I'm curious if (and if so, how) this changes things for Dame assuming that the Blazers aren't the ultimate destination for Durant. I could see several things happening: 1) does seeing another superstar "running from the grind" makes him more emboldened his efforts and ties to Portland? 2) Does seeing him end up in place like Phoenix (and perhaps Kyrie in LA) change his mindset on the feasibility of building a contending team in Portland? Does it start to feel like a loss a cause? I certainly hope that this is all moot as Durant ends up in Portland and we are parading next June, that said, I could see something in this vein changing the dynamics for Dame.
Just keep in mind that if Durant doesn’t get dropped into the Golden State Warriors ELITE teams - all time best elite record wise - we are looking at a guy who is amazing no doubt but has long ass career, no titles and jumping from team to team chasing rings and instead of being the man to build around, clearly needs other mega stars who will be 35 in September.
Yeah but that takes one call with one question, "Does everything we can offer," which comes down to EBEC, S&T Ant, Nas, Keon, Shaedon's rights and every draft asset we can possibly send, "have a chance?" If the answer is no we tell Dame we tried to give them everything and it didn't work. Our vets don't stand a chance against the other vet packages that are being floated around. So unless the Nets are putting out a smokescreen about not wanting young talent and picks to but instead wanting established players, in order to drive up offers with young talent and picks... we're out and that can be straightened out in a phone call that doesn't have to last five minutes. The truth is that call has already been made and the answer has already been given and it's a no because why else would they have just fucking traded for Royce O'Neal... dude's 29. They're going to get the best win now package they can for Durant and then the best win now sign and trade for Kyrie. We can move the fuck on while while maybe six or seven teams falls all over themselves, with all but two of them coming up empty.
He was by far the best player on our Team USA squad. Kinda makes you think about what KP said about one winning scoring titles and one winning championships between him and Oden.
Maybe he has other ideas about where he wants to play? I’m sure he’s looking for a max contract. Do the Nets see him as the guy they want to invest those dollars in? There are a lot of factors in play.
I don't think its realistic for the Nets to acquire players like Ayton in a sign and trade, or Ant. It would hard cap them. They just added $10 million in salary from acquiring Royce Oneal into a trade exception. Plus Ayton would be on a massive max contract and have questionable value beyond that contract. Same restrictions apply to us and sending them Ant in a trade, or adding Ingles as salary filler. A 3rd team would have to be involved with cap space to absorb those sign and traded players while sending win now assets back to the Nets. Just seems much more likely the Nets focus on players under contract to acquire for value. Hypothetically lets say the Blazers want to get in on this; we don't really have veteran talent to send out besides Hart which obviously is nowhere close to enough. We'd have to involve a 3rd team that gets Sharpe, future picks, pick swaps, possibly Ant sign and trade, etc and sends starters back to the Nets. Finding a Durant trade might turn out to be pretty difficult. Obviously Nets want a massive haul, but the other team needs assets to still contend after adding Durant.
Brooklyn should definitely trade Durant to Houston for all their picks back. Then they're free to tank! Plus it would be good punishment for Durant.
If I’m joe and Brooklyn would rather have cap space next year… take protections off the bulls pick use Bledsoe’s contract and try to get bridges
