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

[dn0774]

Fox is way better than Lavine and Beal. He would make less money than Beal on his max extension and only 2 million more than Lavine, while being younger. I don't understand your concerns here. People seem to overrate Harper on this board. Harper has 0 pull up shooting ability, not even from midrange and it's not a sure thing that the Spurs will draft him.

Not to mention that he hasn't even played a second of professional basketball yet. We already have people on these boards penciling Harper in for a max extension in 3 years lol. The kid has a lot to work on still based on his college tape. He has some creation/driving skills that can't be taught but that doesn't mean he will automatically hit. Long story short, having Fox in the fold is awesome and necessary at this juncture, maybe in a couple years if Castle and Harper hit like we hope we can look to move Fox.

I am just feeling slightly relieved that the Spurs appear to be on the KD track rather than the Giannis track though I a lot can change between now and draft night.

[John B]

I’d kinda want to see if anyone they love or anyone unexpectedly falls to #14 before announcing, wouldn’t you? Like what if Maluach falls unexpectedly? It’s a long shot obviously, but maybe a good reason to wait to announce it concurrently to when they’re supposed to pick. I suspect this is what happens in most cases.

If there’s already an agreement between two parties, it’s not like the Spurs to back out. But it would be wise to let the draft take its course and see if anything would be available at #38 or if they need to trade and move up. Maybe a trade with Nets for one of their picks to get Fleming.

[exstatic]

Hot take. Suns makes the KD trade to the Spurs seamless. The Suns get #1 pick next year

Booker will keep them on the mediocrity treadmill, preventing that from happening.

[dn0774]

I’d kinda want to see if anyone they love or anyone unexpectedly falls to #14 before announcing, wouldn’t you? Like what if Maluach falls unexpectedly? It’s a long shot obviously, but maybe a good reason to wait to announce it concurrently to when they’re supposed to pick. I suspect this is what happens in most cases.

Yea many reasons to not announce actually. The Suns might have a different target for #14 than we would, by announcing on draft night after the pick it prevents teams from sniping a Suns target potentially. Could also wait to complete the trade until after the 14th pick has signed so that the salary counts towards the trade against KD's salary I think. I wouldn't be surprised to see the trade as a 3 teamer if it happens with Vassell going somewhere that isn't PHX (seen a lot of rumors about Brooklyn).

[dn0774]

double post

[exstatic]

If there’s already an agreement between two parties, it’s not like the Spurs to back out. But it would be wise to let the draft take its course and see if anything would be available at #38 or if they need to trade and move up. Maybe a trade with Nets for one of their picks to get Fleming.

There is probably a framework place, conditional on certain players not being available. I’m guessing there are probably several backup deals, in case PHO changes their minds.

[exstatic]

If there’s already an agreement between two parties, it’s not like the Spurs to back out. But it would be wise to let the draft take its course and see if anything would be available at #38 or if they need to trade and move up. Maybe a trade with Nets for one of their picks to get Fleming.

There is probably a framework place, conditional on certain players not being available. I’m guessing there are probably several backup deals, in case PHO changes their minds.

[John B]

Yea many reasons to not announce actually. The Suns might have a different target for #14 than we would, by announcing on draft night after the pick it prevents teams from sniping a Suns target potentially. Could also wait to complete the trade until after the 14th pick has signed so that the salary counts towards the trade against KD's salary I think. I wouldn't be surprised to see the trade as a 3 teamer if it happens with Vassell going somewhere that isn't PHX (seen a lot of rumors about Brooklyn).

It would be nice to get that Brooklyn pick and a shot at drafting Fleming. I’ve not given up on Wolf too

[SpursFan86]

I know betting odds might not be as relevant/predictive for something like this, but still feel like it’s pretty telling that Vegas is now hardly willing to take 50/50 odds that KD ends up in SA.

Really starting to get to the point where I might be more surprised if we don’t get KD. Now it’s just a matter of what we’re giving up…

[Death In June]

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

[scott]

And another difference is that KD does not actually suck on D, he is above average. And he grades as way above average in foul rate, isolation and pick&roll D. He's above average in PPP and Stl%. As a shot-blocker (Blk%) he's ranked 41st, 23rd, 30th, and 20th the past 4 yrs, and most of the guys above him are 15 to 20min a game back-up center D focused guys.
His % was tied for 20th 5 yrs ago, but didn't play enough to qualify. He is a very good to elite shot blocker, you can expect him to be top 30 in the league in Blk%. And he's done this as an O-focus, high usage, elite O player, which makes his D even more impressive.
His D has been much better since moving to the Big W/4 position and he does it without fouling much. He has learned to positioned himself correctly and use his length, he is not a below average defender. That is simply not true.

KD’s defensive catch all advanced metrics all took a pretty significant nose-dive last season, ranking him as a bottom third percentile defender. Maybe it was just a blip, maybe it was playing on a dysfunctional Suns team… or maybe it’s the age catching up to him

[LeBowen]

I know betting odds might not be as relevant/predictive for something like this, but still feel like it’s pretty telling that Vegas is now hardly willing to take 50/50 odds that KD ends up in SA.

Really starting to get to the point where I might be more surprised if we don’t get KD. Now it’s just a matter of what we’re giving up…

Betting on such irrelevant things that can easily be manipulated shouldn't be allowed.
It's too easy for insiders to sway the odds if they want to.
Not saying it's happening in this case, but betting should be limited to the stuff that actually happens during games.

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

Better fit if he accepts the FIBA role and doesn't insist on handling the ball.
Invaluable experience and way more guarantee that he'll deliver.
No long term salary issues.

[Leetonidas]

Hot take. Suns makes the KD trade to the Spurs seamless. The Suns get #1 pick next year

confusing read but I think they would have to cough that pick up if they did

"WAS has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30, for PHX's 2026 1st round pick; ORL then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the less favorable of the PHX pick and the WAS pick if conveyable; MEM then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the least / less favorable of the PHX pick, the WAS pick if conveyable and the ORL pick and CHA will receive the least favorable of these; if the WAS pick is not conveyable, then the commitment to WAS will be lifted and ORL will instead have the right to swap its pick for the PHX pick (via PHX to CHA)"

[RC_Drunkford]

KD probably told the Suns he wants to go to the Spurs. The package should be less than the expected Vassell + Barnes + #14 if it's a 3-team deal. If the Spurs somehow keep Vassell in this trade, I'll tell y'all right now they gonna trade down from #2.

[mudyez]

I still hope, we somehow won't include #14 as I see at least one nice young big falling to us (probably Fleming) and I don't like to miss out on that opportunity.

Give them some seconds and the rights to Nunez, while maybe giving them a rejuvinated Vassell that might make us look stupid (a little bit like with White).

[vy65]

Hope I'm wrong, but this thread is veering dangerously close to Bonner + Blair for Lebron territory.

[mudyez]

Well, some might view Vassell as not more than a salary to get rid of, I see a valuable player, that a) doesn't fit with our upcoming threesome of guards and b) needs a change of scenery

And while some might see KD as a superstar, I see him as a rental that fits nicely but will present some salary cap issues if extended too long. He also is already tanking his value.

[cutewizard]

Might be a done deal already

[PhantomDashCam]

If the Spurs are dealing for KD, I assume a third team (an Eastern Conference team at that) must be involved.
When was the last time Spurs traded rotation pieces to a Western rival straight up? Josh Richardson 2023?

[Uriel]

I think it's almost certain at this point that the Suns will get at least one additional asset (Sochan or 2026/27 1st or pick #38) in addition to the aforementioned framework of Vassell, Johnson, and pick #14.

[rjv]

lots of shams on this board.

[Ice009]

Hot take. Suns makes the KD trade to the Spurs seamless. The Suns get #1 pick next year

They don't have their own first round draft pick, though, do they?

[Mr. Body]

I think it's almost certain at this point that the Suns will get at least one additional asset (Sochan or 2026/27 1st or pick #38) in addition to the aforementioned framework of Vassell, Johnson, and pick #14.

Uh... if those are the choices, I pick #38.

[couchman]

Happy to see a few voices bringing sanity to Castle and Harper convos.
To read this board you’d think they’re both already all stars and future HOFers.
Castle isn’t even a net positive player yet, and his shooting splits are disgusting in a bad way.
His defense fell off a cliff last year as well.
Harper looks very promising but he couldn’t even lead his college team to the NCAA tourney.
He is likely years away from whatever he will be.
Fox and Durant are proven NBA performers who can lighten the load on everyone, show young pups how to win, and allow young players to focus on their strengths and develop the right way. If you can get guys like that in a sweetheart deal you go for it.

[RC_Drunkford]

If the Spurs are dealing for KD, I assume a third team (an Eastern Conference team at that) must be involved.
When was the last time Spurs traded rotation pieces to a Western rival straight up? Josh Richardson 2023?

It‘s most likely a 3-team deal cause the Suns want a center. If the Spurs can route a center to Phoenix that should lower the overall asking price