Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:25 pm
AussieWolf posted the last rumored Wolves offer for KD: “Rumor is Rudy, DDV, Rob and 17 for Durant.” If that’s true, TC needs an emergency intervention. So glad KD didn’t want to come here!
I honestly doubt that was actually offered.
I think the blame/credit for KD not wanting to come here is Finch. Ok fine I'm mostly joking but I do think there is a chance that is the case. Supposedly KD loves the guy Houston just gave a pile of money to in an extension. We will see. Aaron Rogers supposedly really respects Mike Tomlin. We will see how that goes although I'd expect the Durant experience for Houston will go better. Lol
Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 1:59 pm
I've been largely quiet on the Durant front, but now that it's done I feel some relief. If we had made the move I would immediately be wondering how many games we would get out of him. I'm sure a healthy Durant would be impactful, but giving up multiple assets would have me feeling nervous about it. And not everyone can be effective into their late 30's like some players. Now we can focus on getting another ball handler which we desperately need.
As you know, I’ve been pretty vocal. So no surprise that I’m incredibly relieved. I think Houston did really well in this deal. They gave up the one young player they didn’t see as part of their future without giving up any of their top young top young talent - Sengun, Thompson, and Jabari Smith. If Durant misses a lot of games or declined precipitously, they won’t miss a beat as Sengun, Thompson and Smith get even better. The Suns did the best they could among the teams Durant was interested in. They got a talented young offensive player in Green and a tough veteran SG/SF in Brooks. They also got the #10 pick. But they still look like a lottery team to me and I don’t think #10 in this year’s draft is particularly valuable. As for the 5 second-round picks I guess a big enough quantity might eventually produce quality. Durant just didn’t have much market value. If the reports about the Wolves’ offer were accurate, I can see why the Suns reportedly wanted to trade KD to Minnesota. Fortunately for us, Durant refused to sign an extension with the Wolves and TC declined to do a one-year rental.
So yes, now let’s focus on getting another ball-handler!
Yep the Wolves again need more scoring. That was a problem the previous season and they ended up acquiring 2 players in Dillingham and Donte to help but it didn't totally play out. The good news is they also have TSJ and Donte and Dillingham have upside compared to last season. The bad news is we have no resolution on the NAZ Situation yet. Let's see what the draft brings.
I am relieved we didn't pick up Durant, but I an not happy with how it's going to improve Houston. Jalen Green had reportedly worn out his welcome there and they were looking for ways to move him, and I don't know that they are going to miss Brooks too much. I think they can challenge OkC now if Durant stays healthy and is motivated. It's the perfect situation for him. He'll clearly be "the man" and he'll have a very good supporting group with Thompson, Sengun, Van Vleet, Smith, etc. I see them now is the clear second best team in the west.
I think that’s where I land too, FNG. Pressure will be on the Wolves front office to keep pace, with new ownership, re-branding, a push for a new stadium, keeping Ant happy, etc. Guess that’s why they get the big bucks
FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 5:23 pm
I am relieved we didn't pick up Durant, but I an not happy with how it's going to improve Houston. Jalen Green had reportedly worn out his welcome there and they were looking for ways to move him, and I don't know that they are going to miss Brooks too much. I think they can challenge OkC now if Durant stays healthy and is motivated. It's the perfect situation for him. He'll clearly be "the man" and he'll have a very good supporting group with Thompson, Sengun, Van Vleet, Smith, etc. I see them now is the clear second best team in the west.
Houston will be better.
- I think it was clear by the end of the playoffs that Jalen Green would be shopped. The guy (primarily known as a dynamic scorer) scored only 48 points over the final 5 games of a hotly contested playoff series. That's a HUGE red flag for a promising young team looking to make the next step. Eventually, Houston gets some cap relief not paying Green $105M over the next three years.
- The #10 pick is a crapshoot. Obviously.
- Dillon Brooks... is either a love him or hate him guy. I think he's more expendable because (1) Amen Thompson is the new on-court tone-setter. (2) Ime Odoku is a culture coach anyway (3) gonna be replaced by Kevin Durant... which will give the Rockets exactly what they needed this season... a bucket-getter.
FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 5:23 pm
I am relieved we didn't pick up Durant, but I an not happy with how it's going to improve Houston. Jalen Green had reportedly worn out his welcome there and they were looking for ways to move him, and I don't know that they are going to miss Brooks too much. I think they can challenge OkC now if Durant stays healthy and is motivated. It's the perfect situation for him. He'll clearly be "the man" and he'll have a very good supporting group with Thompson, Sengun, Van Vleet, Smith, etc. I see them now is the clear second best team in the west.
Houston will be better.
- I think it was clear by the end of the playoffs that Jalen Green would be shopped. The guy (primarily known as a dynamic scorer) scored only 48 points over the final 5 games of a hotly contested playoff series. That's a HUGE red flag for a promising young team looking to make the next step. Eventually, Houston gets some cap relief not paying Green $105M over the next three years.
- The #10 pick is a crapshoot. Obviously.
- Dillon Brooks... is either a love him or hate him guy. I think he's more expendable because (1) Amen Thompson is the new on-court tone-setter. (2) Ime Odoku is a culture coach anyway (3) gonna be replaced by Kevin Durant... which will give the Rockets exactly what they needed this season... a bucket-getter.
I agree, Abe. As I mentioned in my post, I think this was a very good deal for Houston. They keep all but one of their six talented young guys — Sengun, Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed, and Cam Whitmore — all of whom they valued more highly than Green and on far more team-friendly contracts. They kept nearly all of their full cupboard of 1st-round draft capital including two future Phoenix first round picks along with all of their own. They also retained two of their three main vets — VanVleet and Adams — both of whom are far more important to the team than Brooks. Finally, as you noted they got the veteran bucket-getter they needed.
Durant needs to make it through an 82 game regular season healthy for Houston to have a shot of going further next season. Banking on 37 years old to be your best player hasn't worked well in the past even for some of the best players in modern basketball in Lebron, Curry, and Durant. Playoffs are a grind, and they just can't recover at that age nearly as quickly if you can't close out teams in 5 games or less.
FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 5:23 pm
I am relieved we didn't pick up Durant, but I an not happy with how it's going to improve Houston. Jalen Green had reportedly worn out his welcome there and they were looking for ways to move him, and I don't know that they are going to miss Brooks too much. I think they can challenge OkC now if Durant stays healthy and is motivated. It's the perfect situation for him. He'll clearly be "the man" and he'll have a very good supporting group with Thompson, Sengun, Van Vleet, Smith, etc. I see them now is the clear second best team in the west.
Houston will be better.
- I think it was clear by the end of the playoffs that Jalen Green would be shopped. The guy (primarily known as a dynamic scorer) scored only 48 points over the final 5 games of a hotly contested playoff series. That's a HUGE red flag for a promising young team looking to make the next step. Eventually, Houston gets some cap relief not paying Green $105M over the next three years.
- The #10 pick is a crapshoot. Obviously.
- Dillon Brooks... is either a love him or hate him guy. I think he's more expendable because (1) Amen Thompson is the new on-court tone-setter. (2) Ime Odoku is a culture coach anyway (3) gonna be replaced by Kevin Durant... which will give the Rockets exactly what they needed this season... a bucket-getter.
I agree, Abe. As I mentioned in my post, I think this was a very good deal for Houston. They keep all but one of their six talented young guys — Sengun, Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed, and Cam Whitmore — all of whom they valued more highly than Green and on far more team-friendly contracts. They kept nearly all of their full cupboard of 1st-round draft capital including two future Phoenix first round picks along with all of their own. They also retained two of their three main vets — VanVleet and Adams — both of whom are far more important to the team than Brooks. Finally, as you noted they got the veteran bucket-getter they needed.
Yeah. Good mention about the draft picks... I forgot to mention that. Houston is well stocked for its future.
Plus, they get off the $44M annual VanVleet contract next summer. They could probably bring him back if they want for a fraction of that...
- I think it was clear by the end of the playoffs that Jalen Green would be shopped. The guy (primarily known as a dynamic scorer) scored only 48 points over the final 5 games of a hotly contested playoff series. That's a HUGE red flag for a promising young team looking to make the next step. Eventually, Houston gets some cap relief not paying Green $105M over the next three years.
- The #10 pick is a crapshoot. Obviously.
- Dillon Brooks... is either a love him or hate him guy. I think he's more expendable because (1) Amen Thompson is the new on-court tone-setter. (2) Ime Odoku is a culture coach anyway (3) gonna be replaced by Kevin Durant... which will give the Rockets exactly what they needed this season... a bucket-getter.
I agree, Abe. As I mentioned in my post, I think this was a very good deal for Houston. They keep all but one of their six talented young guys — Sengun, Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed, and Cam Whitmore — all of whom they valued more highly than Green and on far more team-friendly contracts. They kept nearly all of their full cupboard of 1st-round draft capital including two future Phoenix first round picks along with all of their own. They also retained two of their three main vets — VanVleet and Adams — both of whom are far more important to the team than Brooks. Finally, as you noted they got the veteran bucket-getter they needed.
Yeah. Good mention about the draft picks... I forgot to mention that. Houston is well stocked for its future.
Plus, they get off the $44M annual VanVleet contract next summer. They could probably bring him back if they want for a fraction of that...
Yep. That’s why I’d probably put Houston’s basketball front office ahead of the Wolves and possibly up there with OKC’s. TC has made some nice moves and some particularly impressive draft picks in my view. But I can’t put him up there with the Rockets and Thunder front office executives by comparison. Nevertheless, the final chapter on TC’s tenure with the Wolves hasn’t been written yet. We’ll see what TC does with his two picks this summer, how he manages the free agency of NAW, Naz and Randle, and whatever else he does in free agency or the trade market. If TC re-signs Naz to a reasonable contract and drafts a gem or two this June he might emerge as a Presti-level chess player when his final chapter as Wolves President is written. Until then, I remain hopeful and positive even if a bit skeptical at times.
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 23, 2025 10:43 am
Durant needs to make it through an 82 game regular season healthy for Houston to have a shot of going further next season. Banking on 37 years old to be your best player hasn't worked well in the past even for some of the best players in modern basketball in Lebron, Curry, and Durant. Playoffs are a grind, and they just can't recover at that age nearly as quickly if you can't close out teams in 5 games or less.
That’s an appropriate caution, Superstar. I think it was a sensible risk for Houston given how little they gave up and how incredibly well stocked they are with young talent and 1st-round draft picks.
