Would you trade Jaylen+ for Durant?

Would you trade Jaylen+ for Durant?

  • Yes

    Votes: 123 26.3%
  • No

    Votes: 285 60.9%
  • Not Sure - this is all moving too fast for me!

    Votes: 60 12.8%

  • Total voters
    468

BigSoxFan

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Simple question. No wrong answers. I would. I think you always get the all-time great when you have a chance but I do acknowledge the potential downside here. But I like to roll the dice on personnel moves.

Editor’s note: I don’t think Durant is interested in Boston so this is purely academic
 

Cellar-Door

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Simple question. No wrong answers. I would. I think you always get the all-time great when you have a chance but I do acknowledge the potential downside here. But I like to roll the dice on personnel moves.

Editor’s note: I don’t think Durant is interested in Boston so this is purely academic
One note, this is the rare case where the trading team probably doesn't care what the player wants, nor does the receiving team. Durant has 4 years on his deal, and he's too old and good and concerned with his legacy to threaten to sit out. He'll go wherever the Nets get the best offer in all likelihood.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Well, first of all, the most important question is what JT wants. It obviously could go either way but if I were in charge, I'd be picking up the phone to talk to him. Hypothetically, of course.

One note, this is the rare case where the trading team probably doesn't care what the player wants, nor does the receiving team. Durant has 4 years on his deal, and he's too old and good and concerned with his legacy to threaten to sit out. He'll go wherever the Nets get the best offer in all likelihood.
Well, KD isn't going to a non-contender I would think so he does have some control. And I think the Nets are going to want to send him to a reasonable situation where he has a chance to win I would think.
 

DGreenwood

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One note, this is the rare case where the trading team probably doesn't care what the player wants, nor does the receiving team. Durant has 4 years on his deal, and he's too old and good and concerned with his legacy to threaten to sit out. He'll go wherever the Nets get the best offer in all likelihood.
If that's the case, why don't the Nets just keep him despite his trade request? In other words, why does he have enough pull to demand a trade now but the acquiring team wouldn't worry about him doing the same thing to them?
 

Just a bit outside

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I feel like this comes down to the laundry vs. player question. I voted to keep Jaylen because I love rooting for this team and love JB. I can freely admit that I think the team would have a better chance to win the next couple years with Durant but they are already close and I want to see what happens. Saying that, I would quickly get over it and be all in.
 

thehitcat

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It's irrational because Durant is the better player but no Jaylen (and Jayson) are untouchable for me. It's why I'd make a crappy GM.
 

Lazy vs Crazy

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I love Jaylen, and him being on a team with Kyrie again pains me to think about, but get it done, Brad.
 

DGreenwood

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I voted yes but I'm fine either way. It seems like an increased chance to raise one banner in the next couple of years vs trying to build a dynasty that could get several cracks at it.
 

Jeff Van GULLY

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Yes, you do it. It improves the team and keeps KD off Miami or their main competition for the title in the West. They would then have a three year window with the Smart/KD/Rob/Tatum core.
 

Kliq

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Part of living such a charmed existence as a sports fan is that I've seen enough championships from my teams to last a lifetime. I don't feel like my teams need to be desperately swinging for the fences at every chance to win a possible title. At this point, I'd rather have the enjoyment of seeing a team organically built around two superstars that we have watched grow from two teenage rookies to two all-stars win it all than a team featuring the mercenary Durant, a hugely unlikeable personality. That difference outweighs the fact that the Celtics could be a marginally better team with Durant instead of Brown (and whatever is packaged with him).

I also think it would be unnecessary since the Celtics were so close to winning a title this year and I believe they can totally do it with their current team, especially given that Brown and Tatum have gotten better every single year they have been in the league and there is no reason to think that won't continue to be the case. People are acting like the Celtics got crushed in the second round and NEED to make a move to win a title.

I would have a hard time enjoying a team that sent Jaylen Brown, who carried their asses at critical junctures when Tatum was laying an egg, to within two games of a title, to basketball purgatory in order to get an unlikeable player who is 10% or whatever better than him.
 

lars10

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I feel like this comes down to the laundry vs. player question. I voted to keep Jaylen because I love rooting for this team and love JB. I can freely admit that I think the team would have a better chance to win the next couple years with Durant but they are already close and I want to see what happens. Saying that, I would quickly get over it and be all in.
It’s also not just Jaylen.. to match salaries you’d have to gut the team. So you’re trading your second best player who isn’t even in his prime and a couple other players for the over the hill years of Durant after he’s already had one major surgery. If it was straight up Jaylen for Durant I’d still probably say no because of how they’re trending career wise.. Jaylen and more? No thanks.
 
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Cellar-Door

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It’s also not just Jaylen.. to match salaries you’d have to but the team. So you’re trading your second best player who isn’t even in his prime and a couple other players for the over the hill years of Durant after he’s already had one major surgery. If it was straight up Jaylen for Durant I’d still probably say no because of how they’re trending career wise.. Jaylen and more? No thanks.
I mean, you could do it with Theis and flotsam. Then replace Theis with the MLE, and honestly if you're signing up for Durant you probably go deep into the tax by using part of the TPE
 

Ale Xander

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Depends on what the + is and how long you are committed to Durant, but straight up, definitely.
 

lars10

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I mean, you could do it with Theis and flotsam. Then replace Theis with the MLE, and honestly if you're signing up for Durant you probably go deep into the tax by using part of the TPE
Ok.. I thought I’d read they’d also have to include another large salary.. the nba salary cap and trades makes my head hurt and is completely incomprehensible to me I’ll admit
 

lovegtm

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Part of living such a charmed existence as a sports fan is that I've seen enough championships from my teams to last a lifetime. I don't feel like my teams need to be desperately swinging for the fences at every chance to win a possible title. At this point, I'd rather have the enjoyment of seeing a team organically built around two superstars that we have watched grow from two teenage rookies to two all-stars win it all than a team featuring the mercenary Durant, a hugely unlikeable personality. That difference outweighs the fact that the Celtics could be a marginally better team with Durant instead of Brown (and whatever is packaged with him).

I also think it would be unnecessary since the Celtics were so close to winning a title this year and I believe they can totally do it with their current team, especially given that Brown and Tatum have gotten better every single year they have been in the league and there is no reason to think that won't continue to be the case. People are acting like the Celtics got crushed in the second round and NEED to make a move to win a title.

I would have a hard time enjoying a team that sent Jaylen Brown, who carried their asses at critical junctures when Tatum was laying an egg, to within two games of a title, to basketball purgatory in order to get an unlikeable player who is 10% or whatever better than him.
Love this perspective.

(Quick note: Jaylen is an FA in 2 years, so he's not ending up in purgatory for long in that scenario, a year at most.)
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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I'd do it if the deal was something like KD & Seth Curry for Jaylen, Horford, Pritchard and picks. Smart/Curry/Tatum/KD/Timelord with Grant and White off the bench. But I don't want to do the deal if it includes Smart or Timelord. I don't care what picks are included, the C's would be banner chasing for a few years.
 

Granite Sox

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I think Durant has already peaked athletically and it's all downhill from here. Injuries are starting to become a regular occurrence for him. He also has thin skin. No thanks.

Tatum just showed he doesn't (yet) have the intestinal fortitude to lead this team to a championship. I think Brown is the more mature, more competitive Celtic (jmho). Combined with his age and ongoing year-to-year improvement, I'd much rather keep Brown than trade him for an aging Durant.

Tatum is more talented than Brown, but I have my doubts that he can be THE leader for the Celtics moving forward.
 

Jimbodandy

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I'd probably think hard about doing it, if it were Jaylen plus pure salary filler and no picks. But it won't be. We'd also be weakening the team somewhere else now (like Grant or White) and probably having to add firsts. I'm a no.

edit: I was all in on Ray and KG because the team had mostly sucked for 20 years. This team was two games away from a championship.
 

The Social Chair

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I think Durant has already peaked athletically and it's all downhill from here. Injuries are starting to become a regular occurrence for him. He also has thin skin. No thanks.

Tatum just showed he doesn't (yet) have the intestinal fortitude to lead this team to a championship. I think Brown is the more mature, more competitive Celtic (jmho). Combined with his age and ongoing year-to-year improvement, I'd much rather keep Brown than trade him for an aging Durant.

Tatum is more talented than Brown, but I have my doubts that he can be THE leader for the Celtics moving forward.
1. Durant should age very well. He never jumped out of the building.
2. Tatum would be the favorite to win the MVP if he had a healthy Durant on the wing. We've gone over why he struggled in the finals enough here.
 
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Cellar-Door

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1. Durant should age very well. He never jumped out of the building.
2. Tatum would be the favorite to win the MVP if he had a healthy Durant on the wing. We've gone over why struggled in the finals enough here.
Honestly Durant would be the favorite to win MVP
 

PRabbit

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No, because the thought of winning a title with an organically grown core is much more appealing, top 10-15 player of all time or not.
 

fairlee76

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It's irrational because Durant is the better player but no Jaylen (and Jayson) are untouchable for me. It's why I'd make a crappy GM.
I don't see it as a slam dunk but I would also make a terrible GM. The age (34 to start next season), recent history of leg injuries, and thin skin would give me pause. As would my blinding love for JB.

Injury-wise, anyone have a comp for an older star getting healthy after the three seasons below? Counting on TimeLord and KD to stay injury-free for a full playoff run seems optimistic.

2019-20 - Missed the entire season due to Achilles
2020-21 - Missed 37 of 72 games (mostly due to a hamstring injury)
2021-22 - Missed 27 of 82 games (mostly due to an MCL injury)
 

Eddie Jurak

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Durant for Brown plus salary matching? Why is there no "HELL NO!!!!" option in this poll.

Durant will be 34 next season and he is on the hook for $44, $46, $49, and $53 million over the next 4 years. He's also been injury prone over the past few years. What are you getting for that money? 50 games? 60?

That's an obscene amount of money to pay for a player who, while still great, may not be during the last year or two - during which you aren't going to be able to move him with that contract. He was mediore to bad for most of the playoffs against Boston. He doesn't fit their defensive system, so the team would have to reinvent itself as a scoring team that can be scored upon.

More palatable to me would be Durant for Horford and Theis. That would still require reinventing the team and it would leave them very short of center depth behind Rob which they would have to fix with the MLE/TPE. But at least you get a legit "Big 3" out of the deal, along with Smart, White, and Rob. KD can recruit some vet min depth to that team.

The other ways to do it are Smart+White+Nesmith. That kills the point/wing depth.

If the Celtics are extremely bearish on Rob's health, maybe White+Rob+Theis? No reason to think they are this bearish on Rob or that they should be.

This also would commit the Celtics to either 1) spending way above the cap for the foreseeable future, incurring lost of repeater tax, or 2) destroying the team on the back end of Durant's deal. Might end up making the SA pick swap valuable for SA.
 

BigSoxFan

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Durant for Brown plus salary matching? Why is there no "HELL NO!!!!" option in this poll.

Durant will be 34 next season and he is on the hook for $44, $46, $49, and $53 million over the next 4 years. He's also been injury prone over the past few years. What are you getting for that money? 50 games? 60?

That's an obscene amount of money to pay for a player who, while still great, may not be during the last year or two - during which you aren't going to be able to move him with that contract. He was mediore to bad for most of the playoffs against Boston. He doesn't fit their defensive system, so the team would have to reinvent itself as a scoring team that can be scored upon.

More palatable to me would be Durant for Horford and Theis. That would still require reinventing the team and it would leave them very short of center depth behind Rob which they would have to fix with the MLE/TPE. But at least you get a legit "Big 3" out of the deal, along with Smart, White, and Rob. KD can recruit some vet min depth to that team.

The other ways to do it are Smart+White+Nesmith. That kills the point/wing depth.

If the Celtics are extremely bearish on Rob's health, maybe White+Rob+Theis? No reason to think they are this bearish on Rob or that they should be.

This also would commit the Celtics to either 1) spending way above the cap for the foreseeable future, incurring lost of repeater tax, or 2) destroying the team on the back end of Durant's deal. Might end up making the SA pick swap valuable for SA.
Why don’t you think Durant fits the Celtics’ defensive system? I see him as a great fit in that respect given his ability to switch and defend multiple positions.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Why don’t you think Durant fits the Celtics’ defensive system? I see him as a great fit in that respect given his ability to switch and defend multiple positions.
Age. Missed games. His team getting swept by the Celtics in the playoffs. But you could be right and I could be being overly harsh.
 

BigSoxFan

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Age. Missed games. His team getting swept by the Celtics in the playoffs. But you could be right and I could be being overly harsh.
Ok, none of that really is his fit in the system. I think the age/injury concern is fair. But if he’s available, you have a 2 man scoring duo that would be better than anyone else in the league and two 6’9-6’10 elite defenders along with the DPOY and TL for whatever he can give you. That would be intriguing to me but I don’t begrudge those who want to keep Jaylen.
 

EL Jeffe

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I'd be awfully worried about KD bailing after two seasons. There's a little bit of a pattern at this point.

I voted not sure and I'm still not sure. That sort of trade could make sense but they really aren't far away with the corps they have so the gamble would be pretty big.
 

HomeRunBaker

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No freakin brainer. 4 years control of a still elite Durant to pair with Tatum gets us a min of one ring without anything else on the roster (assuming the + are a couple #1’s and no rotation players).
 

Justthetippett

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Rooting for the homegrown core of the team is much more meaningful to me. If I’m Brad I actually use this as a chance to reinforce my commitment to JB and try to sign him to an extension. Oh and send him to Steph Curry ball handling camp.
 

tmracht

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Sitting here wearing a the energy is about to shift shirt and....I guess I do it anyways even though I love all that Jaylen stands for off the court. Would hurt though.
 

bankshot1

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I want a 34 YO KD to pinky promise he waaaaaaants to play in Boston before I think of trading a 10 year younger All-Star wing for the next 5 years and a shit ton of 1s and or Smart/TL as part of the package.

Celts can win now w/o Durant.

The pay-of is KD wants out of the Boerum Hill Ballers the day after KI opted in.
 

Jimbodandy

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No freakin brainer. 4 years control of a still elite Durant to pair with Tatum gets us a min of one ring without anything else on the roster (assuming the + are a couple #1’s and no rotation players).
To make the money work, it can't be Jaylen plus picks. It would include rotation players.
 

fairlee76

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I'd be awfully worried about KD bailing after two seasons. There's a little bit of a pattern at this point.

I voted not sure and I'm still not sure. That sort of trade could make sense but they really aren't far away with the corps they have so the gamble would be pretty big.
He bailed after three years with Golden State and two years (on-court) with Brooklyn and he's a quirky dude so maybe he goes for the 3-2-1!
 

benhogan

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Nope. Riding with the JAYs. KDs talent is undeniable, but so is his age/injury history. Plus Durant has no interest in being part of the Celtics

Brad would be wise to come out publicly and say Brown is NOT available. I get a sense Jaylen needs a hug.
 

Ed Hillel

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This is never happening, by the way.
Why?

Nets are going to take the best package from a team that KD won't completely tank for. Phoenix has the inside track, but if Ayton doesn't want to go there and Phoenix doesn't want to trade Booker (both are possible), I'd peg Boston as a strong candidate. Jaylen plus is tough to beat from a contender.
Nope. Riding with the JAYs. KDs talent is undeniable, but so is his age/injury history. Plus Durant has no interest in being part of the Celtics

Brad would be wise to come out publicly and say Brown is NOT available. I get a sense Jaylen needs a hug.
Durant's age...ok, but how confident are we Brown isn't essentially a 2 year rental at this point?
 

benhogan

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Durant's age...ok, but how confident are we Brown isn't essentially a 2 year rental at this point?
The odds of Brown being a 2yr rental are less than a persnickety KD demanding a trade or not even showing up in Boston

JB would be giving up a lot of $$$ if he opts to sign elsewhere. I suspect he is here for the long haul
 

EvilEmpire

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Does Jaylen want to go to Brooklyn? If he does, that might help.

The best package the Nets can get includes a star who actually wants to be in Brooklyn. If others don't, the Nets are better off keeping the (better) disgruntled star they already have and continue to look for a better deal or hope they can patch things up instead of bringing in a new star who already doesn't want to be there.

So I guess the question I have is, who wants to go to Brooklyn?
 

bankshot1

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Given our recent trade history with the Nets I can't easily see the Nets trading KD to the Celts. Maybe he can re-up with Harden in Philly.

Nets want this guy way out of the division.
 

Euclis20

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Does Jaylen want to go to Brooklyn? If he does, that might help.

The best package the Nets can get includes a star who actually wants to be in Brooklyn. If others don't, the Nets are better off keeping the (better) disgruntled star they already have and continue to look for a better deal or hope they can patch things up instead of bringing in a new star who already doesn't want to be there.

So I guess the question I have is, who wants to go to Brooklyn?
I'm sure there are plenty of players who would like to play in NYC, but who wants to play for this Nets team with no recent history of success and absolutely no clue who else will be on the roster on opening day? Kyrie may or may not be there, Simmons may or may not be there (and if he's there he may not even play), and the rest of their roster is replaceable.
 

DGreenwood

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Given our recent trade history with the Nets I can't easily see the Nets trading KD to the Celts. Maybe he can re-up with Harden in Philly.

Nets want this guy way out of the division.
Huh? Isn't Philly in the same division as the Nets and Celtics?
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Durant is better now and likely is better than Jaylen Brown will ever be. Unless you think Brown has a chance to level up again and stay there, you do it if you value winning.
 

bankshot1

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Huh? Isn't Philly in the same division as the Nets and Celtics?
I was being TIC. The point was the Ainge Nets trade was transformatioal for both the Celts and Nets. I'm not sure tthe Nets want to chance the next metamorphosis with a div rival. The Nets if forced to move KD wants him far far far away.
 

Jimbodandy

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Durant is better now and likely is better than Jaylen Brown will ever be. Unless you think Brown has a chance to level up again and stay there, you do it if you value winning.
I'm not trying to talk anyone out of this, but it's not just about valuing winning.

There's a risk profile with huge stars like Durant that you're back in this boat in 2 years. Second, you have to factor in who else goes with Brown to match salaries. Now, those folks factoring in all of those variables and trigger calling Brooklyn and packing JBs bags aren't crazy, but it's not just a straight KD > JB expression.
 

Cellar-Door

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I'm not trying to talk anyone out of this, but it's not just about valuing winning.

There's a risk profile with huge stars like Durant that you're back in this boat in 2 years. Second, you have to factor in who else goes with Brown to match salaries. Now, those folks factoring in all of those variables and trigger calling Brooklyn and packing JBs bags aren't crazy, but it's not just a straight KD > JB expression.
I think there is a good case the Nets want more than the Celtics are giving.
Salary isn't a major concern unless people are real torn up about adding Theis.

I will say though, sure Durant may want out in 2 years... but Jaylen can walk for nothing in 2 years. He 100% isn't signing an extension for financial reasons, so there is actually a much higher chance of losing Jaylen for nothing in 2 years, where Durant you can recoup assets with 2 years left on his deal if he wants out.
 

jose melendez

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Why?

Nets are going to take the best package from a team that KD won't completely tank for. Phoenix has the inside track, but if Ayton doesn't want to go there and Phoenix doesn't want to trade Booker (both are possible), I'd peg Boston as a strong candidate. Jaylen plus is tough to beat from a contender.
Durant's age...ok, but how confident are we Brown isn't essentially a 2 year rental at this point?
The Cs won't do it. They came 2 games from the championship with what they have now. Getting a 33 year old KD might win you a ring, but he's had serious injuries recently, he's tempermental and he's 33. The Cs don't think they need him to win it.
 

Ed Hillel

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I'm not trying to talk anyone out of this, but it's not just about valuing winning.

There's a risk profile with huge stars like Durant that you're back in this boat in 2 years. Second, you have to factor in who else goes with Brown to match salaries. Now, those folks factoring in all of those variables and trigger calling Brooklyn and packing JBs bags aren't crazy, but it's not just a straight KD > JB expression.
Theis/Nesmith gets you there, not really giving up too much. But you might need to give up a Grant Williams, depending on other offers they get.
I think there is a good case the Nets want more than the Celtics are giving.
Salary isn't a major concern unless people are real torn up about adding Theis.
Sure, the Nets would love to get better than the highest offer they get, as well. The question is whether Jaylen is the best they'd get, and I think it's a real possibility. The ball is in Phoenix's court imo. After that? I'd say Jaylen seems like a pretty good offer.
The Cs won't do it. They came 2 games from the championship with what they have now. Getting a 33 year old KD might win you a ring, but he's had serious injuries recently, he's tempermental and he's 33. The Cs don't think they need him to win it.
I'd be surprised if they haven't already made clear to BKN that Jaylen is available. Last year was a golden opportunity to thread some needs that are probably going to close this offseason, especially with Durant moving. I think it's a move you really have to make if it's there.
 
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