by OKC and then, when the wheels fall off Durant, reset back to the same position they're in now in 2027. A Durant move is super short-sighted.

It's not short sighted if all you are trading is the #14th pick, Vassell and either Barnes or Keldon. The Spurs will draft another high end talent in Harper. What they need to do after getting KD is add other rotation pieces. Like I said, they supposedly are looking at Okongwu from ATL and I really want them to spend the MLE on LaRavia.

OKC is far from a superteam and the NBA is wide open. This move is perfect because you get KD while Castle and Wemby are still on rookie contracts. It's actually the move I've been hoping for since we won the lottery in 2023.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Encouraging news. Spurs will be so much better with Durant. If the price is only Keldon, Vassell and 14 this would be a robbery. His extension will be fine as well, Spurs can handle it.

[vy65]

https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2021/12/durant-gervin-tribute.jpg

[Chillen]

If the deal is any more than Vassell, Keldon and 14 I’m out.

If Durant wants an immediate extension I’m out.

If you tell me the Spurs are not going to find a rebounder. Someone that can bang down low I’m out. I would rather play Durant and Barnes at the 3 even if the Defense suffers. Regular Season great offense will beat out great defense. The goal is not championship next year it’s playoff experience.

The end goal is always a championship for any NBA team. If you go out and play a professional game and think I can't win it all you are in the wrong sport.

[LeBowen]

The biggest issue with Vassell going the other way is that we'd need to find a third team.
Unless Suns are blowing it up and also trading Booker, they won't take Vassell.

[Dejounte]

It's not short sighted if all you are trading is the #14th pick, Vassell and either Barnes or Keldon. The Spurs will draft another high end talent in Harper. What they need to do after getting KD is add other rotation pieces. Like I said, they supposedly are looking at Okongwu from ATL and I really want them to spend the MLE on LaRavia.

OKC is far from a superteam and the NBA is wide open. This move is perfect because you get KD while Castle and Wemby are still on rookie contracts. It's actually the move I've been hoping for since we won the lottery in 2023.

where is this okongwu rumor coming from? Hes who i want sorber to be and its perfect

[exstatic]

Encouraging news. Spurs will be so much better with Durant. If the price is only Keldon, Vassell and 14 this would be a robbery. His extension will be fine as well, Spurs can handle it.

His extension will end just before Castle’s comes on line. They’ll have one year of Wemby/Fox/Durant all being paid, but with the contracts being sent out, one year will be fine.

[Mugen]

If the price for KD is Devin/Keldon/14th, I'd pay for the air fare myself tbh.

[RC_Drunkford]

where is this okongwu rumor coming from? Hes who i want sorber to be and its perfect

I heard a rumor. Don't know if it's true but this dude has been calling KD to the Spurs since February. Apparently the Spurs are looking at Okongwu and several outlets said there's some noise about the Spurs trying to draft Maluach. Maluach is one of the few players in the draft that's signed to Klutch. Some people been saying Klutch is trying to help the Spurs build this roster.

All of this has made me come to the conclusion that the Spurs are probably putting the ATL 27 pick up. Either for Okongwu or to move up in the draft and get Maluach as a plan B. Makes sense because if you get KD you might as well fix all the other holes while you're at it, so we can contend right away. Besides that ATL has built a pretty good roster around Trae and I have no clue how good the 2027 draft is. That's just my assumption though.


The biggest issue with Vassell going the other way is that we'd need to find a third team.
Unless Suns are blowing it up and also trading Booker, they won't take Vassell.

not sure, Phoenix has lowered their asking price. At this point they are glad to get something back. One thing could be Devin to ATL and Okongwu to the Spurs + filler to Phoenix. Or Devin to Cavs for Allen or Nets for Claxton and that big to Phoenix. Plenty of possibilities.

[vy65]

PHX:
Vassell
Branham
#14

SAS
KD
OO

ATL
Keldon
HB
ATL 2027 FRP
2025 SRP #38

Who says no? Probably ATL?

[scottspurs]

The end goal is always a championship for any NBA team. If you go out and play a professional game and think I can't win it all you are in the wrong sport.

The Spurs need to make the playoffs before they can even think about championships.

[exstatic]

The Spurs need to make the playoffs before they can even think about championships.

People here don’t understand just how fast it’s going to happen. Imagine the Wemby/Fox PnR. It’s going to be a fucking problem. Now, imagine help coming, and KD left unguarded. Completely unguarded. Now, imagine the KD/Wemby PnR. Un fucking guardable.

If the Spurs trade for KD and sign him to a two year extension, it will happen in those three years.

[scottspurs]

People here don’t understand just how fast it’s going to happen. Imagine the Wemby/Fox PnR. It’s going to be a fucking problem. Now, imagine help coming, and KD left unguarded. Completely unguarded. Now, imagine the KD/Wemby PnR. Un fucking guardable.

If the Spurs trade for KD and sign him to a two year extension, it will happen in those three years.

That would be awesome! Hope you are right, but I definitely have concerns with KD’s health history and the potential for the spurs getting destroyed on the boards like they did last season.

[John B]

People here don’t understand just how fast it’s going to happen. Imagine the Wemby/Fox PnR. It’s going to be a fucking problem. Now, imagine help coming, and KD left unguarded. Completely unguarded. Now, imagine the KD/Wemby PnR. Un fucking guardable.

If the Spurs trade for KD and sign him to a two year extension, it will happen in those three years.

I assume KD plays SF? Who’s your target for starting PF and backup C?

[LeBowen]

I assume KD plays SF? Who’s your target for starting PF and backup C?

KD can't play SF anymore, too slow.
We'd ideally get an elite defender at SF...if only Jeremy could shoot.

[exstatic]

I assume KD plays SF? Who’s your target for starting PF and backup C?

With KD playing opposite, you can absolutely start Sochan. For backup C, you can grab almost anyone who can rebound and defend a bit. Capela, Lopez, hell even Biyambo did a good job at the tail end of the season, coming in cold.

[LeBowen]

With KD playing opposite, you can absolutely start Sochan. For backup C, you can grab almost anyone who can rebound and defend a bit. Capela, Lopez, hell even Biyambo did a good job at the tail end of the season, coming in cold.

The question is if we can start Sochan and Castle, not if we can start Sochan and KD.

Also, trends are always set by the best teams. If our guards can penetrate the paint enough and if KD/Wemby are efficent enough from perimeter and mid-range, others will have to adjust to the Spurs because even if rebounding stays suboptimal, very few teams will be able to keep up with the Spurs offensive output.

[RC_Drunkford]

Okongwu could play minutes at the 4 next to Wemby as well as back up C.

I‘d sign LaRavia with the MLE. He‘s mobile enough to play the 3 and the 4. He can switch on to guards and he’s a shooter. Those 2 with KD and Sochan would give you plenty of line up possibilities and we‘d still have Champagnie.

[LeBowen]

Okongwu could play minutes at the 4 next to Wemby as well as back up C.

I‘d sign LaRavia with the MLE. He‘s mobile enough to play the 3 and the 4. He can switch on to guards and he’s a shooter. Those 2 with KD and Sochan would give you plenty of line up possibilities and we‘d still have Champagnie.

Something like this?

Fox/Harper
Castle/-
Sochan/LaRavia
KD/Champagnie
Wemby/Okongwu

Looks like a solid 9 man rotation. Okongwu isn't a completel non-shooter, he punished Spurs for daring him to shoot in Fox's debut.

[cd98]

I'd probably offer the Suns a lottery protected pick for Durant. Maybe one next year. They have no choice but to trade Durant and if he decides he wants to come here, why give up the 14th pick when you can get him for less? I'm not sure many people can absorb his contract, extend him, and surround him with young talent that he could lead to a deep run in the playoffs, assuming health. Durant fills a position of need for the Spurs and if we could do a two year deal, it would be a perfect transition. My guess is he will still be a good player for the next two years and certainly will be a good shooter. He will probably exclusively play the 4 spot. The only other real competition is Houston, but playing with Fox, Castle, Harper, and Wemby would have to be more appealing.

[scott]

Something like this?

Fox/Harper
Castle/-
Sochan/LaRavia
KD/Champagnie
Wemby/Okongwu

Looks like a solid 9 man rotation. Okongwu isn't a completel non-shooter, he punished Spurs for daring him to shoot in Fox's debut.

This is effectively what Mo and I have talked about in another thread. Add NAW to that mix, and swap Champ with Sochan (you can start either Champ or LaRavia) and I think you're golden. Until Sochan can shoot at least semi-respectably, I don't think he can start. We're playing 4 on 5 with him until then.

[mo7888]

I wonder, if in the framework of the deal we've been discussing for KD/and/or Okongwu, if there's a way to involve a 4th team to make Phoenix better next year? At least make them mediocre so Houston doesn't end up with high lottery picks from their Phoenix picks.