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

[Spur4ever]

I’d love to see if we could snag Trey Murphy from the Pels. #2 for #7 and Trey. Then draft Knueppel at 7. Pels are rumored to wanting to move up to 2.

[Mr. Body]

Eh, this is copium, but I don't take Shams' comments to mean the Spurs are out of it. He references the possibility of a wild card team coming in - and - all he says is that Phoenix is focused on MIA/HOU/MIN, not that KD would be willing to extend with those places. Which is a necessary part of the equation. He didn't sound definitive at all.

I agree with this, but the presence of so many other teams means the price is ratcheting up. I do think the Spurs had a bid and aren't willing to go past that line. IMO it might have been the 14 with Vassel and Barnes and no more. They're still around, but they're willing to walk away.

[SpursFan86]

Spurs still favorites fwiw (admittedly could be not much). Clearly Vegas still views SA as being in the KD sweepstakes.

At least it sounds like this will all be coming to a conclusion one way or another over the next 2-3 days. Would hate for this to drag out all the way to the draft.

[LeBowen]

I agree with this, but the presence of so many other teams means the price is ratcheting up. I do think the Spurs had a bid and aren't willing to go past that line. IMO it might have been the 14 with Vassel and Barnes and no more. They're still around, but they're willing to walk away.

Vassell is the issue, tbh.
Suns would need a third team to find someone who actually fits their roster while Timberwolves, Rockets and Heat all have those players.

I wonder if he was made available just because it's KD or if Spurs actually plan to move him this offseason.

[benefactor]

Eh, this is copium, but I don't take Shams' comments to mean the Spurs are out of it. He references the possibility of a wild card team coming in - and - all he says is that Phoenix is focused on MIA/HOU/MIN, not that KD would be willing to extend with those places. Which is a necessary part of the equation. He didn't sound definitive at all.

Once again, we all need to remember shams works for ESPN. He probably already knows who it is but he also knows he has to keep the traffic coming until it's actually done.

[td4mvp2k]

60 pages of BS lol

[RC_Drunkford]

I didn't read this as the Spurs being out of the running, but instead the Spurs submitted their best offer and told the Suns to go out and find other teams to top it if they could.

KD also has to weigh in on whether he would sign an extension with any of the other teams, and if those teams care.

nah they submitted a lowball offer without including #14. I even doubt they included Vassell or Sochan. They seem to try pulling another Deaaron Fox type fleece here. Makes sense, since San Antonio is KD's preferred destination, but the Suns might just say it and send him elsewhere, because that's a terrible return.

my read on this would be Gobert going to Phoenix and Claxton coming to Minny

that would actually a smart move by Minny. That way they shave off about 20 million for their starting C. I just don't see what Brooklyn gets out of it. Both apron teams don't have any picks to trade.

i just really wonder who the trade-up target from 14 would be. i dont think it would be carter bryant, as i think theres already a reasonable chance of him making it to 14. the only ones i could really think of is Kon or Maluach

most likely Maluach. Seems like the Spurs love the idea of having another Wemby sized center

Time to find yourself a new avatar, tbh.

I'm riding this out til the bitter end

And I still hope we draft Harper, which in this case seems more likely.

[RC_Drunkford]

Miami apparently really wants to add KD and DeRozan, but they don't want to give up Ware.

Minnesota would need a third team to help facilitate, but doesn't have any draft assets to pay that team for their efforts.

Houston got the best assets to match, but they also seem to lowball Phoenix because they really want Booker.

Bottom line is, every team is trying to fleece the Suns, which gives the Spurs a good chance. The counter argument is that the Spurs are by far the stingiest suitor.

[thOOdee]

I'm fine with this too. draft harper and hope for either essengue, sorber, bryant, or flemming in that order and call it a day. Maybe package 38 to move up and guarantee essengue, and there's your future durant who will be playing side by side with your star for years to come.

[sfernald]

You can keep two of them in the game all game long and at times play all three together. That would give the Spurs a tremendous advantage in the backcourt against anyone in the league.

There are plenty of minutes to give all of them enough total game time on the court.

Yeah if we just gave Fox, Castle and Harper all 96 guard minutes in the game, that would be 32 minutes each. If we did that, and didn’t play Wesley or Branham or any other crappy guards, we would be so much better just for that reason. We would have two quality guards on the floor controlling the ball at all times. Think about that. It would really elevate our teams success. Add a quality backup center and we will make a strong playoff run next year I’m certain.

[vy65]

Is Wiggins, Robinson, Jacquez, and #20 better than Barnes, Vassell, and #14? Maybe, but not by much.

Is Gobert, DiVincenzo, and #17 better? Again, maybe but not by much

Houston can be in the driver's seat if they're willing to include JSJ and #10, but I'd really think hard about those two assets if I were Houston.

[BatManu20]

Despite his offensive shortcomings, Timberwolves are underestimating how important Gobert is to their defense. Their interior D will take a significant step back next year without him imo if they move him for KD.

[vy65]

Also, aren't the wolves in apron ? How are they gonna extend KD at 60MM+ for 2 years?

[Dverde]

Nobody giving KD 60M per. He’s a second banana at this point of his career.

[Ocotillo]

If Vassell is to be involved in a trade for Durant, someone other than Phoenix will need to take him. Why would they want him if they have Beal and Booker?

[LeBowen]

Gobert got exposed in the playoffs yet again, he's turning 33, TWolves can't win it all with him.
They'll obviously look to acquire another big, but Gobert is way overpaid for his impact.

Wolves will be at ~$173M after Naz declines his option and they don't take Minott and Garza for another year. NAW is obviously gone.
First apron will be at ~$196M and second at ~$208M.

There's some maneuvering space for them.
Let's say they trade Gobert, DiVincenzo and Dillingham for KD and Naz extension is ~$25M, they'll be ~$10M under the second apron.
That's with Randle picking up his ~$30M option.

Then they'll try to find a point guard and a big in a trade with Randle going the other way.

[cd98]

Gobert got exposed in the playoffs yet again, he's turning 33, TWolves can't win it all with him.
They'll obviously look to acquire another big, but Gobert is way overpaid for his impact.

Wolves will be at ~$173M after Naz declines his option and they don't take Minott and Garza for another year. NAW is obviously gone.
First apron will be at ~$196M and second at ~$208M.

There's some maneuvering space for them.
Let's say they trade Gobert, DiVincenzo and Dillingham for KD and Naz extension is ~$25M, they'll be ~$10M under the second apron.
That's with Randle picking up his ~$30M option.

Then they'll try to find a point guard and a big in a trade with Randle going the other way.

If Minnesota doesn't want Gobert, who does given how much he is paid and how playoff teams deem him unplayable in the playoffs?

[LeBowen]

If Minnesota doesn't want Gobert, who does given how much he is paid and how playoff teams deem him unplayable in the playoffs?

Suns are a perfect partner because they're desperate for a big and don't have assets to get anyone relevant.
Suns, Rockets, Heat or Spurs won't give them one, either. It's down to if they'd accept Gobert.

To be unplayable in the playoffs you have to get there, which Suns will be trying to do. Gobert is still good for the regular season.

[RC_Drunkford]

by the way Shams and Ishbia are friends. So it's not far fetched that Shams is doing him a solid here with the reporting.

[Mr. Body]

If Minnesota doesn't want Gobert, who does given how much he is paid and how playoff teams deem him unplayable in the playoffs?

I wasn't sure myself, but the Suns make a lot of sense. His contract dives by like eight million next year for some reason and isn't really horrible anymore, and he fixes one of the hugest problems Phoenix has right now with no good centers and pretty bad defense. If the Suns want to be somewhat respectable and protect their picks, this isn't a bad move.

[Davidicus]

That’s the thing about staying strong on your offer, you win either way.

I’m looking forward to this offseason and next season!

[rascal]

Yeah if we just gave Fox, Castle and Harper all 96 guard minutes in the game, that would be 32 minutes each. If we did that, and didn’t play Wesley or Branham or any other crappy guards, we would be so much better just for that reason. We would have two quality guards on the floor controlling the ball at all times. Think about that. It would really elevate our teams success. Add a quality backup center and we will make a strong playoff run next year I’m certain.

You might have to give a couple minutes a game to Wesley/Branham - if he shows a little, but those guys get pushed deeper on the bench and will play mostly in blowouts or comfortable leads or losing by a wide margin.

[rascal]

i dont like Vassell + 14 for Kon, personally. think its an overpay. im also not as high on Kon as some here. i like him, but i still have big questions about him on both ends.

if somebody like bailey or tre is falling, id jump on that though

Agree

Need to trade Vassell for someone on the frontline. He's the Spurs biggest trade chip and they need to use it wisely, not blow it on a backup 2 guard.

[rascal]

i dont like Vassell + 14 for Kon, personally. think its an overpay. im also not as high on Kon as some here. i like him, but i still have big questions about him on both ends.

if somebody like bailey or tre is falling, id jump on that though

Agree

Need to trade Vassell for someone on the frontline. He's the Spur's biggest trade chip and they need to use it wisely, not blow it on a backup 2 guard.

[RC_Drunkford]

This is a Heat vs. T-Wolves bidding war right now