Kevin Durant Rumors

[Phenom]

I don't remember if this was discussed yet but the Crunch Wears No Pants pod said they have a source (who called the DLO trade and Mike extension) that said the Suns and Wolves were at the finish line on Saturday night for Rob, DDV and Julius on a new deal. But KD nixed it when he said he wouldn't re up.

I said a few weeks back that a KD trade was fairly straightforward and figured its those 3 since Mike is supposedly not being moved and because I didn't think there was an appetite to include Rudy from either side.

I was meaning to go listen to that podcast. I would do that trade.

That’s probably an accurate report given the reliability of this source in the past. I wouldn’t do that deal if I were TC because I think it undervalues Dilly, Donte and Julius while overvaluing Durant. Note that the extension Durant refused to sign with the Wolves is reported to be around 2 years, $120 million. So if this deal happened, we’d have Durant for three years, age 37, 38 and 39, at $54 million, $60 million and $60 million in each of those years. Meanwhile we’d be giving up a very talented young guy at a position of need - PG - who we’ll be paying $6.5 to $8.7 million per year over that same period with the inside track on re-signing him long term if he turns out to be really good as I think he will. So the deal is highly questionable based solely on the inclusion of Dilly. And let’s not forget that Donte is a really good player in his prime at age 28 who had a bit of an off year this past season but will likely bounce back next season. As for Julius, I’ve never liked his fit on the Wolves with Rudy and Ant but he was a major contributor to the Wolves making the Conference Finals as our #2. Durant was the #2 on a team that didn’t even make the play-in. If the Suns are interested in Julius then certainly others teams are as well, which means we can pass on Durant get still value for Julius in a sign-and-trade. Keeping the still relatively young Randle one more year wouldn’t be bad either. Right now keeping him can be viewed as an insurance policy against the possible loss of Naz in free agency.

I think the value of Ju, DDV, and Rob for KD is pretty fair if you consider that KD isn't prone to the cold stretches that Ju and DDV have shown. KD is soooo consistent with what he brings each night. Rob is the wild card. What has Finch and TC seen with a year in the program? If they are willing to include him, does that give us valuable information?

The biggest reasons I am leaning away from a KD trade, with the information we have, is the extension he is likely expecting. If he wants a max extension, I dont see the fit. KD also has shown how he waffles on his commitments. I don't want the Wolves to have to put him back on the trade market again in a year or two. If KD was all-in and locked in with this team and took more of a Rudy type extension, I think that offer is fair but the off the court factors sour this for me.

[Q-is-here]

I was meaning to go listen to that podcast. I would do that trade.

That’s probably an accurate report given the reliability of this source in the past. I wouldn’t do that deal if I were TC because I think it undervalues Dilly, Donte and Julius while overvaluing Durant. Note that the extension Durant refused to sign with the Wolves is reported to be around 2 years, $120 million. So if this deal happened, we’d have Durant for three years, age 37, 38 and 39, at $54 million, $60 million and $60 million in each of those years. Meanwhile we’d be giving up a very talented young guy at a position of need - PG - who we’ll be paying $6.5 to $8.7 million per year over that same period with the inside track on re-signing him long term if he turns out to be really good as I think he will. So the deal is highly questionable based solely on the inclusion of Dilly. And let’s not forget that Donte is a really good player in his prime at age 28 who had a bit of an off year this past season but will likely bounce back next season. As for Julius, I’ve never liked his fit on the Wolves with Rudy and Ant but he was a major contributor to the Wolves making the Conference Finals as our #2. Durant was the #2 on a team that didn’t even make the play-in. If the Suns are interested in Julius then certainly others teams are as well, which means we can pass on Durant get still value for Julius in a sign-and-trade. Keeping the still relatively young Randle one more year wouldn’t be bad either. Right now keeping him can be viewed as an insurance policy against the possible loss of Naz in free agency.

I think the value of Ju, DDV, and Rob for KD is pretty fair if you consider that KD isn't prone to the cold stretches that Ju and DDV have shown. KD is soooo consistent with what he brings each night. Rob is the wild card. What has Finch and TC seen with a year in the program? If they are willing to include him, does that give us valuable information?

The biggest reasons I am leaning away from a KD trade, with the information we have, is the extension he is likely expecting. If he wants a max extension, I dont see the fit. KD also has shown how he waffles on his commitments. I don't want the Wolves to have to put him back on the trade market again in a year or two. If KD was all-in and locked in with this team and took more of a Rudy type extension, I think that offer is fair but the off the court factors sour this for me.

Yeah, there are three potential trap doors with a KD trade:

1. Do we have to give up too much in assets to get him?

2. Does he demand an extension that hamstrings our flexibility beyond next season?

3. How does he hold up in terms of both health and productivity given his age?

There is a fourth that others have noted about his attitude and getting coaches fired, etc., but I feel like that is less of a concern at this stage in his career, especially with the continuity of Finch, Ant, and Jaden.

There is a scenario where I would be OK with the trade, but it's a pretty narrow one that would involve giving up little to no youth and having a contract that either steps down in value for two years and/or gives us a team option in the second year.

[Lipoli390]

That’s probably an accurate report given the reliability of this source in the past. I wouldn’t do that deal if I were TC because I think it undervalues Dilly, Donte and Julius while overvaluing Durant. Note that the extension Durant refused to sign with the Wolves is reported to be around 2 years, $120 million. So if this deal happened, we’d have Durant for three years, age 37, 38 and 39, at $54 million, $60 million and $60 million in each of those years. Meanwhile we’d be giving up a very talented young guy at a position of need - PG - who we’ll be paying $6.5 to $8.7 million per year over that same period with the inside track on re-signing him long term if he turns out to be really good as I think he will. So the deal is highly questionable based solely on the inclusion of Dilly. And let’s not forget that Donte is a really good player in his prime at age 28 who had a bit of an off year this past season but will likely bounce back next season. As for Julius, I’ve never liked his fit on the Wolves with Rudy and Ant but he was a major contributor to the Wolves making the Conference Finals as our #2. Durant was the #2 on a team that didn’t even make the play-in. If the Suns are interested in Julius then certainly others teams are as well, which means we can pass on Durant get still value for Julius in a sign-and-trade. Keeping the still relatively young Randle one more year wouldn’t be bad either. Right now keeping him can be viewed as an insurance policy against the possible loss of Naz in free agency.

I think the value of Ju, DDV, and Rob for KD is pretty fair if you consider that KD isn't prone to the cold stretches that Ju and DDV have shown. KD is soooo consistent with what he brings each night. Rob is the wild card. What has Finch and TC seen with a year in the program? If they are willing to include him, does that give us valuable information?

The biggest reasons I am leaning away from a KD trade, with the information we have, is the extension he is likely expecting. If he wants a max extension, I dont see the fit. KD also has shown how he waffles on his commitments. I don't want the Wolves to have to put him back on the trade market again in a year or two. If KD was all-in and locked in with this team and took more of a Rudy type extension, I think that offer is fair but the off the court factors sour this for me.

Yeah, there are three potential trap doors with a KD trade:

1. Do we have to give up too much in assets to get him?

2. Does he demand an extension that hamstrings our flexibility beyond next season?

3. How does he hold up in terms of both health and productivity given his age?

There is a fourth that others have noted about his attitude and getting coaches fired, etc., but I feel like that is less of a concern at this stage in his career, especially with the continuity of Finch, Ant, and Jaden.

There is a scenario where I would be OK with the trade, but it's a pretty narrow one that would involve giving up little to no youth and having a contract that either steps down in value for two years and/or gives us a team option in the second year.

Nice assessment, Q. You’ve captured my thoughts perfectly.

[BloopOracle]

If he doesn't get traded here I hope he gets banished to Toronto!!!

[Lipoli390]

Sam Amick on the Kevin Durant trade saga:

"(Suns) clearly don't like what they're hearing from San Antonio, Houston and Miami...Phoenix is almost trying to nudge him to (Minnesota). ... We're a little ways away."

@sam_amick | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons

I think it’s safe to say that the consensus reporting has the Suns trading Durant to the Wolves if Durant is willing to sign and extension with Minnesota. Apparently, offers from the other three main contenders for Durant are not as good as Minnesota’s offer. So nothing has changed in the past few days. I appears that the only thing saving Tim Connelly from overpaying for the 37-year old Durant is Kevin Durant and his aversion to playing here.

All of this means TC knows he’s offering more than Durant’s market value as determined by the rest of the League. The vast majority of teams are not pursuing him and the few other team pursuing him are offering significantly less than TC has apparently put on the table. And TC is offering more value than an other team knowing that Durant doesn’t really want to come here, waiting for KD to change his mind.

[TheFuture]

Sam Amick on the Kevin Durant trade saga:

"(Suns) clearly don't like what they're hearing from San Antonio, Houston and Miami...Phoenix is almost trying to nudge him to (Minnesota). ... We're a little ways away."

@sam_amick | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons

I think it’s safe to say that the consensus reporting has the Suns trading Durant to the Wolves if Durant is willing to sign and extension with Minnesota. Apparently, offers from the other three main contenders for Durant are not as good as Minnesota’s offer. So nothing has changed in the past few days. I appears that the only thing saving Tim Connelly from overpaying for the 37-year old Durant is Kevin Durant and his aversion to playing here.

All of this means TC knows he’s offering more than Durant’s market value as determined by the rest of the League. The vast majority of teams are not pursuing him and the few other team pursuing him are offering significantly less than TC has apparently put on the table. And TC is offering more value than an other team knowing that Durant doesn’t really want to come here, waiting for KD to change his mind.

So if I was TC I would drop my offer immediately. Make the Suns come asking at my table.

[rapsuperstar31]

Sam Amick on the Kevin Durant trade saga:

"(Suns) clearly don't like what they're hearing from San Antonio, Houston and Miami...Phoenix is almost trying to nudge him to (Minnesota). ... We're a little ways away."

@sam_amick | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons

I think it’s safe to say that the consensus reporting has the Suns trading Durant to the Wolves if Durant is willing to sign and extension with Minnesota. Apparently, offers from the other three main contenders for Durant are not as good as Minnesota’s offer. So nothing has changed in the past few days. I appears that the only thing saving Tim Connelly from overpaying for the 37-year old Durant is Kevin Durant and his aversion to playing here.

All of this means TC knows he’s offering more than Durant’s market value as determined by the rest of the League. The vast majority of teams are not pursuing him and the few other team pursuing him are offering significantly less than TC has apparently put on the table. And TC is offering more value than an other team knowing that Durant doesn’t really want to come here, waiting for KD to change his mind.

TC won't trade for Durant unless Durant say's he want's to be here and buys in. Rudy wanted to come here, and that was a big reason he traded for him.

[Monster]

I think the value of Ju, DDV, and Rob for KD is pretty fair if you consider that KD isn't prone to the cold stretches that Ju and DDV have shown. KD is soooo consistent with what he brings each night. Rob is the wild card. What has Finch and TC seen with a year in the program? If they are willing to include him, does that give us valuable information?

The biggest reasons I am leaning away from a KD trade, with the information we have, is the extension he is likely expecting. If he wants a max extension, I dont see the fit. KD also has shown how he waffles on his commitments. I don't want the Wolves to have to put him back on the trade market again in a year or two. If KD was all-in and locked in with this team and took more of a Rudy type extension, I think that offer is fair but the off the court factors sour this for me.

Yeah, there are three potential trap doors with a KD trade:

1. Do we have to give up too much in assets to get him?

2. Does he demand an extension that hamstrings our flexibility beyond next season?

3. How does he hold up in terms of both health and productivity given his age?

There is a fourth that others have noted about his attitude and getting coaches fired, etc., but I feel like that is less of a concern at this stage in his career, especially with the continuity of Finch, Ant, and Jaden.

There is a scenario where I would be OK with the trade, but it's a pretty narrow one that would involve giving up little to no youth and having a contract that either steps down in value for two years and/or gives us a team option in the second year.

Nice assessment, Q. You’ve captured my thoughts perfectly.

I agree with what Q says for the most part although I still have some concern with Durant and Finch as the coach. I think there is some fair criticism of Finch but I think his positives overall put weight he negatives. I'm not confident that hiring someone else would be better. See the 2024-2025 Suns as an example.

I'll add that if it was a 3 for 1 deal that would mean the Wolves would have 2 roster spots to fill. One of those might be NAW as they would need more help at PG with Dillingham gone and there would be an opportunity to keep him. If the Wolves were able to add or keep even one pretty good player as a result of moving 3 guys it doesn't seem quite as tough. For example what if the trade looked more like this?

Randle Dillingham Donte for
Durant NAW and retaining Minott or adding another worthwhile vet min FA? Maybe this trade even makes Naz want to stay more?

In addition it's worth considering that in this proposed deal the Wolves keep all their young assets except Dillingham. No more draft picks no giving up TSJ or Clark or Miller. It's not that I'm holding tightly onto Miller but he could become a little more relevant if Naz were to leave. So the Wolves would still have those draft picks this draft to get some more cheap young players. Maybe Connelly thinks there is some player in this draft he might be able to acquire that could be a long term fit next to Edwards...or maybe he thinks adding Durant he could get by with a lesser scoring PG option like NAW playing minutes can work while they look or develop someone...or maybe he thinks he can get a FA like Tyus. What about a guy like Fultz one of the other vet PGs that are out there? There is a pretty decent group of PGs available.

I still prefer is Durant isn't all in to move on but if this deal happened there are some things that would make me more ok with it. Like someone else said if they are willing to include Dillingham...that might mean something.

[Lipoli390]

Sam Amick on the Kevin Durant trade saga:

"(Suns) clearly don't like what they're hearing from San Antonio, Houston and Miami...Phoenix is almost trying to nudge him to (Minnesota). ... We're a little ways away."

@sam_amick | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons

I think it’s safe to say that the consensus reporting has the Suns trading Durant to the Wolves if Durant is willing to sign and extension with Minnesota. Apparently, offers from the other three main contenders for Durant are not as good as Minnesota’s offer. So nothing has changed in the past few days. I appears that the only thing saving Tim Connelly from overpaying for the 37-year old Durant is Kevin Durant and his aversion to playing here.

All of this means TC knows he’s offering more than Durant’s market value as determined by the rest of the League. The vast majority of teams are not pursuing him and the few other team pursuing him are offering significantly less than TC has apparently put on the table. And TC is offering more value than an other team knowing that Durant doesn’t really want to come here, waiting for KD to change his mind.

TC won't trade for Durant unless Durant say's he want's to be here and buys in. Rudy wanted to come here, and that was a big reason he traded for him.

The problem is that there’s no way for TC to know whether Durant “wants to be here” or “buys in.” Durant might eventually relent and agree to sign a 2-year $120 million extension here as his only path to get out of Phoenix because no other teams will budge on their offers. But reluctantly agreeing under those circumstances to take $175 million over three years from the Wolves doesn’t signal that he wants to be here or is buying in to being here. It just means he’s willing to be here in exchange for a lot of money and to leave a place where he’s worn out his welcome.

[Crazysauce]

Why do we value Dillingham so lowly? He's 20 years old and barely got any run. We traded to get him. We need to develop a pg. Does everyone here think he is a bust? It's crazy to me those that are so easily willing just to toss in Rob. I'd give Randle Donte 31 and Minott and that's it. Otherwise just walk away. Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't do. Trading Rob this young without giving him a chance to develop would be a mistake. I'm not sold on Rob reaching his potential but I'm not moving him for an old grouchy 37 yr old wanting a big contract.