Here are some thoughts as the second day of NBA Free agents deploy …
Kevin Durant Sweepstakes, Day 2
All eyes Phoenix As for Durant, Net A star believed to be targeting Sands as his preferred next destination.However, I I wrote it for a long time on Thursday How to trade centered on the restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton Small forward Mikal Bridge It may work on both sides, but the initial feeling is that it will take longer. Or something else to be clearer.
As Christian Winfield of the New York Daily News pointed out the blockbuster from Rudy Gobert to Minnesota. It fell on fridayNets offer price for Durant — as said, two all-stars — May have just gone up..There is no way Sands is trading Devin BookerHas just agreed to an extension of $ 224 million for four years.
Cameron Johnson is worth noting as a player who has the potential to move the Nets needle. But the truth is, it’s too early to know if Durant gets his wishes for the Valley of the Sun here.
While you’re waiting, find out more macro questions. why Does Durant seem to focus on Phoenix as the perfect place to continue his legendary career?Many factors can be involved here — the chance to contend again, the locale adjacent to LA, his relationship with Booker, and Chris Paul.. But when it comes to personal dynamics, his close relationship with Sands coach Monty Williams may be at the top of the list.
They spent a season together in Oklahoma City. In that 2015-16 campaign, Williams was Associate Head Coach under Scott Brooks and Durant was in his final. Thunder The day before heading Golden state With a free agent. The two men were already intimate during the season, but the bond became even deeper after Williams’ wife and mother died tragically to Ingrid, their five children. February 9, 2016, car accident.. A simple story that I will never forget from that time …
During the All-Star Weekend Toronto That year, I was planning to stop in Oklahoma City for an interview with Durant on my way back west (I’m based near Sacramento). But before the news of Ingrid’s death was reported, Durrants’ longtime business manager Rich Clayman informed me that the interview was turned off. Naturally, I asked why.
He shared terrible news about what happened and described Durant as devastated-like many others near Williams. A few years later, those who survived the situation with Williams say that when Durrants saw how to deal with all that pain gracefully, Durrants’ respect for him was greatly increased. (If you’ve never seen a great speech Williams gave at Ingrid’s funeral, please.. )
Shortly after Durant made the controversial choice to join the Warriors, he returned with Williams to Team USA, who won the Olympic gold medal in Rio with Durant as the top scorer. Since then, they have maintained an intimate relationship. Does that mean he’s tied to the phoenix? Not at all. But it may help people understand some of his motives at this time.
teeth Miami It may also appear to be involved, but it is said that there are serious obstacles to its front lines.Durant only wants to play in heat teams that include: Jimmy Butler, Idris Adebayo When Kyle Lowry.. So even if Heat was willing to put Butler into the deal as a way to meet Netz’s (naturally expensive) demands, doing so would dissatisfy Durant from the beginning.
As others have pointed out, Adebayo entails his own complexity beyond the fact that Durant may want to stay with him. Brooklyn must trade as the team is not allowed to place two players in the designated Rookie Max Extension. Ben Simmons Bring Adebayo.If the best offers of heat are concentrated Tyler herro, I don’t know how it gets traction. And when it comes to Durrants’ preferred destinations, this is why Sands seems to be trying to do magic here.
From Gary Payton II Portland And that Damian Lillard Spillover effect
Peyton and Portland Contract — $ 28 Million for 3 Years, By Shams Charania — There are all kinds of layers. First, the golden state side.
While Warriors luxury tax concerns Given that all the dollars spent were multiplied by 7, this loss optics would be tough for owner Joe Lacob and his group. Peyton was an important part of their elite defense, perfect for their attacks, and not only an absolute game changer in the NBA Finals after a hasty return from an elbow fracture, but also a fan favorite. But there was.
These are first-world issues for the fan base, where the team has dominated for the past decade, but they are still issues. Golden State has provided taxpayers with a two-year mid-level exception (starting at $ 6.4 million annually), according to sources familiar with the Payton-Warriors parley.
Payton’s deal with Portland, according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes Includes player options..As an aside, according to sources Stephen Curry When Draymond Green It was part of the process with Peyton, but apparently failed to convince him to stay.
Warriors lose Otto Porter Jr. to Toronto on Friday, Nemanya Bierica Play for Turkish champion Fenerbahce, And it was a tough 12 hours in the bay.As the rebound moves, re-sign your favorite Kevon Looney for Free Agent Center / Fellow Fans in one or more ways. $ 25.5 million transaction for 3 years Friday was absolutely necessary.
Next, let’s talk about the angles of Portland.
Lillard is widely expected to accept a two-year extension offer worth more than $ 100 million, Expected to come his wayAccording to sources, the Trail Blazers needed a strong off-season to convince Lillard to sign on through the 2026-27 campaign (at the age of 36). It is said that the deadline here is not until the start of the regular season and is not yet certain.
The Jerami Grant Add (via) Trade with DetroitThis offseason was a big step in the right direction in this respect, as Lillard’s desire to play with a 28-year-old forward wasn’t a secret. Of course, before winning the gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he was active as a teammate. With Portland having a defense rating of 27th, 29th and 29th respectively in the last three seasons, Grant’s defense is also very necessary.
Joe Cronin, General Manager of the Blazers Choosing to take a mysterious man Shaedon Sharpe It was a long-term play that came out of Kentucky on the seventh pick. The Anfernee Simons The price tag for the fourth-year guards, who hadn’t played much meaningful basketball in Portland, was strangely high (4 years, $ 100 million), but the deal is yet another positive (of course, Lillard). Only played 29 games for his abdominal surgery and Portland became 27-55. Jusuf Nurkić Lillard has agreed to a four-year, $ 70 million contract that remains popular in the town, and is back.
But when it comes to Peyton, this is certainly a move that makes Lillard smile. Not only does he desperately need an elite wing defender, Lillard is intimate with Peyton’s father, Gary, a Hall of Fame point guard, and fellow Oakland, California who have helped him over the years.
In addition, Payton II, his father, Lillard, are all represented by the same agent, Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management. Payton II, who was loved for two years at Oregon State University (2014-16), also has a partnership with the Northwest.
In other words, the Warriors’ defeat is the acquisition of the Trail Blazers, who are trying to survive the Lillard era.
(Playoffs) progress Kings??
I like Kings’ off-season so far — it may be, but it’s incomplete. First-year coach Mike Brown will certainly struggle to defend this group at a high level, which may mean that their caps are low enough to continue the league’s longest playoff drought. .. Especially considering the number of quality teams in the west (for example) Timberwolves!! ).
But the addition of Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter When Keegan Murray A practical solution to their shooting pain, they have a very reasonable contract ($ 19 million for monks for two years). Via free agent$ 65 million to Huerter for 4 years Via trade When Atlanta). The franchise’s centerpiece, De’Aaron Fox, has something to do with these moves. Kings needed to find a way to provide a sort of support cast that would help take the game to a new level. Domantas Sabonis Prosper (remember that the 26-year-old All-Star Forward is a free agent in the summer of 2024).
Fox’s Kentucky history with Monk makes the move even more meaningful and potentially influential. Monks (up to 13.8 points in career, 39.1 percent from the depths in 5.1 trials per game) Lakers‘Otherwise scary 2021-22 campaign. In addition, the monk’s move informally justifies Kings’ choice to allow Dante Divincento to walk with restricted free agents.
Their choice to draft Murray Jaden Ivey After years of discussion and analysis on the fourth pick, Iowa products are widely seen as a special young player who should be able to help quickly.
More can happen in the future as Kings talks to Atlanta over and over again. John Collins (In transactions centered on Harrison Barnes) A few months from now. There may also be an opportunity to surround Durant’s situation, as teams like Kings may benefit from the role of Team 3.
You don’t have to agree with this approach, but it’s a team in Win-Now mode. Also. And given the pressure on this front office, general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox worked in the final years of their respective contracts, and there have been significant advances here.
(Photo of Mikal Bridges, Kevin Durant And Chris Paul: Blood Penner / USA Today)
