Kevin Durant Sweepstakes
- Thread starter Ed Hillel
- Start date
I'll join the No Durant brigade with zero regrets. Trading an all-star wing PLUS at two more rotation pieces PLUS future 1sts for a player who has missed almost half his games over the past two years? Nah, I'm good with all that.
I'd argue that the Finals were lost because of a lack of depth, not top level talent. Adding Gallo and Brogdon solves that assuming injury luck.
I'd argue that the Finals were lost because of a lack of depth, not top level talent. Adding Gallo and Brogdon solves that assuming injury luck.
I'm 100% fine if they just run to back with Brogdon and Gallo. Having said that, if it's Jaylen without anything else of significant value (White and a pick at most), I suppose in Brad we trust.
When you look around the league, there are just so few realistic spots. I don't see anyone trading their best player for a 34 year old KD so you are left looking for team with a really good/young 2nd best player that is interesting enough to the Nets. Plus that team has to think the upgrade from player X to KD is the difference maker to winning a title.
Bam and Jaylen might be about it. And Bam requires Simmons to move first. I guess maybe if Anthony Edwards is on the table he could work? Just not a lot of options that thread the needle here, Jaylen is by far the most realistic.
When you look around the league, there are just so few realistic spots. I don't see anyone trading their best player for a 34 year old KD so you are left looking for team with a really good/young 2nd best player that is interesting enough to the Nets. Plus that team has to think the upgrade from player X to KD is the difference maker to winning a title.
Bam and Jaylen might be about it. And Bam requires Simmons to move first. I guess maybe if Anthony Edwards is on the table he could work? Just not a lot of options that thread the needle here, Jaylen is by far the most realistic.
I admit that I tend to see things through green colored glasses and I am on team drive Jaylen to the airport if it gets us Durant, but that is how I read it as well. Between that and the little nugget about Durant’s relationship with Ime in the Athletic article, I’m really starting to think this happens and it’s sooner rather than later.
Yes nobody in sports ever gets fired after a vote of confidence.
Edit:
“Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”
Can you see the invisible ‘but’ in the middle of that statement?
Last edited:
The wildcard here is Tsai. Maybe he is the owner some folks have been waiting for to teach labor how to honor their contracts. Otherwise, it looks like Durant is going to have to find a new place to complain about.
Did they issue a public denial when his name was involved in AD and Kawhi trade rumors? I honestly don't know, and I guess either way it may mean that his name was or was not included
Yeah that's crazy talk. They don't run around confirming or denying internet rumors, whether the story is blue checked or not.
I'm kind of surprised there isn't more NOLA talk by the media
Ingram + Jones + Nance Jr + picks galore (Lakers pick swap) feels competitive with
JB + White+ one pick (if that was the offer)
I honestly read it as an "and", not a "but". He's saying Durant doesn't get to tell us what to do. Those guys are safe.
At least with KD you get one of the 15-20 best players of all time, 2x finals MVP and one of the most unstoppable high volume scorers ever. Other than one amazing shot, Kyrie's legacy is that he's a gigantic flake whose talent far outstrips his on-court impact.
Whats changed recently? Isn’t it still the same 4 or 5 teams (Boston, Toronto, New Orleans, Miami, Phoenix) that have been discussed since his trade demand went public?
Phoenix isn't really an option since Ayton re-signed (at least not right now), nor is Miami as long as Simmons is still in Brooklyn. Has NO ever actually been discussed as a legit possibility, other than some people noting that there could be an interesting trade fit there?
Are you saying Steve Nash is safe and they are going to force KD to play under him? Or that Steve Nash is the asset Tsai will choose - in the best interests of the Nets - and KD will be traded?
Marks I have less of a read on. Maybe I am missing something but I don’t get why they would be sold on or devoted to Nash. I’d fire him without all this KD crap. He’s not even Paul Westhead.
NO has only been discussed since Ingram is not on a designated rookie extension.
Thanks for posting. The leaks do appear to be coming from the Durant camp. Although, I believe Tsai coming out in support of his coaches just lets everyone know he won't be pushed around and makes a deal less likely. The dude is the co-founder of Alibaba; he didn't let the CCP get him either. Tsai could just let this play out and make Durant play or fine him if he doesn't.
Is it just me, or is KD mishandling this situation?
KD’s desire to see Nash and Marks replaced is understandable. If he made the demand privately, it would be perceived as an olive branch — he initially demanded a trade, but his real problem is with the coach and GM, and he’d be happy to stay if they were replaced by people whom he had a hand in selecting. By making the demand public, however, he essentially forced Tsai to give Nash and Marks an (undeserved) vote of confidence. Now, it’s an open power struggle, and I don’t see how Tsai meets KD’s demand without losing face.
KD’s desire to see Nash and Marks replaced is understandable. If he made the demand privately, it would be perceived as an olive branch — he initially demanded a trade, but his real problem is with the coach and GM, and he’d be happy to stay if they were replaced by people whom he had a hand in selecting. By making the demand public, however, he essentially forced Tsai to give Nash and Marks an (undeserved) vote of confidence. Now, it’s an open power struggle, and I don’t see how Tsai meets KD’s demand without losing face.
To me, seems like a clear sign that he’s getting frustrated with the lack of progress on a deal. I doubt he wants to be dealing with the uncertainty for much longer given that the season is approaching. But now we appear to be at a real stalemate. Celtics won’t go nuts with their offer. Their alternative of keeping the younger Brown is perfectly fine. The Nets’ alternative of having a major KD distraction/mutiny is much more problematic. Tsai can’t appear weak but he also doesn’t have a great hand here.
Tsai could just let this play out and make Durant play for the Nets or sit out. That would put the onus on the league and commissioner to address the situation.
Edit: I also believe, that if the Celtic's offer was real, Tsai overplayed his hand too. I get that Tsai might not be overjoyed with the return but Durant also doesn't want to be there.
Last edited:
Tsai’s hand is fine. Rolling back the same team next season and hoping that a healthy Simmons and a full-time Kyrie are transformative isn’t a terrible option. (I don’t believe KD will pout or sit out.) Neither is swapping out KD for Jaylen. Neither path makes Brooklyn a serious title contender in 2022-23, but you can only undo the KD/Kyrie mistake so quickly.
I don’t see why NO trades for Durant though; do they see a title with Durant and Zion? That’s a huge gamble. Especially if Durant is unhappy, then they’re stuck with a guy who doesn’t want to play for them. I still think he stays and forces out next year. But it’s going to be painful for BRK.
His top 3 players would be complete flakes with minimal trade value aside from KD. Could be worse but I wouldn’t call it “fine” either.
Somewhat related-
Ric Bucher- In a Nets team group chat, some asked Ben Simmons if he was going to play in game 4...his response was to leave the chat.
View: https://twitter.com/nonbiasednbafan/status/1556122534243962880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1556122534243962880%7Ctwgr%5Ef8dab6daaf436973983e684508808695f89f7b22%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fahnfiredigital.com%2Fnba%2Fbrooklyn-nets%2Fric-bucher-says-ben-simmons-left-nets-group-chat-after-team-asked-him-to-play-in-game-4-vs-celtics%2F
Ric Bucher- In a Nets team group chat, some asked Ben Simmons if he was going to play in game 4...his response was to leave the chat.
View: https://twitter.com/nonbiasednbafan/status/1556122534243962880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1556122534243962880%7Ctwgr%5Ef8dab6daaf436973983e684508808695f89f7b22%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fahnfiredigital.com%2Fnba%2Fbrooklyn-nets%2Fric-bucher-says-ben-simmons-left-nets-group-chat-after-team-asked-him-to-play-in-game-4-vs-celtics%2F
I think Tsai's hand is okay unless KD told him that he isn't going to play for BRK this year. At that point, his hand gets a lot worse.
If KD hasn't yet threatened to sit out, Tsai probably takes a wait and see approach. KD, KI, and a Simmons who is playing first-team all NBA defense while not a favorite is certainly in the mix.
I stopped doubting that Ben Simmons had bona fide mental-health issues when he wore that “Where’s Waldo?” outfit to Game 3. He’s self-sabotaging; it’s sad to see.
Exactly. KD + Zion gets you to the playoffs, but probably not very deep. KD probably doesn't have much interest in playing in NO, so it would be a huge risk to trade for him.
I'm on the fence here in terms of a Celtics trade. I'd only do it if it was Jaylen + White + a couple picks and that's only if the C's think they can't resign Jaylen long-term. This team is ready to go back to the finals, as is, and for many years to come. Trading Jaylen for KD significantly shortens that window, even if it gives them a higher chance of winning the title in the next year or two.
That tweet is defiance. They had no plans on replacing their top staff (especially at this late date), and the ultimatum isn’t changing that. As for Durant’s fate, they’ll continue doing what they’ve been doing all along - looking for a suitable trade but not settling. Call Durant’s bluff if necessary. Sure, Kevin, go ahead and sit out one of your handful of remaining twilight years. We’ve got you for four.
If they can’t trade KD and he really doesn’t like the coach and front office then the coach and front office is gone. There have zero other options if KD's bluff isn't a bluff. Which, I agree, is dumb. He basically picked them out. He probably fucked up and deferred that over to Kyrie, and quickly realized his mistake in that decision.
What I think is hard to know is whether KD really is trying to get away from Kyrie (easy to believe, but unproven), Nash/Marks, Tsai, or all of them.
Saying "fire management" at this point suggests the last of those to me, because it isn't really yessable for Tsai. But no way to know.
I was in the "don't trade Jaylen for KD" camp all along and even moreso now....KD sought out this entire situation---the team, Kyrie, Nash---and trying to walk from it publicly now is not a great look.
Saying "fire management" at this point suggests the last of those to me, because it isn't really yessable for Tsai. But no way to know.
I was in the "don't trade Jaylen for KD" camp all along and even moreso now....KD sought out this entire situation---the team, Kyrie, Nash---and trying to walk from it publicly now is not a great look.
I will keep reminding people that a lot of NBA teams seem to operate assuming very tight timelines. It should not be a given that Brown gives the Cs a longer contention window.
IMO, the question should be whom gives the Celtics the best shot at winning over the next year or two - Brown+White+etc or Durant. Age and contract length aren't really major factors here imo.
The designated rookie rule allows teams to sign players coming off of rookie contracts to 5 year extensions (typically the limit is 4 years), but the catch is that a team can only have two such players at any given time, and only one of those two can be acquired by trade. Bam and Simmons both have these 5 year extensions, and since Simmons was already acquired via trade, the Nets can't get another player on the same sort of contract without first getting rid of Simmons. This rule also makes a Suns deal functionally impossible right now since Booker is another player on a 5 year extension, but it doesn't sound like the Suns every really considered letting him go regardless.
This is why the Heat just aren't a logical option, not as long as Simmons is around. Herro+ just isn't close to getting it done, the Heat aren't giving up Butler, and Bam isn't possible.
Definitely not a given, for sure. But we are talking about a 25 year old Jaylen Brown vs a 33 year old Durant. If the C's could sign Jaylen long term, you've got the J's together a lot longer than a Tatum/Durant combo.
But if we're looking at who gives the team the best shot of winning over the next year or two, I can't argue that Jaylen is the better option.
Like I said, I'm on the fence. Guys like Horford, Smart, etc might not be around much longer, so you've got to consider making that run now and Durant definitely gives you a better chance to get a title or two while the team has this core. And while I love Jaylen and his upside, he's never going to be the scorer that KD is. (and if the C's do make the move, I'll be all in on Kevin Durant).
It would be more accurate to "who once was" before "one of the"
Yeah, celts defense was primed to stop him, and he didn't have a ton of help.
Still, a player who is Performing at an All Time Great Level would of been more effective (think Lebron in the 2007 when he took a lottery team to the finals).
This tells me KD is on the downslope of his career -- still an all star, but not guaranteed to be a top 3 player.
And don't forget how friggin good Jaylen is, especially when healthy. JB health is not guaranteed, but its more likely than KD's health!
Last edited:
Right this is "Do you want a Bigger window that only opens 3/4? Or a Smaller window that opens Wider?"
The Key really is Jaylens happiness. If he isnt....well then maybe this trade is the move.
If he is happy being 1B or a 2A++ to Tatum then you probably keep him.
The Key really is Jaylens happiness. If he isnt....well then maybe this trade is the move.
If he is happy being 1B or a 2A++ to Tatum then you probably keep him.
the Nets’ front office has expressed privately that the team plans to take “every last asset” from a team that trades for Durant.
I imagine that rubbed KD the wrong way. He's probably like Ky and I signed here and all they lost was an overpriced DAR. Now they want to treat me like some "asset" to be sold to the highest bidder
I'm not saying KD is right, but there are three sides to every story. KD's, the Nets, and the truth. And no one is lying...
While KD for JB obviously makes the Celtics a stronger team in the short run, I'm not sure it's a stronger team in the long-run, and if you throw in the idea of a whole bunch of FRPs - I think I really struggle to get excited about that.
It probably wouldn't be a stronger team in the long run, but if adding KD gets them over the hump and hangs banner 18 I wouldn't think twice about making a deal. Ever since the rumors started I've thought of it as KG trade 2.0. Jaylen is far more valuable than anybody that went to Minnesota in the KG trade, but in both cases you're trading a bunch of young talent for a super-duper-star at the back end of their prime. I'm a Jaylen fan and winning it all with home grown talent would be cool, but I could not be more excited about the possibility of pairing Kevin freaking Durant and Jayson Tatum.
I concur with all of this. And as far as windows opening and closing, long-term or short-term, I think the late aught Celtics provide a good look at why you can't count on anything in this league. The Celtics looked primed to win multiple titles, but a Perkins knee injury and a Garnett long-term injury cost them. There are no guarantees, so I think you always have to go with the best shot to win it all. And the best shot to win it all is with Durant, not Brown.
We’re in the minority here but I’m with you. Be bold. Get the all time great and pair him with a younger star in Tatum and a good supporting cast. I want to see that duo play together.
There is no long-term in the NBA unless you are a terrible team in asset collection mode.
And with no guarantees about Jaylen’s next contract, acquiring KD’s longer deal may by default be the better long-term move anyway.
As long as you keep Tatum and are able to continue putting pieces around him, the long-term will take care of itself.
All caveats apply about my heart wanting a homegrown title but I will take any title.
And with no guarantees about Jaylen’s next contract, acquiring KD’s longer deal may by default be the better long-term move anyway.
As long as you keep Tatum and are able to continue putting pieces around him, the long-term will take care of itself.
All caveats apply about my heart wanting a homegrown title but I will take any title.