Ford and Simmons talking Durant and the Suns

[Arizona's Finest]

Just listening to Chad Ford and Bill Simmons podcast. They both think that if the Suns get the #4 pick they both think the Suns will go all out and trade Marion and the #4 pick for the rights to the #2 pick and draft Durant. Simmons also went onto say the only two team that would draft Durant over Oden are the Suns and Houston. He thinks Durant is perfect for the Suns....

I completely agree. I would trade ANYONE not named Nash or Amare to get Durant on this team. I think with Steve Nash Durant would end up being one of the five best players in the game. Next year.

Its probably a pipe dream but i would do it in a second. Lets see if the team with the second pick already has a small forward they like......

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I'd rather we trade Barbosa, Diaw and the rights to the # 4 pick for Durant.

I want Shawn to finish his career as a Sun.

 

[Nasser22]

If it's Boston, what other player would they throw in to get the salaries closer? I doubt they would do it though.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd rather we trade Barbosa, Diaw and the rights to the # 4 pick for Durant.

I want Shawn to finish his career as a Sun.

As much as I like Shawn, Barbosa and Diaw provide the youthful building blocks (plus Amare) for the Suns future. Also when Shawn's contract expires I think he will want more money than he's worth and be gone anyway. I could see under the right circumstances trading Diaw but not LB. IMO, LB looks like a star in the making. I prefer trading Shawn and the #4 pick for Durant if the pieces fell into place.

Anyway I think Atlanta is really starting to tank so I'm not holding my breath. I'm now thinking all non-playoff teams should get the same number of balls in the hopper to prevent tanking.

 

[slinslin]

The best thing is that Durant WANTS to be on the Suns.

 

[dodie53]

don't trade barbosa..

btw, where can i see games of durant? clips of his highlights.. something..

 

[elindholm]

I'm now thinking all non-playoff teams should get the same number of balls in the hopper to prevent tanking.

Somebody -- I think it was Jeff van Gundy -- recently said that all teams should get the same chances in the lottery, whether they make the playoffs or not. I doubt the league will ever go that way, but it sure would prevent tanking.

 

[TucsonDevil]

As far as only Houston and Phoenix taking Durant over Oden, how about Milwaukee? I can't see them taking another franchise center.

 

[slinslin]

Bogut is probably more of a 4 like Duncan.

 

[elindholm]

Theoretically, why would any team pass on Durant in order to have Marion and the #4? That doesn't make much sense. I can't see anyone doing it unless they could shed a terrible contract in the process. For instance, Portland might do it if the Suns would take LaFrentz back ($11.8 million next season, expires 2009).

 

[slinslin]

From a chat a month ago or so

Burt(Jonesboro, Ark): Hey Kevin, what is your favorite NBA team to watch?

Kevin Durant: I love the Suns. I love how they play. We try to run our offense after them. I love watching the Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

Somebody -- I think it was Jeff van Gundy -- recently said that all teams should get the same chances in the lottery, whether they make the playoffs or not. I doubt the league will ever go that way, but it sure would prevent tanking.

I was trying to slightly modify Van Gundy's stance so it would have a better chance of flying.

 

[Scot1]

I agree with Sactown--if Havlicek got to end as a Celtic, Marion should end as a Sun. I am also really queasy about trading Barbosa--if that might be part of a reasonable package that would work. I admit, I don't know of another reasonable package. And I like the idea of Noah.

But all this is moot till we know what pick we have, if any.

 

[HooverDam]

If both Durant and Oden come out, no team is going to trade out of the 1 and 2 slots, UNLESS the trade involves someone like LeBron James, Kobe, or Dirk- even then I doubt it.Why would a team trade away from having a new face for their franchise for the next 10 years for Marion and a rookie who isn't a guaranteed star? I doubt the Suns get the #4 pick anyway, so this is kind of a moot point.

Even if they do, if salary permits, I'd want to keep Marion and get a guy at the #4 pick that the Suns can slowly develop off the bench and who can become a bigger piece once Marion and/or Nash retires.

 

[elindholm]

I was trying to slightly modify Van Gundy's stance so it would have a better chance of flying.

Yeah, I think it's a decent idea. But given how hysterical everyone got when Orlando got the #1 pick two years in a row, the second time as the "best" lottery team (with something like a 1/66 chance of winning the lottery), I think the current weighted system is going to be in place for the forseeable future.

 

[Mainstreet]

Theoretically, why would any team pass on Durant in order to have Marion and the #4? That doesn't make much sense. I can't see anyone doing it unless they could shed a terrible contract in the process. For instance, Portland might do it if the Suns would take LaFrentz back ($11.8 million next season, expires 2009).

Some team might want to have their cake and eat it too. Marion is already a proven all-star and the 4th pick should be a good selection as well. Maybe some team might be as happy with Noah.

 

[elindholm]

Maybe some team might be as happy with Noah.

I doubt it. The hype on Durant is overwhelming. Any GM who trades him away risks being branded for life as a Bowie-level idiot.

 

[Mrh182]

Anyway I think Atlanta is really starting to tank so I'm not holding my breath. I'm now thinking all non-playoff teams should get the same number of balls in the hopper to prevent tanking.

What should be fascinating to see how it all plays out is that Atlanta has 8 games left....4 of the 8 are against teams in the bottom 7 of the standings (Milwaukee x2, Boston, Phili)... if all the teams are trying to tank it, should make for some pretty bad games.

Washington, Cleavland, and New Jersey will probably be losses.... and they could potentially beat Indiana.

 

[Mainstreet]

Noah really turned be off yesterday with his sideway spin on the ball while shooting. He will have trouble shooting outside and making FT's unless he is willing to modify his shot like Jeff Hornacek did with the Suns.

 

[F-Dog]

Might as well try to put together a package for Tim Duncan.


In the largest sense, this is a two-man draft. Moving from #4 to #2 would be so difficult, it's not even worth discussing.

 

[Mainstreet]

What should be fascinating to see how it all plays out is that Atlanta has 8 games left....4 of the 8 are against teams in the bottom 7 of the standings (Milwaukee x2, Boston, Phili)... if all the teams are trying to tank it, should make for some pretty bad games.

Washington, Cleavland, and New Jersey will probably be losses.... and they could potentially beat Indiana.

How can losers ever win? It should be a tanking meltdown. It should be interesting how the coaches of these tanking teams call plays... like if you don't get a bad shot don't take it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Might as well try to put together a package for Tim Duncan.


In the largest sense, this is a two-man draft. Moving from #4 to #2 would be so difficult, it's not even worth discussing.

I've only seen Oden play for the first time last night. I'm not sure if he will become an elite player. I haven't seen Durant play so I figure he might be the best player in the draft by scouting reports. If so, your right he's not dropping past #2. As mentioned earlier, Noah has some serious release problems on his shot. Maybe the Suns might be better waiting for a player to drop... perhaps a player like Yi or whoever they like.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Noah really turned be off yesterday with his sideway spin on the ball while shooting. He will have trouble shooting outside and making FT's unless he is willing to modify his shot like Jeff Hornacek did with the Suns.

Guys like Noah are all hype, it's the same bad media/fan scouting that would say Richardson is having a great year and is totally awesome based on his game against the Suns.

Trade for Varejo or Turiaf you're getting the same exact player even the little hair thing.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

and if the suns end uo in the top 5 and assuming it goes Oden, Durant...then a crap shoot then I would say my first hope would be

Wright, who reminds me of Marion
then Yi then Hortford.

actually I think Yi is sick , he's gonna be good.

keep the second pick and hope Rudy Fernandez falls. I'm telling you this guy would be a huge fan favorite here.

 

[playstation]

repeat after me: suns ARE NOT getting durant.

no way in hell. not even if nash was offered.

but i can still drool at a lineup of nash, barbosa, bell, durant, and amare. in fact, d'antoni is the one that would drool at that one. durant is the taller marion that can shoot 3's with ease, the PERFECT PF for this system.