If the Suns trade Kevin Durant this offseason, the “most ideal” return would be three first-round picks and a young player, as well as enough salary relief to move below the second tax apron, sources tell Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
Rankin’s wording leaves some room for interpretation. It’s not clear if his sources believe that’s the sort of return the Suns would be seeking or what they could realistically expect to acquire — or if it’s simply their view of what a best-case scenario for the franchise would look like.
Although Durant continues to play at an extremely high level, his age (37 in the fall) and contract situation (he’ll be entering a contract year) will be factors working against the Suns as they try to extract the best possible package.
Within the same story, Rankin cites sources who suggest the Suns could probably acquire four first-round picks and a “rising star in his third or fourth year” in exchange for Devin Booker, who is eight years younger than Durant and is under team control through 2028. However, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) issues a reminder that Phoenix’s stance on Booker hasn’t changed — the team still has no intention of making him available.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Kings guard Malik Monk returned on Monday from a three-game absence due to a toe sprain and scored 21 points, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. It wasn’t nearly enough for the Kings, who suffered a 29-point home loss to the Knicks on the second end of a back-to-back and are now two games back of the No. 8 seed in the West. As Anderson details in a separate Sacramento Bee story, center Jonas Valanciunas referred to the loss as “embarrassing,” while interim head coach Doug Christie offered a similar assessment. “There are absolutely no excuses in this league,” Christie said. “The league does not care about back-to-backs, injuries, nothing. That was brutal from the physicality standpoint. They didn’t feel us at all, and our guys know that is totally unacceptable, whoever is out on the floor.”
- Over on the other coast, Lakers head coach J.J. Redick wasn’t happy with the effort he saw from his team in a three-point loss to the Nets in Brooklyn. Redick referred to it as a “very low-level communication game” and told reporters that injuries to key players – including LeBron James – should be no excuse, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I think it was just an overall mentality just to take shortcuts tonight,” Redick said. “Want to be a good team? You want to win in the NBA? You got to do the hard stuff. We couldn’t even pass to each other. We couldn’t enter our offense, running ball screens literally at half court. Yeah, that’s going to end up in a turnover. I don’t know what we’re doing.”
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, Quinten Post, and Kevon Looney have combined to make 53 starts this season, but Draymond Green continues to play at the five during most end-game situations and has been the Warriors‘ starting center for eight of 11 games since the All-Star break. He’s OK with that. “I knew it would come down to this,” Green said, according to Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “But I just didn’t have much interest in doing it for 82 games. Because it’s a lot. To anchor a defense. To play the five, you’re in every action. People downhill at you. It’s a different responsibility on the body. … But if you can’t do it for 29 games, it’s over, champ.”
Kings got whooped. They need Sabonis back in the middle as soon as possible. Jonas has been doing an admirable job filling in, but it’s not the same.
It is probably less important about how many games Draymond plays at the 5 than how many minutes and the help he gets.
Butler knows how to play defense. Since his arrival, the Warriors are giving up fewer points. They are also shooting and making more free throws. His play frees up the rest of the team. Curry says he is having more fun than any point in the season.
Looney still has gas left in the tank. Post seems to be improving with each game. They could probably use another veteran guy. But, that will be easier to find in the off-season.
Getting under apron 2 shouldn’t be a problem at all
If they cut Martin and Micic they will have about 8 M to spare under while still having to still fill 6 vet min spots (to get to 14).
They cant do that obv but taking in a 3-1 to help back fill those spots and taking a little less in a KD trade (round 5 M) should be able to land Phx under apron 2 narrowly without having to jump thru any hoops as the article eludes
**Hou really has the Ace of spades here with Phx’s unprotected picks in tow – Dont see Booker to them as totally outta the equation if Hou pushes hard, KD obv too
Why would anyone – AGAIN – mortgage their future to take another chance on this guy that has repeatedly failed to make teams better. It’s over guys – he’s a great offensive player that will never win another championship unless it’s as a role player. You don’t trade 3 number 1’s for that.
Btw I wrote this exact post when Phoenix made the trade.
To sell tickets to people who believe players like KD or Butler can make a difference…
I know its like selling McDonald’s as a healthy option… But there are enough fools out there who will buy anything if it’s marketed right… Just look at politics…
> Why would anyone take another chance on this guy
> that has repeatedly failed to make teams better.
Don’t confuse not winning a championship with not making a team better. He elevated the Warriors go being the best team of this century.
He’s 37 years old, worth much less than when traded 2-3 years ago. If a young talent is included, the deal would also require 2 protected firsts.
Crystal ball says: GSW will win the title, then make two 1-for-1 trades
Jimmy for KD
Moody for Sabonis
GSW will then win the title again. And again. and again.
The copium is too damn high for itwhosnamemustnotbementioned
Be careful. He will go tell dad.
Davey you’ve mentioned Sabonis for Moody before.
how does a one for one Moody for Sabonis work?
Anything works when you have no idea what you’re talking about
Yeah they may get a young player and a 1st but Phoenix’s asking price is way too steep.
You have to have the money to match a KD contract. I don’t think the guy is a winner, some team will make the move depends on how playoffs go. The obvious teams being Hou, Mem, & Mavs.