Kevin Durant Sweepstakes

Buster Olney the Lonely

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Jimbodandy

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I wonder if there will be more players moved for salary/CAP purposes, thus making the Celtic TPEs more interesting
CD was floating that idea too. Could end up being a good turn of events for us. Better player gets here than the speculation so far plus KD out west, trying to get past the Dubs again. Court intrigue.
 

Cellar-Door

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CD was floating that idea too. Could end up being a good turn of events for us. Better player gets here than the speculation so far plus KD out west, trying to get past the Dubs again. Court intrigue.
Possible, my general thought is what's more likely is a similar level player (or even one of the speculated players) but for free, keeping assets dry for other moves down the road
 

amfox1

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The Athletic has formulated a BRK-PHX deal that works under the cap with Ayton's BYC issues. It is essentially Bridges, Ayton (at $30.9mm max but only 50% counts for matching purposes), Shamet or Saric, Torrey Craig and draft picks for KD and Joe Harris.

BRK would still have to offload some salary (Shamet or Saric would likely do the trick) to stay below the tax apron but presumably that's very doable.
 

E5 Yaz

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If that Woj comment is the way this is moving ... who the hell would trade for both KD and Kyrie?
 

BigSoxFan

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If that Woj comment is the way this is moving ... who the hell would trade for both KD and Kyrie?
Or who the hell actually can? Miami would surely love to but it sounds like they wouldn’t be able to include Bam so they couldn’t match salaries.
 

Cellar-Door

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He’s not a kid. He’s in the industry and has nearly 600,000 followers. Not sure he has any sources though.
his tweets are mostly garbage and none of the top people follow him, tells me he has no sources
 

Ed Hillel

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Or who the hell actually can? Miami would surely love to but it sounds like they wouldn’t be able to include Bam so they couldn’t match salaries.
Well, if Ayton would agree to go to the Nets with Booker...I guess that could work? Paul and Kyrie would be lol.
 

Cellar-Door

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Well, if Ayton would agree to go to the Nets with Booker...I guess that could work? Paul and Kyrie would be lol.
Suns would also have to include either Bridges or some combination of players totaling around $20M. Ayton is BYC so he only counts as 50% of his salary for outgoing.
 

Ed Hillel

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Suns would also have to include either Bridges or some combination of players totaling around $20M. Ayton is BYC so he only counts as 50% of his salary for outgoing.
Oh, that's right. Maybe...Booker and Paul to the Nets, with Ayton agreeing to return in the new atmosphere? Gives Brooklyn a nice young piece in Booker and a large expiring deal/trade chip to a contender mid-year? I don't really know Ayton's mindset and if he's deadset on leaving Phoenix the franchise as contstructed or Phoenix the city.
 

djbayko

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He’s not a kid. He’s in the industry and has nearly 600,000 followers. Not sure he has any sources though.
I'm gonna just start tweeting that teams are engaged in talks and "no deal imminent". If no trade happens, it's impossible to prove I was wrong. And every once in a while, I'll crush it.
 

Cellar-Door

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I was partially joking, but the rationale would be that they get an actual asset in AD and a massive expiring deal in Russ, while ridding themselves of a horrendously toxic situation.

I would assume LA would have to throw in at least one future first rounder for there to be any real traction.
I think AD and multiple 1sts is the price for Durant, they could likely get something for Kyrie from someone, even if it's something minor.
 

Ed Hillel

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I think AD and multiple 1sts is the price for Durant, they could likely get something for Kyrie from someone, even if it's something minor.
Someone is taking Kyrie at that contract and giving up anything of value?

I’m not seeing it…

I’d also not be targeting AD at this point, but maybe they would. Lakers would have the most hated team in NBA history, though.
 

djbayko

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Someone is taking Kyrie at that contract and giving up anything of value?

I’m not seeing it…

I’d also not be targeting AD at this point, but maybe they would. Lakers would have the most hated team in NBA history, though.
AD games last 4 years:
56
62
36
40

That's quite an asset. Someone will put forth a better offer than AD and/or Westbrook for Durant. The Nets are under no obligation to deal him and Kyrie together, especially since at least one of them created this mess.
 

ragnarok725

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With two playoff appearances without LeBron to carry him.
He has also already shot his way out of town from a bad team once, can't imagine he'd be thrilled with being traded to purgatory. The Nets could find themselves in the same situation all over again selling dollars for pennies.
 

nighthob

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I’d also not be targeting AD at this point, but maybe they would. Lakers would have the most hated team in NBA history, though.
And that’s before we address how much the locker room is going to hate the Lakers.
 

ehaz

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How many picks can you trade in a decade? I’d need the max possible from 2030 to 2040 in addition to whatever the Lakers have left to consider that. AD is an awful return for a rebuilding team.
 

BigSoxFan

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The Nets turning down Jaylen/White/picks is hilarious to me. Go ahead and find a better package than that, Brooklyn. With Shams and Woj both on this, I think it’s pretty clear that this is real and there is smoke here. I was in favor of this deal before and I remain in favor as long as the price remains Jaylen/White. Smart is too much to give up but I doubt they would have to. They’re probably pushing for Grant as well.

With this now public, the Celtics now have some pressure to close the deal. Jaylen seems like the kind of principled guy to leave money on the table to prove a point.
 

Eddie Jurak

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From the Athletic:
The Celtics offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected, and Brooklyn has asked Boston — in any proposal — to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added. Currently, the Celtics are less inclined to include Smart along with multiple other player or pick assets, but the franchise is mulling over next steps on how to approach discussions.
This reporting is interesting if true. The draft pick must be an unprotected 2025 first - since they have traded their 2023 first, the Stepien rule blocks them from trading their 2024. Unless Stevens intends to go out and get a draft pick, but there seems no real path to doing that. Or maybe it is a 2024 pick swap?

Anyway, Brown+White+2025 unprotected first seems like a lowball offer. Almost a talk radio kind of offer.

So why make a lowball involving one of your stars - who will surely hear that you dangled him in trade talks?

Well, one possibility is that the lowball offer might be accepted. Years ago, I played in a fantasy baseball league with a guy who knew baseball very well (went on to do analytics for an MLB team), and his strategy in trades was to make his offer and just stick with it until someone gave in and made the deal. And he unsurprisingly usually got the better of his trades.

I don't think there's any chance the Celtics can persist with a lowball offer until Brooklyn just capitulates and agrees, but maybe there are other NBA factors at work here, such as Durant really wanting out.

Another possibility is that the Celtics are ready and willing to increase their offer if Brookyn is serious. Shams says the Celtics won't go Brown+Smart+picks (plural)+other rotation player (Brooklyn's ask), but will consider raising their offer.

I don't like the deal at Brooklyn's asking price. I'm skpetical about banking the whole future of the Tatum Celtics on an aging star - great as he is - who will be making so much money that the Celtics will struggle to afford to put a core around him and might be hauling in upwards of $50 MM during a couple of years where his production is notably worse than that. Giving up Smart AND a rotation player (White? Grant? Pritchard? Rob?) puts a lot of pressure on Brogdon to stay healthy and thins out the bench to a "worse than the bench that killed us against Golden State in the finals" level.

Maybe they just felt obliged to offer something, knowing it won't happen? This one I'm skeptical of. Not sure what they gain, and now they have to smooth things over with one of their 2 stars.

Also, would this deal mean Tatum starts at guard?
 

MillarTime

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The Nets turning down Jaylen/White/picks is hilarious to me. Go ahead and find a better package than that, Brooklyn. With Shams and Woj both on this, I think it’s pretty clear that this is real and there is smoke here. I was in favor of this deal before and I remain in favor as long as the price remains Jaylen/White. Smart is too much to give up but I doubt they would have to. They’re probably pushing for Grant as well.

With this now public, the Celtics now have some pressure to close the deal. Jaylen seems like the kind of principled guy to leave money on the table to prove a point.
100%. Brad needs to close this now or we could be looking at trying to trade Jaylen a year from now to avoid losing him for nothing.
 

Cesar Crespo

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100%. Brad needs to close this now or we could be looking at trying to trade Jaylen a year from now to avoid losing him for nothing.
Why? They could just deny it and Brown can still get paid more in Boston.

Should we trade Marcus Smart too? He's been in trade rumors for 5 years.
 

BaseballJones

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Also, would this deal mean Tatum starts at guard?
It would make for one hell of a tall starting lineup.

G - Brogdon (6'5")
G - Tatum (6'8")
F - Durant (6'11")
F - Horford (6'10")
C - Williams (6'9")

Even if they don't go by positions, that is a tall and LONG lineup.
 

Jakarta

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It would make for one hell of a tall starting lineup.

G - Brogdon (6'5")
G - Tatum (6'8")
F - Durant (6'11")
F - Horford (6'10")
C - Williams (6'9")

Even if they don't go by positions, that is a tall and LONG lineup.
KD allows Al or TL to accept a sixth man role in a way acquiring Briton does not
 

lovegtm

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From the Athletic:

This reporting is interesting if true. The draft pick must be an unprotected 2025 first - since they have traded their 2023 first, the Stepien rule blocks them from trading their 2024. Unless Stevens intends to go out and get a draft pick, but there seems no real path to doing that. Or maybe it is a 2024 pick swap?

Anyway, Brown+White+2025 unprotected first seems like a lowball offer. Almost a talk radio kind of offer.

So why make a lowball involving one of your stars - who will surely hear that you dangled him in trade talks?

Well, one possibility is that the lowball offer might be accepted. Years ago, I played in a fantasy baseball league with a guy who knew baseball very well (went on to do analytics for an MLB team), and his strategy in trades was to make his offer and just stick with it until someone gave in and made the deal. And he unsurprisingly usually got the better of his trades.

I don't think there's any chance the Celtics can persist with a lowball offer until Brooklyn just capitulates and agrees, but maybe there are other NBA factors at work here, such as Durant really wanting out.

Another possibility is that the Celtics are ready and willing to increase their offer if Brookyn is serious. Shams says the Celtics won't go Brown+Smart+picks (plural)+other rotation player (Brooklyn's ask), but will consider raising their offer.

I don't like the deal at Brooklyn's asking price. I'm skpetical about banking the whole future of the Tatum Celtics on an aging star - great as he is - who will be making so much money that the Celtics will struggle to afford to put a core around him and might be hauling in upwards of $50 MM during a couple of years where his production is notably worse than that. Giving up Smart AND a rotation player (White? Grant? Pritchard? Rob?) puts a lot of pressure on Brogdon to stay healthy and thins out the bench to a "worse than the bench that killed us against Golden State in the finals" level.

Maybe they just felt obliged to offer something, knowing it won't happen? This one I'm skeptical of. Not sure what they gain, and now they have to smooth things over with one of their 2 stars.

Also, would this deal mean Tatum starts at guard?
I too am hesitant at Tatum+an aging star, but things move fast in the NBA.

By the time KD aged out, you could just trade his expiring and All The Pickz for a new star to pair with Tatum.
 

JFK35

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It really comes down to Jaylen’s long term plans for me. If I’m very confident that Jaylen wants to resign here, then I pass. If not, I think I push that chip in here.
This is it.

Any chance you can get just Brown and picks would make this even more tolerable. Unlikely as it may seem
 

JFK35

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And if they win a title - it’s worth it.

I’d rather have a title and 12 years of mediocrity then 13 years of contending without a ring.
 

bosockboy

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Curious if there is a way to get Mitchell/Utah involved as a 3rd team, getting him to Brooklyn and Danny cleaning out our picks and taking Jaylen.
 

Cellar-Door

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Depends what you need to add, but Jaylen for KD not only makes you more likely to win the title this year, despite his age it probably gives you the longer window too, since Jaylen is going to hit UFA first (and all bets are off). If you really don't want his late seasons, you can also almost certainly re-trade KD for less after you get 2-3 title runs out of him.

The window on this team is now. Tatum is an All-NBA player in his prime, Smart, Brogdon, White (whichever are left) are in their prime on deals you may not want the next deal on. Gallo and Horford are still good but on the clock... this team has a short window already, as do all NBA teams.

As to Jaylen re-signing.... a lot of the recent stuff does not fill me with confidence if I'm the GM. Beyond the radio rumors....
Jaylen signing with Donda (their first signing, and based on his friendship with Kanye) says he wants a bigger profile than he has, and he's chasing "entertainment" cred.
Jaylen talking about his newfound friendship with Kyrie....
Even his trying to shop for a shoe deal for months (and not finding one he liked) also speaks to a guy unhappy with what his brand is as "the #2 in Boston"

Basketball-wise, KD is a clear big upgrade. And Jaylen's recent off-court moves do not instill any confidence that he's likely to return as an UFA.
 

the moops

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Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris, Jaylen Brown, Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton

Bench of Seth Curry, Derrick White, TJ Warren, Royce O'Neal

That's a pretty damn good team
 

Devizier

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Brown and White is definitely a lowball offer for Durant under contract but the Celtics likely offered it recognizing that the Nets don't have many other options.

The risk of such an opening offer is that the Nets can leak this to the media and create some inconvenience.

If a deal gets made, I don't see any major parameters changing, probably some added draft picks on the Celtics' side. What do the Nets want with Smart anyways? Are they seriously going to run a Smart-Simmons combination?
 

BigSoxFan

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Depends what you need to add, but Jaylen for KD not only makes you more likely to win the title this year, despite his age it probably gives you the longer window too, since Jaylen is going to hit UFA first (and all bets are off). If you really don't want his late seasons, you can also almost certainly re-trade KD for less after you get 2-3 title runs out of him.

The window on this team is now. Tatum is an All-NBA player in his prime, Smart, Brogdon, White (whichever are left) are in their prime on deals you may not want the next deal on. Gallo and Horford are still good but on the clock... this team has a short window already, as do all NBA teams.

As to Jaylen re-signing.... a lot of the recent stuff does not fill me with confidence if I'm the GM. Beyond the radio rumors....
Jaylen signing with Donda (their first signing, and based on his friendship with Kanye) says he wants a bigger profile than he has, and he's chasing "entertainment" cred.
Jaylen talking about his newfound friendship with Kyrie....
Even his trying to shop for a shoe deal for months (and not finding one he liked) also speaks to a guy unhappy with what his brand is as "the #2 in Boston"

Basketball-wise, KD is a clear big upgrade. And Jaylen's recent off-court moves do not instill any confidence that he's likely to return as an UFA.
This is how I feel and why I think this deal gets done. KD’s a worthwhile gamble when you don’t know where Jaylen’s head is at.
 

The Social Chair

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Durant will throw a huge temper tantrum to try to kill the deal even if they can agree on terms. I say go for it though. Both Jay's are walking when their deals are up anyway.
 

NDame616

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Durant will throw a huge temper tantrum to try to kill the deal even if they can agree on terms. I say go for it anyway. Both Jay's are walking when their deals are up anyway.
I'd have to assume the Nets have cleared it with him that he'd take a deal to Boston (and all the other rumored teams)
 

bosockboy

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Durant will throw a huge temper tantrum to try to kill the deal even if they can agree on terms. I say go for it though. Both Jay's are walking when their deals are up anyway.
He’d be a prohibitive favorite for a ring. Doubt he squawks. Plus the added juice of beating GS in a potential Finals rematch.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Durant will throw a huge temper tantrum to try to kill the deal even if they can agree on terms. I say go for it though. Both Jay's are walking when their deals are up anyway.
The only way this deal makes sense to me is of Durant wants in. If you are right about the tantrum, the Celtics should go nowhere near this.