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

[Mnky]

How do people view current KD when compared to a player like Markkanen. Better fit, better player, worse or a wash?

KD is still All NBA. He's in arguments for best SF every year. His fit is perfect next to Wemby both defense and offense wise. It's also perfect for him as he doesn't have to burden so much at his age.

Lauri would be a great addition but him and Wemby are the same type of player position wise. They don't fit as well as Durant but definitely can fit well together. They're both all around players and can adapt to each other when needed. Long term would be great but the price would likely be two or three times more than Durant. He hasn't been traded yet for a reason.

They want a ransom

[exstatic]

maybe, but I don’t really conflate the two situations because teams going after Fox wanted to sign him for a significantly longer time than teams that want Durant he’s got two, maybe three years left but Fox could be with the team for 6-7 years. The longer the team thinks they can keep the player the more leverage the player has by saying he won’t resign.

You’re still seeing this backwards. It doesn’t matter what teams are willing to pay, or for how many years. Durant has to want to sign.. No one is breaking the bank for a 37 YO on an ending contract without an agreement to extend.

[tbdog]

KD is still All NBA. He's in arguments for best SF every year. His fit is perfect next to Wemby both defense and offense wise. It's also perfect for him as he doesn't have to burden so much at his age.

Lauri would be a great addition but him and Wemby are the same type of player position wise. They don't fit as well as Durant but definitely can fit well together. They're both all around players and can adapt to each other when needed. Long term would be great but the price would likely be two or three times more than Durant. He hasn't been traded yet for a reason.

They want a ransom

Here is an interesting debate. Would you trade an extra spurs pick for Lauri or one less for KD?

[RC_Drunkford]

Maybe something like:

Durant to SA
Claxton, Barnes 26 and 27 to Phoenix
Vassell and 14 to Brooklyn

that's increasing the asking price. We're not putting up 3 picks to get KD. It's gon be 1 first and maybe a gang of seconds for Phoenix. We might try to get another rotation piece from that 3rd team as well and use an ATL pick for it. My guess is it's either Atlanta, Utah or NOLA. There are even rumors that ATL might ship Trae out to Phoenix, which makes zero sense to me.

Here is an interesting debate. Would you trade an extra spurs pick for Lauri or one less for KD?

I take KD everytime and that's also due to Lauri's contract.

I don't know, months later if feels like the Spurs overpaid. Fox and Spurs had all the leverage, Kings got 2 unprotected picks plus a 20+ scorer. The Minny pick itself was a lot.

A disgruntled 1-year player who needed surgery and had arguably already peaked athletically, which was most of his game?

Spurs paid heavy.

I don't want Durant if the cost is too high.

yeah man why didn't we trade Manu in 2006 and Tony in 2010 after they already peaked athletically. We would've won more chips with Duncan in his 30s, although he already peaked athletically in 2004. In 5 years we'll have to trade Wemby once he starts declining.

[Ice009]

I don't know, months later if feels like the Spurs overpaid. Fox and Spurs had all the leverage, Kings got 2 unprotected picks plus a 20+ scorer. The Minny pick itself was a lot.

A disgruntled 1-year player who needed surgery and had arguably already peaked athletically, which was most of his game?

Spurs paid heavy.

I don't want Durant if the cost is too high.

What?
Terrible post.

[Seventyniner]

that's increasing the asking price. We're not putting up 3 picks to get KD. It's gon be 1 first and maybe a gang of seconds for Phoenix. We might try to get another rotation piece from that 3rd team as well and use an ATL pick for it. My guess is it's either Atlanta, Utah or NOLA. There are even rumors that ATL might ship Trae out to Phoenix, which makes zero sense to me.

The #26 and #27 are coming from Brooklyn. The Spurs would only send out one pick, #14.

That trade is a combo of Vassell + Barnes + #14 for KD with Vassell + #14 for Claxton + #26 + #27. Maybe the Nets wouldn't do that but maybe they would, and it gets an extra pick to the Suns plus a center they need.

[Leetonidas]

that's increasing the asking price. We're not putting up 3 picks to get KD. It's gon be 1 first and maybe a gang of seconds for Phoenix. We might try to get another rotation piece from that 3rd team as well and use an ATL pick for it. My guess is it's either Atlanta, Utah or NOLA. There are even rumors that ATL might ship Trae out to Phoenix, which makes zero sense to me.



I take KD everytime and that's also due to Lauri's contract.




yeah man why didn't we trade Manu in 2006 and Tony in 2010 after they already peaked athletically. We would've won more chips with Duncan in his 30s, although he already peaked athletically in 2004. In 5 years we'll have to trade Wemby once he starts declining.

To clarify I meant the 26th and 27th picks BKN owns in this draft, not our 26 and 27 picks

[Seventyniner]

To clarify I meant the 26th and 27th picks BKN owns in this draft, not our 26 and 27 picks

I thought it was clear at first, but now that you point this out I can totally understand why it could have been read the other way.

[exstatic]

The #26 and #27 are coming from Brooklyn. The Spurs would only send out one pick, #14.

That trade is a combo of Vassell + Barnes + #14 for KD with Vassell + #14 for Claxton + #26 + #27. Maybe the Nets wouldn't do that but maybe they would, and it gets an extra pick to the Suns plus a center they need.

I don’t see Phoenix doing it without receiving #14. They’re sending out the biggest player asset, and would expect to receive the best draft asset.

[RC_Drunkford]

To clarify I meant the 26th and 27th picks BKN owns in this draft, not our 26 and 27 picks

my bad, I thought you meant the ATL swap and pick

[TimDunkem]

KD is a great target since you won't need to give up 2 or Castle.

14th + their choice of our trash (Barnes, Vassell, KJ). The only thing is that another team can probably put together a better deal, but who is willing to do that? KD is at the end of his career.

[montgod]

KD is a great target since you won't need to give up 2 or Castle.

14th + their choice of our trash (Barnes, Vassell, KJ). The only thing is that another team can probably put together a better deal, but who is willing to do that? KD is at the end of his career.

I'm okay with this even though I don't like losing out on a younger, talented player at #14 but it's really up to the FO and who they envision being more valuable at that spot when their pick comes up. Obviously, they won't make the deal if they feel a player is in their range that could be a diamond in the rough like a KL.

However, any thoughts of adding Nick Richards to the trade since he's on a 1 yr deal at 5mill (partially guaranteed) if indeed the trade moves forward? Would easily still work with any 2 of Vassell, KJ, Barnes and throwing in Wesley. He's serviceable as big down low w/some defensive ability.

[Kevin]

Lauri VS KD is an interesting topic.

If the price for KD really is Dev/Barnes and the 14 I'd be will to do that for Lauri plus the Spurs 2029 first unprotected. Lauri had a down season this year so his price drops as a buy low player.

Seems like KD is a done deal though.

[Dejounte]

Keldon, Branham, Sochan, Harrison Ingram, Castle, Minix all were volunteering for Food Bank.

No Vassell and some others… hmmm….

[spurraider21]

with Lauri, offensively he's basically a perfect fit. he's a heck of a shotmaker who doesnt need to dominate possessions to get his. in addition to his volume shooting he's one of the better closeout-beaters in the game and attacks the rim pretty aggressively. he's typically been a good enough rebounder too.

his issue is defensively where he's a non-factor. like, he's ok as a man defender. but as a team/help defender there really isnt much happening there.

he'd also be more expensive to acquire than Durant given his age. also gives you less flexiblity given his 4 year deal is about to kick in. but as far as being a complement to Wemby and Fox, its hard to think of anybody better than Lauri.

i think to land Lauri we'd have to send out #2, but could angle to get #5 back. send them a future swap as well. rest of the parts not too dissimilar from the KD stuff. or if we really insist on #2 not being part of the deal, we'd probably need to send Castle as part of the package alongside 14

[Dverde]

Keldon, Branham, Sochan, Harrison Ingram, Castle, Minix all were volunteering for Food Bank.

No Vassell and some others… hmmm….

Vassell probably out buying more ugly expensive clothes. I guess it’s still better than being at the strip club with Hardin.

[SpurSpike]

What if the Hawks went after Durant... That would really screw us, lol.

[Dverde]

Lauri VS KD is an interesting topic.

If the price for KD really is Dev/Barnes and the 14 I'd be will to do that for Lauri plus the Spurs 2029 first unprotected. Lauri had a down season this year so his price drops as a buy low player.

Seems like KD is a done deal though.

can we trade from someone not making between 46-54M a year? Poeltl at 20M seems like a bargain

[Dverde]

What if the Hawks went after Durant... That would really screw us, lol.

Denver makes the most sense to me assuming Phoenix sees value in MPJ. Joker seems to have a couple exceptional years left before he gets tired of the grind and goes off to the horse ranch.

[Kevin]

can we trade from someone not making between 46-54M a year? Poeltl at 20M seems like a bargain

Dev makes 28M for the next four years while Lauri gets about 46M over the same time frame. They can afford a Dev for Lauri swap.

[RC_Drunkford]

Keldon, Branham, Sochan, Harrison Ingram, Castle, Minix all were volunteering for Food Bank.

No Vassell and some others… hmmm….

Devin is usually out of San Antonio in the offseason. He's not really around at that time and works out elsewhere. He was in Spain longer than all the other guys at the NBPA facility. Minnix should get a contract next season and be on the main roster.

What if the Hawks went after Durant... That would really screw us, lol.

they might actually clean house instead

[Mr. Body]

Denver makes the most sense to me assuming Phoenix sees value in MPJ. Joker seems to have a couple exceptional years left before he gets tired of the grind and goes off to the horse ranch.

Phoenix is trying to get out of salary. That's one of the main motivations here.

[Mr. Body]

Denver makes the most sense to me assuming Phoenix sees value in MPJ. Joker seems to have a couple exceptional years left before he gets tired of the grind and goes off to the horse ranch.

Phoenix is trying to get out of salary. That's one of the main motivations here.

[SupremeGuy]

with Lauri, offensively he's basically a perfect fit. he's a heck of a shotmaker who doesnt need to dominate possessions to get his. in addition to his volume shooting he's one of the better closeout-beaters in the game and attacks the rim pretty aggressively. he's typically been a good enough rebounder too.

his issue is defensively where he's a non-factor. like, he's ok as a man defender. but as a team/help defender there really isnt much happening there.

he'd also be more expensive to acquire than Durant given his age. also gives you less flexiblity given his 4 year deal is about to kick in. but as far as being a complement to Wemby and Fox, its hard to think of anybody better than Lauri.

i think to land Lauri we'd have to send out #2, but could angle to get #5 back. send them a future swap as well. rest of the parts not too dissimilar from the KD stuff. or if we really insist on #2 not being part of the deal, we'd probably need to send Castle as part of the package alongside 14

Pretty sure the trading the 2 pick is a nonstarter. Unless his name is Luka or Joker. lol

I think either Lauri or KD will fit.

ing hate this though. We're all getting hyped up for that probably isn't going to happen. lol

[RC_Drunkford]