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

[scott]

my biggest fear is that if we don't get Durant, we'll make a run at RJ Barrett

If this KD thing doesn't come together (and I'm still not even necessarily a proponent of this acquisition), I hope we just pivot to using the #14 pick, our MLE, BAE and maybe a deal similar to the Barnes deal last year where we pick up a capable vet to relatively cheap (I understand we got paid to take Barnes because we had cap space, so not exactly the same). Maybe John Collins could fall into that category... though I think the assumption that Collins would be cheap to acquire needs to be checked against the fact that no one has ever bit. Is he really that cheap? Is there something else on Collins in league circles to make teams not want to pick him up? Or maybe some of our pieces start to look attractive to throw into deals if the offseason gets really crazy.

With that said, I expect our lineup to look like this going into camp... and I think I'd be okay with that (depth chart is just the order I'd put them, not necessarily what I think the team would do):

Fox/Harper/Wesley
Castle/Vassell/Branham
Champ/Keldon/NEW
Barnes/Sochan/NEW
Wemby/NEW/NEW

The "New" to be made up from #14/#38/MLE/BAE/Min Contracts. Also would not be shocked to see Mamu back.

Still weak on the boards... but maybe we some incremental improvement just from coaching or our other minor additions.

[scott]

i really think vecenie overstated how underwater the Anthony deal is. anthony is fine. he's a solid player who was also a relatively clutch performer for Orlando. he going to be making 13 mil next year. would he get that much on the market if he was a free agent? probably not? but its not egregious enough to have to send a FRP swap out. and then theres a club option if he plays well next year. he's still 25. i think its a pretty neutral contract and he's a solid player

I think that's where they came up with 1 FRP and 1 Swap for the combination of KCP and Anthony being underwater. They estimated together they are about $30MM under water in market value. Would you pay a swap to dump Cole? Probably not. But you might not be able to dump KCP with just 1 FRP... so the swap gets you the rest of the way with KCP and for Cole. It sounds about right to me.

[dn0774]

Man, those Vassell graphs are tough to look at. Such a disappointing turn for a promising player. Whether it is with us or not, I hope Devin can reshape his game with a focus more towards being a catch and shoot weapon and less dribbling. He clearly had some defensive chops early on, is it just an effort (lack of) issue nowadays?

[RC_Drunkford]

If this KD thing doesn't come together (and I'm still not even necessarily a proponent of this acquisition), I hope we just pivot to using the #14 pick, our MLE, BAE and maybe a deal similar to the Barnes deal last year where we pick up a capable vet to relatively cheap (I understand we got paid to take Barnes because we had cap space, so not exactly the same). Maybe John Collins could fall into that category... though I think the assumption that Collins would be cheap to acquire needs to be checked against the fact that no one has ever bit. Is he really that cheap? Is there something else on Collins in league circles to make teams not want to pick him up? Or maybe some of our pieces start to look attractive to throw into deals if the offseason gets really crazy.

With that said, I expect our lineup to look like this going into camp... and I think I'd be okay with that (depth chart is just the order I'd put them, not necessarily what I think the team would do):

Fox/Harper/Wesley
Castle/Vassell/Branham
Champ/Keldon/NEW
Barnes/Sochan/NEW
Wemby/NEW/NEW

The "New" to be made up from #14/#38/MLE/BAE/Min Contracts. Also would not be shocked to see Mamu back.

Still weak on the boards... but maybe we some incremental improvement just from coaching or our other minor additions.

If that happens the entire FO needs to get fired. The least I expect this franchise to do is to give me a capable starting 4 and not run out spurstalks favorite Harrison Barnes.

[scott]

If that happens the entire FO needs to get fired. The least I expect this franchise to do is to give me a capable starting 4 and not run out spurstalks favorite Harrison Barnes.

Quite the fanatical overreaction, tbh.

[scott]

Man, those Vassell graphs are tough to look at. Such a disappointing turn for a promising player. Whether it is with us or not, I hope Devin can reshape his game with a focus more towards being a catch and shoot weapon and less dribbling. He clearly had some defensive chops early on, is it just an effort (lack of) issue nowadays?

If he could turn around things and become a capable defender and off-ball shooter, it would be such a game changer. Between he and Castle, there is enough size for them to combine at the 2/3 in lineups. Fingers crossed if he isn't dealt that he can make this happen.

[Ice009]

I think that's where they came up with 1 FRP and 1 Swap for the combination of KCP and Anthony being underwater. They estimated together they are about $30MM under water in market value. Would you pay a swap to dump Cole? Probably not. But you might not be able to dump KCP with just 1 FRP... so the swap gets you the rest of the way with KCP and for Cole. It sounds about right to me.

So when you factor in Cole Anthony and KCP (Would you say 1 or 2 first round picks to take KCP and the swap Cole Anthony's contract), how many picks was Bane traded for? 2 or 3 first round picks?

[scott]

So when you factor in Cole Anthony and KCP (Would you say 1 or 2 first round picks to take KCP and the swap Cole Anthony's contract), how many picks was Bane traded for? 2 or 3 first round picks?

Bruh... I literally say it in my first post.

[Ice009]

Bruh... I literally say it in my first post.

I just reread it properly. Need to go to bed as I'm too far out of it. Didn't really read it fully. Have been up all night. So yeah, 3 first round picks. Got it.

[dn0774]

If he could turn around things and become a capable defender and off-ball shooter, it would be such a game changer. Between he and Castle, there is enough size for them to combine at the 2/3 in lineups. Fingers crossed if he isn't dealt that he can make this happen.

I know he idolizes Kobe, but maybe he should be studying Klay circa 2015.

[spurraider21]

If he could turn around things and become a capable defender and off-ball shooter, it would be such a game changer. Between he and Castle, there is enough size for them to combine at the 2/3 in lineups. Fingers crossed if he isn't dealt that he can make this happen.

its wild because his draft projection was basically 3&D with upside

[Mnky]

You know what's wild? Trying to say someone's wrong without actually watching games, after you claimed people don't watch games.
KD wasn't a SF since he tore his achilles.

Not to mention that at his age declines are often sharp and not gradual.
Even Lebron is noticably worse than he was 2 years ago, despite statpadding his way to Heat Lebron numbers.

A positive thing for us is that we don't need KD's paint penetration because he doesn't really attack the rim anymore, but only people who don't actually watch games will say he's not on a noticable decline.

You're just making things up. KD was played as a 4 & 5 in Phoenix because they have no bigs. He was better than the bigs they did have. Just because he's talented enough to do it does not mean that's his spot. He is a forward. Saying one of the best players on the planet can't play his natural position is just crazy. It's okay to just come to terms with being wrong bro. Noone cares about it. Digging deeper on something as silly as this one is a bold move cotton.

[RC_Drunkford]

desperation

[scott]

It would be hilariously awesome to see Phoenix pivot to going further into the 2nd apron because they don't like the market for Durant.

[LeBowen]

You're just making things up. KD was played as a 4 & 5 in Phoenix because they have no bigs. He was better than the bigs they did have. Just because he's talented enough to do it does not mean that's his spot. He is a forward. Saying one of the best players on the planet can't play his natural position is just crazy. It's okay to just come to terms with being wrong bro. Noone cares about it. Digging deeper on something as silly as this one is a bold move cotton.

You got no clue what you're talking about so you're desperately tring to deflect.
The game is starting, you should watch it for a change.

[PhantomDashCam]

how about:

-playing on a team with a real center behind him
-playing for an organisation with great culture
-not having to be the first option
-having Pop around
-being close to Austin to promote his WNBA expansion team
-contending
-mentoring young players
-not getting much media attention and just being able to hoop

KD had a lot of these things with GS…and I believe it was part of the reason he left (not being considered an Alpha, clashing with Draymond etc).
Anywhere KD goes too (and especially a team with Wemby on it) is going to garner media attention.

I’m on board with KD as well overall, just acknowledging, in the case of Wemby, that sometimes you may not want to meet your idols/heroes…

[objective]

Phoenix allegedly working to trade for a guy with a mystery debilitating illness is something else

[Dverde]

Spurs should extend Harrison Barnes and end all this KD drama. I’d rather have him at a much lower number for three years than paying KD 150M or whatever he wants. Keep the cap flexibility. Extending elder KD may backfire so bad that he becomes our untradeable Bradley Beal contract.

[Mnky]

You got no clue what you're talking about so you're desperately tring to deflect.
The game is starting, you should watch it for a change.

I share facts. You share emojis. We are not the same.

[LeBowen]

I share facts. You share emojis. We are not the same.

ing re I literally pointed out the facts that KD has been playing as PF for 5 ing years.
If I say he's too slow, that means he can't play SF on defense. Offensive roles are fluid, anyway.

Would you have SF KD defend Nesmith or Williams, because that would happen if we had a legit PF like let's say John Collins.
Dumb re wasting my time on explaining basic .

[RC_Drunkford]

he's one of KD's closest friends

[ace3g]

The Spurs, league sources say, have been conservative in their pursuit of Durant.

But amid their most recent round of talks with Phoenix, the Timberwolves were made aware that he prefers to play elsewhere — specifically, league sources say, the Spurs.

[Dejounte]

Sounds like he’s coming here

[benefactor]

Brian Wright is a patient assassin, and patience is what will get this deal done.

[djohn2oo8]

The Suns are idiots. Just take the damn deal or watch it get worse.