The Suns were never truly in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. While the Suns had multiple conversations with the Nets this offseason, none of them occurred in recent weeks.
The Nets wanted a better haul than the Jazz received from the Timberwolves for Rudy Gobert.
Forward Mikal Bridges was never offered because neither side made a formal proposal, Gambadoro adds (Twitter links). The Suns simply didn’t have the assets Brooklyn insisted upon and they would not give up franchise player Devin Booker.
We have more from the Western Conference:
- With Durant pulling back on his trade request, the Suns will look to obtain a post-up power forward, perhaps via free agency, Gambadoro tweets. They have an open roster spot and the taxpayer mid-level exception still available to them. Our updated list of unsigned free agents can be found here.
- If the Jazz go into fire sale mode, there are several rotation players on their roster that could help the Grizzlies, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. That list includes wing Bojan Bogdanovic — who could slide in nicely alongside Ja Morant and Desmond Bane — as well shooting guard Malik Beasley and veteran power forward Rudy Gay.
- Luka Garza‘s contract with the Timberwolves is an Exhibit 10 deal, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets. Minnesota officially signed the second-year big man on Tuesday. He’ll compete for a roster spot but could become an affiliate player for the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League team. He’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $50K if he is waived and then spends at least 60 days with Iowa.
Suns won’t spend MLE this summer. Suns are not making overpaid offer for any stars, either
Suns are more likely to trade Shamet and picks to save luxury tax.
Memphis would make sense in the fact they could do with some veterans and depth to help, and in the fact they have Adams, Green and Brooks on expiring deals plus a bunch of young talent that’s not core players (Tillman, Aldama, Chandler, Roddy, LaRavia).
However they just had a terrific season last season and should be hesitant on making to many moves which could result in them going backwards. For instance if you give up Adams then your leaving a big hole at centre, JJJ has had a lot of injuries so it would be a huge risk to deal him away even tho he’s an amazing player.
I’d easily give away Danny Green, who has a non guaranteed expiring deal that the Jazz would buy him out of. But that’s only 9mil which is a long way of matching a Bojan contract at 18mil.
Most I could see here is Danny Green and a second round pick for Rudy Gay.
Memphis don’t give up anyone who they didn’t have last season or any of the young guys. Gay will provide good depth at either forward position, he can do a little bit of everything and it’s a cool story to see him finish off where he started in Memphis. For the Jazz, Gay is owed 8.5mil a season on a 2 year deal whereas you can probably buy out Green for 7mil so it saves you some money and frees a roster spot up aswell as giving you another pick.
Small little win win
Suns should explore trading Shamet plus first round for Sexton.
They could’ve acquired Micic who’s a good veteran and scorer to bring him off the bench and pair him with Payton.
76ers would’ve dominated the NBA like the GSW if they would’ve drafted Tatum and Kept Bridges.
This lineup would be unbeatable:
Harden
Maxes
Tatum
Bridges
Embid
You left out horrendous contract to Harris, Jimmy buckets, poor picks nerlens noel,Okafor, Carter Williams.
Those horrendous contracts wouldn’t take place if the scouting did their job and drafted the right kids.
We’ve made so many mistakes over the years.
But easily the biggest two are taking Fultz over Tatum and Trading Jimmy and keeping Brett Brown.
Should’ve not traded up and taken Tatum at 3. Embiid Tatum and Simmons would’ve been crazy.
Should’ve sacked Brett Brown and traded away Ben Simmons earlier thus keeping Jimmy Butler and adding another player to be the third star.
Oh well atleast we are still in a strong position right now. Maxey Harden Embiid
I’d personally still love to move off Tobias Harris
Give me Marcus Morris and Robert Covington everyday of the week over him. Then get his brother Markieff for free