2022 Off-Season Around the League

[Porckchop]

Why would players want to play with Durant or Kyrie at this point? Why would anyone want to coach them. Their both bad for business.

[Lipoli390]

Why would players want to play with Durant or Kyrie at this point? Why would anyone want to coach them. Their both bad for business.

I agree, Pork. I wouldn't want to play with or coach either one. And I wouldn't want either on my team if I were an owner or GM. But I'm sure the Lakers want Kyrie and I expect they'll end up with him in some sort of deal involving Westbrook. And some team will trade for Durant because he's still a great player who, unlike Kyrie, will show up and play unless hurt. Nevertheless, I still wouldn't want him on my team. I wonder if the Celtics are still willing to offer Jaylen Brown in a package for Durant. Maybe not after Durant's latest antics.

[Monster]

I agree Monster, they are a really good team on paper. And if I'm Brooklyn, I basically tell Durant and his agent and any team asking about a trade that they will demand what Minnesota got for Gobert, but instead of role players they want an all-star caliber young player in return along with the picks.

I can accept a superstar player getting fed up with a coach or a franchise if they ultimately fail to build a culture, system, and/or obtain the talent to be really competitive. We've seen plenty of examples dating back to the 80s of a superstar player ultimately getting a coach fired because they just weren't on the same page. Or eventually wanting to move on since his team just couldn't build a winner around him. But guys like Durant, Irving, and Harden have taken things too far. Enough!

I basically agree with your post Q.

The way Harden went about his exit from Houston was not good but I will say it did or does seem (especially in hindsight) like his time there may have run it's course. Houston didn't seem able and/or truly willing to build a true contender around Harden (some may say part of that was on Harden himself) and so I can see why either side would have decided to move on. Like you have said before maybe you give a guy a pass for the first time wanting out but then Harden wanted out again after playing a season's worth of games? Yikes.

[Monster]

Why would players want to play with Durant or Kyrie at this point? Why would anyone want to coach them. Their both bad for business.

I agree, Pork. I wouldn't want to play with or coach either one. And I wouldn't want either on my team if I were an owner or GM. But I'm sure the Lakers want Kyrie and I expect they'll end up with him in some sort of deal involving Westbrook. And some team will trade for Durant because he's still a great player who, unlike Kyrie, will show up and play unless hurt. Nevertheless, I still wouldn't want him on my team. I wonder if the Celtics are still willing to offer Jaylen Brown in a package for Durant. Maybe not after Durant's latest antics.

I think if I'm a team where Durant is essentially a missing piece to a legitimately possible championship I would be willing to consider a deal for him. He is still a hell of a player and while he has moved from team to team I don't see him as a guy that's actually going to hurt what you do on his own. If you have a strong team I think he is going to help you if he can stay healthy. How much would I give up for him? Idk. Would I give up Jaylen Brown for him? Maybe. I'd have to make a decision about how good Brown is now and how good I thought he would be. I haven't watched him enough to make that call. The real question is how much more do I have to give up? That's probably what makes me not want to pull the trigger.

Kyrie? Pass. I mean the Lakers sure they already have a flawed talented player in Westbrook. Kyrie might be an upgrade if heathy but who knows about that. I'm kinda interested to see what Westbrook still has this season. I do think he has dropped off from what he was but I think he can still play.

[Lipoli390]

Here's the latest report on the Durant Saga:

"Kevin Durant sees Celtics, 76ers as desired trade landing spots,"

If I were the Nets owner, I'd make a point of not trading Durant to either the Celtics or Sixers.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Here's the latest report on the Durant Saga:

"Kevin Durant sees Celtics, 76ers as desired trade landing spots,"

If I were the Nets owner, I'd make a point of not trading Durant to either the Celtics or Sixers.

I can definitely appreciate this type of thinking, but if I was Sean Marks and Boston offered Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a bevy of future first-round picks and swaps, then I wouldn't care about Kevin Durant's wishes or preferences. I'd just be taking what would likely be the best offer on the table for a player that wants to leave Brooklyn anyways.

I actually don't think another team will be willing to offer a player anywhere near as good as Brown so that alone could force the Nets to consider what packages they could get from the Celtics.

[Monster]

Here's the latest report on the Durant Saga:

"Kevin Durant sees Celtics, 76ers as desired trade landing spots,"

If I were the Nets owner, I'd make a point of not trading Durant to either the Celtics or Sixers.

I'm getting the best deal I can get for Durant and if it's a preferred destination fine. I see little reason to sink to some sort of level that might hurt my own organization. Plenty of teams have benefited from star players demanding to go elsewhere. Look at what OKC got for Paul George and everyone basically knew he was gonna go to the Clippers.

Besides in the back of my mind I'm thinking there is a decent chance Durant isn't healthy in the playoffs anyways. The Nets are a pretty talented team even if Kyrie can't play at all especially if Ben Simmons is healthy and even 75% of what he once was. Add all-star level player like Jaylen Brown and maybe another good player coming back to them plus other assets? They could still be a possible contender. Maybe they even could make a run at Donovan Mitchell.

Also I think it would be hilarious if Durant went to the Sixers with Harden.

[Sundog]

I'm a long time Celtic fan, and no way would I mess with the trajectory and chemistry of the Celtics to acquire Durant. The Cs had a pretty great off season after making the NBA finals last season. No need to give up important and improving assets like Brown for the aging, spoiled superstar.

[Monster]

I'm a long time Celtic fan, and no way would I mess with the trajectory and chemistry of the Celtics to acquire Durant. The Cs had a pretty great off season after making the NBA finals last season. No need to give up important and improving assets like Brown for the aging, spoiled superstar.

I feel like Jaylen Brown continues to be undervalued or overlooked or whatever as a player. I remember the draft express guys still believing in his talent before that draft (so I kinda was too) and other people (media etc) were poking holes in him and Ainge and the Celtics got that pick correct too. Same sort of thing to some extent was happening with Tatum also in that draft and Ainge did well there too.

Anyways Brown is a pretty good offensive player and is also a plus defender. Now I'm leaning away from being willing to deal him for Durant and thinking I was a little guilty of undervaluing him too. When is Brown extension eligible?

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm a long time Celtic fan, and no way would I mess with the trajectory and chemistry of the Celtics to acquire Durant. The Cs had a pretty great off season after making the NBA finals last season. No need to give up important and improving assets like Brown for the aging, spoiled superstar.

I feel like Jaylen Brown continues to be undervalued or overlooked or whatever as a player. I remember the draft express guys still believing in his talent before that draft (so I kinda was too) and other people (media etc) were poking holes in him and Ainge and the Celtics got that pick correct too. Same sort of thing to some extent was happening with Tatum also in that draft and Ainge did well there too.

Anyways Brown is a pretty good offensive player and is also a plus defender. Now I'm leaning away from being willing to deal him for Durant and thinking I was a little guilty of undervaluing him too. When is Brown extension eligible?

I think that's the rub.

He's an UNRESTRICTED free agent in 2024.

And the Celtics probably know more than most whether he's happy or disgruntled or somewhere in-between. With past rumblings and now the Durant leaked stuff... there's no sure thing that Brown resigns in Boston, especially if they don't have anything more to offer than any other team.