Suns trade Kevin Durant to the Rockets

[Mainstreet]

Yep, the biggest kick in the nuts was the fact that we all thought KD was going to have us as final contenders for at least 2-3 years. We never even came close.

I never liked the trade for Kevin Durant, but this is kicking a dead horse.

He is a clutch shooter and good at isolation basketball, but the Suns needed someone to help carry the team. This wasn't him.

 

[Chaplin]

Lol. Nothing to discuss on the basketball end, just attacking Suns fans for not jumping for joy for getting a turn sandwich.

Can you just focus on discussing the basketball here, or are you just going to be a troll?

Stop throwing accusations around when you aren't even addressing what this is about. I didn't turn it into a gigantic useless and pathetic argument, you did by claiming something that isn't true.

I'm not a troll, and you know I'm not.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Yes, so what? You implied that it was the Suns that pulled the deal because Durant said he didn't want to go there, when that wasn't the case.

So what? Who cares if I just clearly acknowledged what you intimated I was ignoring?

What you fail to realize is that once the Suns decided they were going to trade KD at the trade deadline, they needed to execute immediately before KD would get involved and do exactly what he did.

The Suns FO completely destroyed the relationship with KD by attempting to trade him without his knowledge, and the weak return is a symptom of their strategy.

If you can't understand this very basic point, we don't have much to talk about.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I never liked the trade for Kevin Durant, but this is kicking a dead horse.

He is a clutch shooter and good at isolation basketball, but the Suns needed someone to help carry the team. This wasn't him.

Yep, the worst leader as a superstar of anyone I can remember. Just zero interest in being an alpha.

 

[Chaplin]

So what? Who cares if I just clearly acknowledged what you intimated I was ignoring?

What you fail to realize is that once the Suns decided they were going to trade KD at the trade deadline, they needed to execute immediately before KD would get involved and do exactly what he did.

The Suns FO completely destroyed the relationship with KD by attempting to trade him without his knowledge, and the weak return is a symptom of their strategy.

If you can't understand this very basic point, we don't have much to talk about.

Fine, then stop freaking talking. If you can't or won't refute my claim, then what's the problem? You want to blame the Suns for the failure of the GS trade, go right ahead, but fault clearly lies at the feet of Durant and Golden State. It's not my fault you refuse to acknowledge it.

And while you are technically right, the Suns should have just did what they needed to do -- they can't control Durant's conversations with Golden State. And in a player's league, do you actually think they wouldn't allow KD to talk to the Warriors?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Stop throwing accusations around when you aren't even addressing what this is about. I didn't turn it into a gigantic useless and pathetic argument, you did by claiming something that isn't true.

You're continuing to argue that the Suns FO isn't to blame for our current predicament. On top of that, you're blaming Suns fans for being unsatisfied with an incredibly terrible stretch over the last 15+ years. What kind of basketball talk is that?

I'm not a troll, and you know I'm not.

You're not, which is why this tactic of attacking fans is beneath you.

 

[Chaplin]

You're continuing to argue that the Suns FO isn't to blame for our current predicament. On top of that, you're blaming Suns fans for being unsatisfied with an incredibly terrible stretch over the last 15+ years. What kind of basketball talk is that?

Current predicament--what? The only thing I stated is that the failure of the deal at the deadline wasn't the Suns fault. That's it. We're on the same page with everything else as far as I can tell.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Fine, then stop freaking talking. If you can't or won't refute my claim, then what's the problem? You want to blame the Suns for the failure of the GS trade, go right ahead, but fault clearly lies at the feet of Durant and Golden State. It's not my fault you refuse to acknowledge it.

You continue to absolve the Suns from blame, completely ignoring the fact that they started all of this!!!

Please please please read this and educate yourself:

"Part of the reason why is that Phoenix put itself in this position. By unsuccessfully attempting to trade Durant behind his back in February, an absolute no-no to star players, they soured the relationship. Before that, Durant was for all intents and purposes committed to re-signing. This summer could have been easier had they not agreed to a deal with Golden State that Durant shot down, never tried to trade him at all or actually traded him at the deadline. Good on Durant for taking control after how the Suns did him, something you can tell is still fresh on his mind when speaking with FanDuel’s Kay Adams once the news dropped."

And while you are technically right, the Suns should have just did what they needed to do -- they can't control Durant's conversations with Golden State. And in a player's league, do you actually think they wouldn't allow KD to talk to the Warriors?

Hey Chap - maybe the Suns should have considered this BEFORE PUTTING HIM ON THE TRADE BLOCK.

Your refusal to assign any blame to the Suns for all this went down is beyond bizarre.

 

[Mainstreet]

Are you assuming we are done moving money off the Books? I mean Ishbia said himself they eventually have to get under the 2nd Apron because he doesn't want our future drafts impacted. I wouldn't recall when that penalty kicks in. That is not "blabber". That is from the owner. Now if you feel we are done? I agree with you. Adding contracts that continue to put us over the 2nd Apron makes no sense if and when that penalty kicks in.

I am assuming we are not done but I would be totally wrong about that. They have to have a plan to get under the 2nd Apron before that penalty kicks in. If not? This team is a much bigger mess than I thought.

I definitely think the Suns have plans to get under the second tax apron to make moves.

Afterward, who knows. They might jump right back into it again.

 

[Chaplin]

You continue to absolve the Suns from blame, completely ignoring the fact that they started all of this!!!

Please please please read this and educate yourself:

"Part of the reason why is that Phoenix put itself in this position. By unsuccessfully attempting to trade Durant behind his back in February, an absolute no-no to star players, they soured the relationship. Before that, Durant was for all intents and purposes committed to re-signing. This summer could have been easier had they not agreed to a deal with Golden State that Durant shot down, never tried to trade him at all or actually traded him at the deadline. Good on Durant for taking control after how the Suns did him, something you can tell is still fresh on his mind when speaking with FanDuel’s Kay Adams once the news dropped."

Hey Chap - maybe the Suns should have considered this BEFORE PUTTING HIM ON THE TRADE BLOCK.

Your refusal to assign any blame to the Suns for all this went down is beyond bizarre.

"Beyond bizarre" -- geez, you are really going crazy about this.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Yep, the biggest kick in the nuts was the fact that we all thought KD was going to have us as final contenders for at least 2-3 years. We never even came close.

Don't say we all...when clearly there were some of us who hated the trade and predicted this outcome from jump.

Ishbia forcing the KD trade made it clear to me, he's all about image and isn't really that smart with basketball.

 

[Mainstreet]

Per Gambo, the Heat never made a serious offer for Durant, only garbage.

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[Mainstreet]

The Spurs reportedly never made an offer for Durant.

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[Chaplin]

The Spurs reportedly never made an offer for Durant.

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This makes total sense to me. They KNEW any negotiations with us for KD would start and end with the 2nd pick and/or Castle.

 

[Mainstreet]

This makes total sense to me. They KNEW any negotiations with us for KD would start and end with the 2nd pick and/or Castle.

If this is the case, I can see why the Spurs never made an offer.

IMO, they were never going to give up those two key pieces for Durant.

 

[Hoop Head]

If this is the case, I can see why the Spurs never made an offer.

IMO, they were never going to give up those two key pieces for Durant.

Makes sense. I know there was talk of the Vassell and #14 (I think) for KD but really that is kind of a no brainer. Of course if the Suns called and asked for that they would be game but that wasn't intriguing to the Suns so why open negotiations when the Spurs weren't serious or willing to offer a package the Suns might consider. The Suns wouldn't call OKC and offer Beal for Shai because it won't happen but if OKC was dumb enough to initiate the conversation then sure, we'll take it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Makes sense. I know there was talk of the Vassell and #14 (I think) for KD but really that is kind of a no brainer. Of course if the Suns called and asked for that they would be game but that wasn't intriguing to the Suns so why open negotiations when the Spurs weren't serious or willing to offer a package the Suns might consider. The Suns wouldn't call OKC and offer Beal for Shai because it won't happen but if OKC was dumb enough to initiate the conversation then sure, we'll take it.

I had some interest in Jeremy Sochan as well, but it is what is.

The Timberwolves might have made the best offer, but I didn't see it mentioned above.

 

[Ronin]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211909-why-knicks-wolves-reportedly-backed-kevin-durant-trade-amid-nba-rumors

 

[ASUCHRIS]

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Good riddance.

 

[Cheesebeef]

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Good riddance.

Great final kick in the nuts!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Durant is obviously a huge part of the reason our return was so weak for him. Refusing to play ball and making it very clear where he wanted to go was a huge impediment.

I don't think any of us here will remember the last 2.5 years with any fondness.

To be honest, I’ll have pushed the last 2.5 years outta my memory altogether within a year.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The Spurs reportedly never made an offer for Durant.

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I am now skeptical of these “we never made an offer” statements. I think they’re saying that to appease both their players who may have been rumored to be in the deal and their fans for not closing the deal. If this IS true then KD had essentially zero value and we can’t take stop killing the suns for the rockets deal because there wasn’t anything else out there. Can still kill them for the original KD acquisition, but the rockets deal would’ve been the best they could do.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25211909-why-knicks-wolves-reportedly-backed-kevin-durant-trade-amid-nba-rumors

Yeah I’m not entirely buying these.

 

[leclerc]

Without a doubt, ouchie. Some very forgettable moments from KD and Book and the team.

 

[Superbone]

Suns need to get back to team basketball. They lost it somewhere along the way.

The Suns built around Booker once. Maybe they can do it again.

I'm expecting to enjoy watching the Suns again, win or lose, next season after the last two miserable seasons. Watching the Durant-led Suns was not fun unless it was a close game and we needed a bucket at the end.