The Durant Sweepstakes

[Finito]

To many variables. Nobody is going to depend on a center to do most of their perimeter defense or even anchor it like they do paint defense and protecting the rim. Completely depends on the team, the system and the level of talent they have. I would guarantee nobody signs a center and the first they think is..."how well is his perimeter defense". Again, not saying it's not valuable.

Nobody is asking a center to do “most of their perimeter defense” or “anchor” your perimeter defense

But yea it’s a very important skill in todays NBA. For what the Suns/Heat do switch everything it’s very important like you said depends on the team and you adjust your systems to fit the talent you have.

 

[Covert Rain]

Nobody is asking a center to do “most of their perimeter defense” or “anchor” your perimeter defense

But yea it’s a very important skill in todays NBA. For what the Suns/Heat do switch everything it’s very important like you said depends on the team and you adjust your systems to fit the talent you have.

Again, depends on the level of talent and the system. Teams are going to be way more concerned what he looks like in the paint on both ends of the floor. It's not going to be a deal breaker especially for those teams lacking any talent at that position. It just won't. Very few teams have the luxury of being picky about a big man's perimeter skill when they lack talent at that position to begin with. Quality big men are still a premium in the league. If they have skill there it's icing on the cake. When is the last time you heard a team shy away from a legit center or back out of trade because or perimeter skill?!!? I can't think of one.

 

[Absolute Zero]

They have final say but they are not going to veto where he wants to go.

And I can also see the Nets playing poker, not pulling the trigger until they get all the draft picks, etc. they want. So the potential for the Suns to get raked over is pretty high.

 

[Muggz]

Defense? We don't need no stinking defense!

The other teams will.

 

[Muggz]

And I can also see the Nets playing poker, not pulling the trigger until they get all the draft picks, etc. they want. So the potential for the Suns to get raked over is pretty high.

Yeah waiting to see how bad this is gonna be.
Like we have to take Pat Bev and Grason on the team or something stupid.

 

[Covert Rain]

And I can also see the Nets playing poker, not pulling the trigger until they get all the draft picks, etc. they want. So the potential for the Suns to get raked over is pretty high.

If this is a player's league and Durant is steadfast on Phoenix it's not much of a bluff to the Suns. They have made it clear they are not gutting the team. We already know that the Suns can only trade every other first rounder. The between picks can be swaps only. Seems to me the parameters don't have much wiggle room. The X-factor likely is a 3 team scenario on where those assets end up. Just my two cents.

 

[Muggz]

Hoping this 3rd team will lessen the hit to us. We give what Utah give us to BKY maybe save CamJ and or Mikal.

 

[Muggz]

After we win the chip, we piss Durant off make him demand a trade and recoup all those draft picks everyone loves so much.

 

[Germz249]

After we win the chip, we piss Durant off make him demand a trade and recoup all those draft picks everyone loves so much.

Can we go back to back and then have this happen?

 

[TJ]

indeed. Bridges should be almost un-tradable because of his versatility as a defensive anchor. there are far fewer of him than there are of stars that can get you buckets. and every team needs a Bridges in their starting line-up.

and yet, i wouldn't be surprised if he's never an all-star or warrants max money.

and yet, again, at his age, i may be alone in saying i'd have to think long and hard about trading him straight up for a few years of KD -- unless i was really sure KD would be in a chemistry situation here that was unlikely to bust like the Nets experiment did

I’ll say it again: If Mikal is the difference between getting Durant or not getting Durant, James Jones should be Fired

 

[Cheesebeef]

Can this happen already? I’m getting KG/AP deja vu.

 

[GatorAZ]

Can this happen already? I’m getting KG/AP deja vu.

Likely not…
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[1tinsoldier]

Defense? We don't need no stinking defense!

The other teams will.

i get the theory. but off the top of my head i can't think of any examples of overwhelming offensive power winning a championship without the team having a respectable level of defensive competence.

the Nets and Lakers are recent exhibits A and B of the the flaw in the theory
we don't want to be C

 

[1tinsoldier]

Likely not…
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those quotes and that picture don't inspire me to do any Durant deal!

 

[Muggz]

those quotes and that picture don't inspire me to do any Durant deal!

Posturing, Nothing to see here.
They kinda have to do that so they dont get castrated by the NY fans.

 

[Town Drunk]

those quotes and that picture don't inspire me to do any Durant deal!

Yeah, I’m starting to feel the same way.

 

[1tinsoldier]

we may have lost our best window of opportunity already
but we still have a window without Durant
so, imo, the Nets can get blanked if they think we're that desperate

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns need to ask themselves what they could get with some of those assets they are offering for Durant.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Likely not…
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And they can play the long game because there is literally no rush for them. Their worst case scenario is they still have Durant under contract for 4 seasons. Giving them the best trade chip in the nba right now.

I’m heartened by the fact we’ve made four offers. It means we are working. And likely trying not to give up the farm. That said “an all star, a future all star, and a bunch of unprotected picks” is frankly stupid. I don’t know any team in the league that would be able to do that. Not to mention, even if they could no team would because what’s the point of acquiring Durant for a team left with no talent to win?

 

[Folster]

That's fine. We have Ayton locked down. We can match whatever offer he gets so no rush there. Start filling out the roster assuming there is no Durant. Go get Schroeder and Thomas Bryant.

 

[Folster]

And they can play the long game because there is literally no rush for them. Their worst case scenario is they still have Durant under contract for 4 seasons. Giving them the best trade chip in the nba right now.

I’m heartened by the fact we’ve made four offers. It means we are working. And likely trying not to give up the farm. That said “an all star, a future all star, and a bunch of unprotected picks” is frankly stupid. I don’t know any team in the league that would be able to do that. Not to mention, even if they could no team would because what’s the point of acquiring Durant for a team left with no talent to win?

Yeah. It's just BS postering. KD probably has 2-3 elite years left. Half the young all stars they would want can't even be traded to them.

 

[Muggz]

I'm telling you they're playing.
The VERY first thing they did is say "Booker or no deal", knowing full well Book was unobtainable and the MAIN reason KD wants to come here in the first place.
But the NY fans needed to hear that.

But yeah if they do get too crazy we should pack up camp and say F them.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm telling you they're playing.
The VERY first thing they did is say "Booker or no deal", knowing full well Book was unobtainable and the MAIN reason KD wants to come here in the first place.


But yeah if they do get too crazy we should pack up camp and say F them.

If it comes to that we match any deal for Ayton and tell him “tough ish dude, you’re playing here.”

 

[Chaplin]

If it comes to that we match any deal for Ayton and tell him “tough ish dude, you’re playing here.”

Yep, don’t let the team that the biggest star in league doesn’t want to play at dictate your whole offseason. It’s put up or shut up. If the Nets want to mess with KD and the Suns, tell them to shove it. See how that turns out for them.

 

[Proximo]

I'm telling you they're playing.
The VERY first thing they did is say "Booker or no deal", knowing full well Book was unobtainable and the MAIN reason KD wants to come here in the first place.
But the NY fans needed to hear that.

But yeah if they do get too crazy we should pack up camp and say F them.

I don't even believe those reports.

Just someone looking for clicks if you ask me.

No team is going to screw itself to the point of non contention to get Durant, because that is the only point in acquiring him in the first place.