Zach Lowe "Durant to Spurs buzz is ascendant around the league"

[random21]

We'll have to beat OKC next round for Durant to consider coming here. No way he loses to us then switches to SA.

Thats true...

[Sec24Row7]

Danny is who would have to go.

[coachmac87]

It's easily worth losing Tony or Danny basketball-wise to get Durant. That's not really the question IMO. I don't really see SA dumping TP, especially if the Spurs make a deep run this year. Spurs just don't do that to their players. If they leave in FA to pursue bigger deals, fine, but trading a big 3 member?

Danny, IMO, is the only one they would be "open" to trading, same with Boris. I can't see them trading TP.

It's not only about getting rid of Tony salary but it's also about what your replacing him with? And how much? And it's not Patty.

You can move Danny and Diaw because you have replacements for them on cheap salary (Simmons, Anderson). I'm fine with getting rid of Tony but give me a legit candidate to replace him

[Mnky]

I agree which is why I said he doesn't make sense for us....
players talk among themselves though, so who knows.

I agree with you. I think we need an elite guard to continue to contend legitly. We probably want a rim protector too. That Diaw/West combo is not going to continue to fly with both players another season older and I think D.West might retire TBH. He's really playing for love of the game at this point, he was already financially secure, thus he had no trouble leaving 12 mill or 11 bc he doesn't need it. From interviews I have seen of him, he has a variety of interests outside the game and will be ready to retire anytime now. Kind of the same for Boris TBH.
If Timmy goes we need a rim protector (be it whoever it is, but we need someone that will need to get paid).

Depending on how our backcourt performs in this offseason, who knows if Pop is ready to make a move to acquire a guard upgrade (whether that is a trade or just a FA signing).

Durant makes sense for any team in the in NBA. He can play the 1-4. You're talking about a top 5 player for all of kawhis prime years next to him. He beats any elite guard out there the spurs could have a shot at. He's often guarded by guards because forwards arnt fast enough. He pretty much is a sg, just a really tall one.He also has the spurs no. 1 attribute in length. You can't teach that, and his 3pt shooting, driving, and passing would be an upgrade over any perimeter player the spurs have not to mention he has been playing good defense this year. It would be much better in a system like the spurs, especially next to Kawhi. He makes perfect sense for the spurs. You have to score to compete today. Spurs get plenty of stops, it's the other end they can't buy a shot half the time.

He's having a horrible series against Dallas tho.

[024]

Parker is the giant elephant in the room for the FO. A huge contract and almost a complete liability in the starting lineup. The league has a wealth of talented point guards and they can all easily destroy Parker as he ages. At least Duncan is still useful in the starting lineup and Manu already comes off the bench.

I'm not one of those Parker bashers but this is the reality. How many free agents and potential young starting point guards will the Spurs pass on to stay loyal to Parker?

[Mnky]

It's not only about getting rid of Tony salary but it's also about what your replacing him with? And how much? And it's not Patty.

You can move Danny and Diaw because you have replacements for them on cheap salary (Simmons, Anderson). I'm fine with getting rid of Tony but give me a legit candidate to replace him

The pg field will be slim pickings for sure. Lin would work great but don't know if he would take the min. Spurs. old possibly offer a little more with manu out. Lawson fell off so fast, if anyone can help him it's pop. Chalmers, and ish Smith are options. You wouldn't necessarily need a threat, with a Durant signing, just someone who could run through the system and set up the plays. Wouldn't have a great selection though in the free agent pool.

[HarlemHeat37]

There's probably no chance of this actually happening, but eww, one of the most unlikable players in the NBA, tbh..it would be really tough to cheer for the Spurs if they sign this -ass ..

[soxxx]

Durant goes to Boston imo, solid foundation, solid roster, Boston has three first round draft picks, and potentially the #1 pick (nets pick), they have a good coach, and he gets to go to the East.

[DPG21920]

Parker is the giant elephant in the room for the FO. A huge contract and almost a complete liability in the starting lineup. The league has a wealth of talented point guards and they can all easily destroy Parker as he ages. At least Duncan is still useful in the starting lineup and Manu already comes off the bench.

I'm not one of those Parker bashers but this is the reality. How many free agents and potential young starting point guards will the Spurs pass on to stay loyal to Parker?

I could see SA trading for a higher draft pick and getting a PG they like. Then doing to that PG what they did to TP and handing them the keys if TP is struggling. TP I think would have to accept this like the PG's before him and like Manu.

[DPG21920]

There's probably no chance of this actually happening, but eww, one of the most unlikable players in the NBA, tbh..it would be really tough to cheer for the Spurs if they sign this -ass ..

Quit lying . Sure, you don't like him now, but like any time a FA is even mentioned with SA the excitement will overwhelm anything at that point.

Spurs fans (all fans) have always been giddy about trades and FA. Now that SA is actually landing dudes and big name FAs?

[Chinook]

Durant can't play the one, what the ? He's one of the best shooters in the league, so he can obviously fit with Kawhi. But he's not going to settle for that, so he'll be playing his game, which doesn't jive with Kawhi and LMA. I can't believe that the same people who are saying that doesn't matter are the ones lamenting the end of the beautiful game. That stuff goes away when you get stars. I mean, you obviously have to get Durant if he wants to be a Spur, but those two and Parker is like the best way to get an underachieving team.

[dabom]

You can't cut old players like Tony. Sends a bad sign to FAs. You need green for defense and spacing. Send Tony to coach Bud. I don't know if Bud takes another dud though.

[HarlemHeat37]

I can't imagine Durant leaving Westbrook, tbh..Russ takes all the heat away from him..

Dominos is in the perfect situation, he's a superstar player that doesn't get treated like one by the fans and media, despite being a perennial loser..he constantly criticizes the media, usually for illogical reasons, yet they continue to give him a pass for his failures, unlike his peers(other than Chris Paul)..

[HarlemHeat37]

Quit lying . Sure, you don't like him now, but like any time a FA is even mentioned with SA the excitement will overwhelm anything at that point.

Spurs fans (all fans) have always been giddy about trades and FA. Now that SA is actually landing dudes and big name FAs?

He's a top 4 player in the NBA, I just strongly dislike him..probably the player I dislike most in the NBA..

[dabom]

He's a top 4 player in the NBA, I just strongly dislike him..probably the player I dislike most in the NBA..

You need talent like him though. Hyper efficient as a beta to Kawhi.

[DPG21920]

Durant can't play the one, what the ? He's one of the best shooters in the league, so he can obviously fit with Kawhi. But he's not going to settle for that, so he'll be playing his game, which doesn't jive with Kawhi and LMA. I can't believe that the same people who are saying that doesn't matter are the ones lamenting the end of the beautiful game. That stuff goes away when you get stars. I mean, you obviously have to get Durant if he wants to be a Spur, but those two and Parker is like the best way to get an underachieving team.

I think it would work well on offense (at least better than this offense). Imagine Durant taking Tim's spot in the offense which is what I would see happening. LMA would be a 5, Durant a 4 & Leonard a 3. LMA/Kawhi would lose some shots, but having Durant be able to space the floor better than Tim (like a stretch 4) and with his ability to create, I can see this offens working for sure.

Would just need a PG who is ok not taking shots (like a Beverly type).

[DPG21920]

I can't imagine Durant leaving Westbrook, tbh..Russ takes all the heat away from him..

Dominos is in the perfect situation, he's a superstar player that doesn't get treated like one by the fans and media, despite being a perennial loser..he constantly criticizes the media, usually for illogical reasons, yet they continue to give him a pass for his failures, unlike his peers(other than Chris Paul)..

He would get the same thing here with LMA/Kawhi on the team. He would get a lot of credit, but not a lot of criticism especially with Pop at the helm being a master of dominating the media for a small market team.

[FromWayDowntown]

This would seem to have more chance of happening if the Spurs don't win the le this year.

Durant comes to the rescue to get the Spurs back over the Warrior hump and everyone's legacy is good.


And with smallball sweeping the league, Durant and Kawhi don't really play the same spot in a smallball offense. LA is the 5, Durant is a of a stretch 4, and KL is the 3. In more traditional moments, Durant and Leonard are just "wings" with LA and a compliment (Duncan or Gasol?) nearby. It makes a lot of sense basketball-wise.

[HarlemHeat37]

He would get the same thing here with LMA/Kawhi on the team. He would get a lot of credit, but not a lot of criticism especially with Pop at the helm being a master of dominating the media for a small market team.

Ya, Spurs would be fine for him in that regard, but I assume he cares about the perception of his "legacy" and about "leading his own team"..that's something you hear a lot from corny NBA people, as we saw when Lebron joined the Heat

Maybe if they don't make the Finals, this year, he could be viewed as a savior-type..

[baseline bum]

Durant makes sense for any team in the in NBA. He can play the 1-4. You're talking about a top 5 player for all of kawhis prime years next to him. He beats any elite guard out there the spurs could have a shot at. He's often guarded by guards because forwards arnt fast enough. He pretty much is a sg, just a really tall one.He also has the spurs no. 1 attribute in length. You can't teach that, and his 3pt shooting, driving, and passing would be an upgrade over any perimeter player the spurs have not to mention he has been playing good defense this year. It would be much better in a system like the spurs, especially next to Kawhi. He makes perfect sense for the spurs. You have to score to compete today. Spurs get plenty of stops, it's the other end they can't buy a shot half the time.

He's having a horrible series against Dallas tho.

It'd be like having Gervin back, though based on Kawhi's improvement I'm not so sure I'd want to be taking the ball out of his hands for anyone. I guess it'd be a nice problem to have though.

[Chinook]

I think it would work well on offense (at least better than this offense). Imagine Durant taking Tim's spot in the offense which is what I would see happening. LMA would be a 5, Durant a 4 & Leonard a 3. LMA/Kawhi would lose some shots, but having Durant be able to space the floor better than Tim (like a stretch 4) and with his ability to create, I can see this offens working for sure.

Would just need a PG who is ok not taking shots (like a Beverly type).

No way is Durant playing the four full time. He won't survive a season doing that. The Spurs would be better off getting a min stiff to play the five and have KD be the two-guard. Ideally, West would stay on to provide spacing. But if Tony is on the team, it simply won't work. Parker absolutely depends on Lock-n-Lock to safeguard him. Replace Danny with a min guy, and it just goes out the window. Replace him with a motivated KD, it might work. But for the sake of the team, the Spurs need to move Tony if they get another offensive starter. I don't care one bit about loyalty.

[DPG21920]

It'd be like having Gervin back, though based on Kawhi's improvement I'm not so sure I'd want to be taking the ball out of his hands for anyone. I guess it'd be a nice problem to have though.

Like you see this year, the offense while mostly efficient, still struggles to score. Replacing Duncan with Durant on offense 100% solves that problem and makes the Spurs margin for error so ridiculously big.

[Mnky]

Durant can't play the one, what the ? He's one of the best shooters in the league, so he can obviously fit with Kawhi. But he's not going to settle for that, so he'll be playing his game, which doesn't jive with Kawhi and LMA. I can't believe that the same people who are saying that doesn't matter are the ones lamenting the end of the beautiful game. That stuff goes away when you get stars. I mean, you obviously have to get Durant if he wants to be a Spur, but those two and Parker is like the best way to get an underachieving team.

He's played the 1-2 interchange with Westbrook their whole career. Hes brought it down as much as Westbrook this game and set the plays up much better. Got plenty of open looks for his teammates. Not sure what game you're talking about. He's great at getting teammates looks. He's a smart play maker.

[DPG21920]

No way is Durant playing the four full time. He won't survive a season doing that. The Spurs would be better off getting a min stiff to play the five and have KD be the two-guard. Ideally, West would stay on to provide spacing. But if Tony is on the team, it simply won't work. Parker absolutely depends on Lock-n-Lock to safeguard him. Replace Danny with a min guy, and it just goes out the window. Replace him with a motivated KD, it might work. But for the sake of the team, the Spurs need to move Tony if they get another offensive starter. I don't care one bit about loyalty.

I think he could survive it because most likely, Pop would be managing minutes and they would be beating up on teams. It wouldn't be a 'full" season in the normal context IMO.

But yeah, there are ways around him having to be that full time. It would still be the most often used lineup though.

[timtonymanu]

I'm sorry but the Spurs can't waste Kawhi's prime years with Parker's contract taking up too much space. If Durant comes here, I hope the Spurs have some sense to dump Parker.