The Durant Sweepstakes

[JCSunsfan]

I think their rumored package requirement put an end to most trade talks. Just guessing but I think teams will soon go about their business of filling out their rosters and the Nets will start the season with Durant. If he shows that his postseason play was a fluke, they'll be able to get closer to their demands in a mid-season trade.

I think KD is still an elite scorer but he can no longer punish double teams like he used to and his defense is no longer elite. Add in his injuries, games missed over the past 8 seasons and the fact he'll start the season as a 34 year old and the Nets IMO will either have to keep him or lower their asking price by more than 50%.

NBA GM's aren't idiots (for the most part). Sometimes they will gamble for a chance at a championship now because some fans are so demanding--Lakers, Nets, and Knicks. But I am not sure any GM is going to want to put out that much for Durant. He is aging and he had an Achilles rupture--which is more often than not career-ending for older players.

It will be interesting to see what offer sheet Ayton gets. We have not seen the Suns say "we will match whatever he gets." When McD did that, his purpose was to discourage offers but it really alienated the player. I would guess the Suns are encouraging offers in the hopes that they get a good sign and trade offer. If not, you have to match. You cannot let an asset like that walk. If they want to trade him, they can match and then move him at the trade deadline.

 

[Sparky16]

NBA GM's aren't idiots (for the most part). Sometimes they will gamble for a chance at a championship now because some fans are so demanding--Lakers, Nets, and Knicks. But I am not sure any GM is going to want to put out that much for Durant. He is aging and he had an Achilles rupture--which is more often than not career-ending for older players.

It will be interesting to see what offer sheet Ayton gets. We have not seen the Suns say "we will match whatever he gets." When McD did that, his purpose was to discourage offers but it really alienated the player. I would guess the Suns are encouraging offers in the hopes that they get a good sign and trade offer. If not, you have to match. You cannot let an asset like that walk. If they want to trade him, they can match and then move him at the trade deadline.

Yeah this, i dont think DA is all that a lot of media seem to think. Its funny how the media was crapping on management about not extending a max to DA last year and again this year. Now with nobody offering, they dont seem to think he has much trade value. DA, Bridges, Cam & 4 1st and 3 swaps for Durant tells me DA ain't worth much. 4 Years 80M is what the Suns should offer, if he wants a Max after that he can prove by making an all NBA team.

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns need to go about their business as well as Nets are in no hurry to trade Durant and move off an historic asking price.

Time to concentrate on Deandre Ayton.

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[Covert Rain]

Yeah this, i dont think DA is all that a lot of media seem to think. Its funny how the media was crapping on management about not extending a max to DA last year and again this year. Now with nobody offering, they dont seem to think he has much trade value. DA, Bridges, Cam & 4 1st and 3 swaps for Durant tells me DA ain't worth much. 4 Years 80M is what the Suns should offer, if he wants a Max after that he can prove by making an all NBA team.

It wasn't just the media. It was other basketball FO's that were sharing their feelings and most fans. Also, I don't think ANYBODY is saying he has no trade value. That doesn't seem be the case at all. It's that teams likely don't think paying a Center the way the game is played today is worth a MAX contract. Ayton's team put that out there that they would expect nothing less. That's why teams are balking. That isn't the same thing as saying he doesn't have much trade value.

I guarantee if Ayton's camp put out there today that they would except 20 to 25 million per? The Suns phones would be ringing off the hook.

 

[AzStevenCal]

NBA GM's aren't idiots (for the most part). Sometimes they will gamble for a chance at a championship now because some fans are so demanding--Lakers, Nets, and Knicks. But I am not sure any GM is going to want to put out that much for Durant. He is aging and he had an Achilles rupture--which is more often than not career-ending for older players.

It will be interesting to see what offer sheet Ayton gets. We have not seen the Suns say "we will match whatever he gets." When McD did that, his purpose was to discourage offers but it really alienated the player. I would guess the Suns are encouraging offers in the hopes that they get a good sign and trade offer. If not, you have to match. You cannot let an asset like that walk. If they want to trade him, they can match and then move him at the trade deadline.

The league drew a line in the sand on this after McD did it several years ago, no more public comments about matching. I assume that's still the case today. But even so, they can still make it clear to GMs - we just wouldn't hear about it except second hand.

 

[1tinsoldier]

regardless of your stand on Durant, i think if it's still at a stand-still tomorrow it's time to make plans without him. The Nets and the media have wildly over-rated Durant's value at this stage in his career. Let the Warriors or Heat gut their team on the gamble.

 

[nashman]

I would say make them our best offer and tell them if that’s not good enough pound sand. You want to be stuck with an unruly superstar because your not being reasonable that’s on you! Not a huge fan of Ayton and his lazy play but we shouldn’t give him away either. Durant without hitting the team sounds great but not gutting the team for years to do it! Hire that these rumors come out and get everyone excited only to be squashed by unreasonable demands.

 

[Covert Rain]

Suns need to go about their business as well as Nets are in no hurry to trade Durant and move off an historic asking price.

Time to concentrate on Deandre Ayton.

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What moves are the Nets making that "signals" this? I have not seen them do any moves at all that would kill trades. I have not seen them make any major moves either that would signal to KD we are going to get you some major help. This sounds like posturing to me by the Nets IMO.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

Colin says KD to Phoenix works

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[Mainstreet]

What moves are the Nets making that "signals" this? I have not seen them do any moves at all that would kill trades. I have not seen them make any major moves either that would signal to KD we are going to get you some major help. This sounds like posturing to me by the Nets IMO.

It may be posturing by the Nets but they are acting like they are willing to go forward with Irving and Durant. They have added or keeping Royce O'Neale, Patty Mills, TJ Warren and Edmond Sumner.

 

[Covert Rain]

It may be posturing by the Nets but they are acting like they are willing to go forward with Irving and Durant. They have added or keeping Royce O'Neale, Patty Mills, TJ Warren and Edmond Sumner.

If I am KD none of those moves screams we are winning it now. That's all I am saying.

 

[95pro]

If I am KD none of those moves screams we are winning it now. That's all I am saying.

Well what do you want them to add when you have 3 guys making a ton of money?

 

[Mainstreet]

If I am KD none of those moves screams we are winning it now. That's all I am saying.

Yes, I agree but the Nets front office is going to take the public stance they are willing to run it back with Irving and Durant no matter how unlikely.

 

[1tinsoldier]

in that clip, Colin makes great points about all the recent busts with stars who have moved around and the importance of chemistry

he's also on target with saying phx is the best destination for KD because he's not a leader and we've already got Paul for that. but he's still talking about giving up too much for KD, who he labels just an "enhancer" and is not going to be a real chemistry guy on or off the court

 

[GatorAZ]

regardless of your stand on Durant, i think if it's still at a stand-still tomorrow it's time to make plans without him. The Nets and the media have wildly over-rated Durant's value at this stage in his career. Let the Warriors or Heat gut their team on the gamble.

His value isn’t the issue it’s teams being told by Rich Kleiman that KD doesn’t want to play for them. If there weren’t any restrictions by KD he would’ve already been traded for a massive haul. Teams aren’t going to mortgage their future if the attraction isn’t mutual. I don’t see the Suns trading all 3 youngins plus the picks if they’re bidding vs themselves.

 

[1tinsoldier]

His value isn’t the issue it’s teams being told by Rich Kleiman that KD doesn’t want to play for them. If there weren’t any restrictions by KD he would’ve already been traded for a massive haul. Teams aren’t going to mortgage their future if the attraction isn’t mutual. I don’t see the Suns trading all 3 youngins plus the picks if they’re bidding vs themselves.

yes, an important point. "mutual attraction" gives us more leverage than is being publicly acknowledged. and if i were the Nets, i can't be optimistic about what he's going to give them after the way they finished their season.

hell, no one's calling it like it is in Jersey. because just like us, they've got their own season choke, 2 disgruntled superstars (compared to our 1 disgruntled star), and they HAVE to plan for their future! We could still go either way.

also, Colin pointed out that turned-off Nets fans tuned out last season!
yeah, they're knee deep in cow-patties

 

[Sparky16]

yes, an important point. "mutual attraction" gives us more leverage than is being publicly acknowledged. and if i were the Nets, i can't be optimistic about what he's going to give them after the way they finished their season.

hell, no one's calling it like it is in Jersey. because just like us, they've got their own season choke, 2 disgruntled superstars (compared to our 1 disgruntled star), and they HAVE to plan for their future! We could still go either way.

also, Colin pointed out that turned-off Nets fans tuned out last season!
yeah, they're knee deep in cow-patties

Media is putting a ton of value for the Nets on his 4 year contract - all that gaurantees is that he will get paid the next 4 years. He can just show up and be a stat padder caring less if they win or not. Deep down he and the GM knows that the Nets are not built to win

 

[Sparky16]

It wasn't just the media. It was other basketball FO's that were sharing their feelings and most fans. Also, I don't think ANYBODY is saying he has no trade value. That doesn't seem be the case at all. It's that teams likely don't think paying a Center the way the game is played today is worth a MAX contract. Ayton's team put that out there that they would expect nothing less. That's why teams are balking. That isn't the same thing as saying he doesn't have much trade value.

I guarantee if Ayton's camp put out there today that they would except 20 to 25 million per? The Suns phones would be ringing off the hook.

All those Front Offices who have offered squat? Pretty sure the Suns would take 2-3 1st and a couple expiring contracts they can use for a trade. Everyone knows that DA does not pass the eye test and will struggle to reach the numbers he had in Phx being a 3rd or 4th wheel

 

[Covert Rain]

All those Front Offices who have offered squat? Pretty sure the Suns would take 2-3 1st and a couple expiring contracts they can use for a trade. Everyone knows that DA does not pass the eye test and will struggle to reach the numbers he had in Phx being a 3rd or 4th wheel

The rumors have been consistent that teams are interested in Ayton but just not at the Max price. That doesn't mean he has no value. At the start if Ayton's camp said they would take 20 to 25 million I am sure the Suns would have had no problems moving him. Now with all the team's transactions that is more difficult because some teams would now have to likely be involved in a 3 way trade to clear cap space.

 

[Mainstreet]

The rumors have been consistent that teams are interested in Ayton but just not at the Max price. That doesn't mean he has no value. At the start if Ayton's camp said they would take 20 to 25 million I am sure the Suns would have had no problems moving him. Now with all the team's transactions that is more difficult because some teams would now have to likely be involved in a 3 way trade to clear cap space.

If Ayton would have accepted $20-25 million annually I'm sure the Suns would have signed him last summer.

 

[Covert Rain]

If Ayton would have accepted $20-25 million annually I'm sure the Suns would have signed him last summer.

I agree.

 

[Carolinacacti]

The problem is Ayton's camp believe the Suns used Ayton to help the team instead of him. Witch they did. But he is not worth the max yet..Yet they want the Max

 

[Mainstreet]

Deandre Ayton is worth the max if Michael Porter Jr. and Zion Williamson are worth the max.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Deandre Ayton is worth the max if Michael Porter Jr. and Zion Williamson are worth the max.

They are not worth the Max. This shirt I'm selling for 30 dollars aint worth 10 unless you give me 30

 

[Mainstreet]

They are not worth the Max. This shirt I'm selling for 30 dollars aint worth 10 unless you give me 30

If it's market value, you will get it unless you undervalue it.