June 22Jun 22 8 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: White is one of the better and relatively cheaper players. I donโt see. Theyโll exhaust options to deal Holiday and Brown first.ย They can get a big return for White, because he's on a reasonable deal and only 31. The others are not, and may not return much or cost something to send out depending on the partner.ย ย
June 22Jun 22 The Athletic ย Quote This feels like a rushed deal by an inexperienced front office executive dealing with a very savvy front office that had plenty of leverage. But maybe once we break down this trade and apply some grades, weโll find out this is not so bad for both sides (plot twist: we wonโt). Letโs bust out the red pen and slap some trade grades down on this deal: Rockets get Durant Weโve been curious how patient the Rockets would be with their current situation because they donโt need to rush anything. After a massive leap 41 wins and missing the Play-In Tournament in 2023-24 to the No. 2 seed and a first-round exit with a young squad this past season, the Rockets had options heading into the offseason. Many wondered at the trade deadline if theyโd make a big splash to cash in on for a deep playoff run through the West. Instead, they opted to see what they had in their current core. And what they had was a talented, young, defensive-minded team in need of some offensive punch. As this week begins, Durant, a potential target for them at the past deadline, is now a Rocket. Yes, the two-time NBA Finals MVP will turn 37 before next season and has missed a lot of time since his Achillesโ tendon injury in 2019. Regardless, heโs still one of the most unguardable players in the NBA and a pretty complete player at his age. You can drop him into any team and any system and heโll find a way to fit. In his 15th season as an All-Star, he still put up 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 52.7/43.0/83.9 shooting splits for a 64.2 percent true-shooting mark. Those are ridiculous numbers. He missed 20 games, so you have to be concerned about that, but the Suns, as chaotic and dysfunctional as they were, had a 33-29 record with him on the floor and 3-17 record without him. Adding Durant to a core with Alperen ลengรผn, Jabari Smith Jr, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Fred VanVleet (assuming they figure out a new contract with him and his team-option situation) is a great jumping-off point for building on last season. The Rockets won 52 games and they shouldnโt need to physically tax Durant throughout the regular season. Heโll be a major part of what they do, but heโs there to boost the team, not save it. The Rockets know they can win 50 games with gritty defense and by beating up opponents for 82 games. So, what does it look like when they replace the inconsistent talent of Green with Durant? Once we get to the playoffs, what does it look like for the Rockets? Their big issue against Golden State was an inability to consistently score against a tough defense. Durant has been doing that extremely well for his entire career. The fit is brilliant, and the Rockets donโt really lose any of their depth or identity with it. Assuming they come to terms with the potential two-year, $122 million extension, Durant has a couple of years to help boost the Rockets before some of their other young players need to get paid, meaning this timeline might end up working out perfectly. As for what they gave up, to not give up even players such as Cam Whitmore or Eason, along with any of Phoenixโs picks the Rockets own past this year? Mastery. Grade: A+ Suns get Green, Brooks, No. 10 pick, five second-round selections Plain and simple: The new, inexperienced Suns front office, with Brian Gregory as the new general manager, got worked in this deal. These should have been the Sunsโ goals in a Kevin Durant trade with the Rockets: Get (some of) your picks back (this yearโs, 2027, 2029) Acquire Eason Gain some cap relief Bring in veterans that will help keep you competitive Make sure you have a starting big man Even with the 10th pick, originally their own, coming to them, they barely gotย anyย of this, and Iโm not sure how much Brooks or Green even help with the makeup of this team. Green doesnโt really fit into a team with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on it. The 23-year-old is more of a long-term play than Beal, who has a couple years left on his deal, but we know that Beal has been blocking trades left and right with his no-trade clause. Iโm not quite sure how much development in a proper role Green even gets. For the Suns, they have three scoring guards of differing levels who like the ball in their hands. Itโs a terrible fit for at least two years, unless you can flip one of them (and one of themย canโtย be Booker). Or create an environment that Beal wants out of sooner rather than later. Another thing worth remembering? The Suns canโt tank because Houston still has many of their picks! Maybe they can flip Brooks if they donโt feel he can come in and change their sad defense by himself. He can contribute to the teamโs attitude, but heโs not going to make something terrible into a passable product. Heโs not quite that dynamic defensively. Maybe they feel they can draft a very productive, young big man at No. 10. If Khaman Maluach is still available there, thatโs a good pick to grab and try to develop, but he probably doesnโt help you win right away. Remember, they still canโt tank! Houston still has those picks from a few sentences ago. Perhaps Suns owner Mat Ishbiaโs obsession with his alma mater Michigan State causes him and Gregory to reach for 6-foot-1 guard Jase Richardson at No. 10, just to keep it all in the family. Regardless, the five second-round picks are not going to be enough to make this a great deal. The only reason this deal isnโt a complete failure is the Sunsย mightย nail the 10th pick and get a franchise player or a really good top-three guy for their team. They might flip one of their big-name guards for better depth and assets down the road. The Suns decided they needed to get a deal done before the draft. Fine. This could not have possibly been the best deal for them. Grade: D TLDR: ย Ha ha!
June 22Jun 22 Huh, I may start paying attention to the Rockets for the first time since being disgusted by the Van Gundy/Francis/Mobley era.
June 22Jun 22 The Suns get a couple firsts if they trade Durant at the deadline right? Iโd say yes.ย
June 22Jun 22 22 minutes ago, runthebone said: Wonder what Greg Oden is up to. Prolly bout tree fiddy.
June 22Jun 22 10 minutes ago, WBT said: Huh, I may start paying attention to the Rockets for the first time since being disgusted by the Van Gundy/Francis/Mobley era. Van Gundy got majorly screwed in 2005 in that 1st round series versus the Mavericks. How dare you?!
June 22Jun 22 10 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: The Suns get a couple firsts if they trade Durant at the deadline right? Iโd say yes.ย i'd assume so as well.
June 22Jun 22 The phx media guys aren't happy. One thing the mentioned not really considered. This will put the Suns FURTHER into the 2nd apron once you draft #10.
June 22Jun 22 5 minutes ago, Fastbreak said: The phx media guys aren't happy. One thing the mentioned not really considered. This will put the Suns FURTHER into the 2nd apron once you draft #10. We need a welfare check on the Locked on Suns guy. It sounded like he commit seppuku if it wasnโt Jabari+Eason+10 for KD. He even threw out Amen as a possibility. Heโs one sick fucker.ย
June 22Jun 22 4 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: We need a welfare check on the Locked on Suns guy. It sounded like he commit seppuku if it wasnโt Jabari+Eason+10 for KD. He even threw out Amen as a possibility. Heโs one sick fucker.ย The one guy was definitely suffering...
June 22Jun 22 14 minutes ago, Fastbreak said: The phx media guys aren't happy. One thing the mentioned not really considered. This will put the Suns FURTHER into the 2nd apron once you draft #10. ย it's a bad deal for phxย not sure why they did it before the draftย Edited June 22Jun 22 by tx 3 putt
June 22Jun 22 2 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: Doesnโt happen without San Antonio getting cute as shit. Thank you Spurs. Enjoy your overrated food and smelly ass river.ย Donโt forget their big ole women.
June 22Jun 22 3 minutes ago, ztejas said: Phoenix was 33-29 when Durant played last season. 3-17 when he didn't. ย lulzย The Houston Rockets have acquired the Phoenix Suns' unprotected 2027 first-round pick and the better of the Suns', Nets', and Mavericks' 2029 first-round picks.ย Additionally, they have the right to swap first-round picks with the Nets in 2027.
June 22Jun 22 2 hours ago, runthebone said: Wonder what Greg Oden is up to. Still looks like a 47 year old dude.ย
June 22Jun 22 Jalen Green:ย 307 games played with the Rockets. He played in 186 consecutive games for the Houston Rockets.ย Green is currently 4th on the Houston Rockets' all-time list for 3-pointers made. Green notched 10,038 mins in addition to 240 STLs and 91 rejections in his pro basketball career. He scored 6,173 pts to go along with 1,030 assists and 1,310 total rebounds during his career.ย Thanks for everything.
June 22Jun 22 Quote Cap nerds will also rejoice in the detail that Phoenix missing the playoffs was the only thing that made this trade possible. Because of that, Brooksโ $1 million bonus for making the playoffs goes from โlikelyโ to โunlikelyโ and takes his cap number down to $21.1 million for next season, allowing the combination of his and Greenโs salaries to squeeze in to match Durantโs. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6443983/2025/06/22/kevin-durant-trade-rockets-suns-analysis-reaction/
June 22Jun 22 5 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: Doesnโt happen without San Antonio getting cute as shit. Thank you Spurs. Enjoy your overrated food and smelly ass river.ย Puffy tacos kick assโฆ
June 22Jun 22 Jabari is the more interesting one. He wonโt get a great deal if he signs early like Jalen and Alpy but I am sure we will try to lock him down. ย If I am his agent I tell him to bet on himself and make the Rockets pay him much more by extending next summer. ย
June 22Jun 22 1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said: Jalen Green:ย 307 games played with the Rockets. He played in 186 consecutive games for the Houston Rockets.ย Green is currently 4th on the Houston Rockets' all-time list for 3-pointers made. Green notched 10,038 mins in addition to 240 STLs and 91 rejections in his pro basketball career. He scored 6,173 pts to go along with 1,030 assists and 1,310 total rebounds during his career.ย Thanks for everything. ย 57 minutes ago, Scraps said: Jalen in his feels on his intagram stories Honestly, I hope he figures it out and makes a few All Star teams. ย Heโs still super young and dropped 38 in the playoffs. ย This is a no brainer deal for the Rockets and even if KD canโt bring us to the finals and Jalen is a future all-NBA player, you do this 10 out of 10 times. ย ย ย If I were the Suns I donโt trade with the Rockets without getting that โ27 pick back on principal even if I have to take the shitty Miami or SA deals. ย And yet, here we are. ย Awesome.ย
June 22Jun 22 14 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said: ย Honestly, I hope he figures it out and makes a few All Star teams. ย Heโs still super young and dropped 38 in the playoffs. ย This is a no brainer deal for the Rockets and even if KD canโt bring us to the finals and Jalen is a future all-NBA player, you do this 10 out of 10 times. ย ย ย If I were the Suns I donโt trade with the Rockets without getting that โ27 pick back on principal even if I have to take the shitty Miami or SA deals. ย And yet, here we are. ย Awesome.ย Thatโs where I am man; making this deal and not surrendering that unprotected 2027 pick makes this highway robbery. The fact we also have a pick swap with BRK that same year is just gravyโฆ.
June 22Jun 22 26 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said: Jabari is the more interesting one. He wonโt get a great deal if he signs early like Jalen and Alpy but I am sure we will try to lock him down. ย If I am his agent I tell him to bet on himself and make the Rockets pay him much more by extending next summer. ย Sure, and he could also have another dissapointing year showing no signs of development and tank his value completely.
June 23Jun 23 4 hours ago, BigOrange1 said: i'd assume so as well. IF heโs healthy or hasnโt made any demands or single team scenarios. He cuffed the suns with his โI wonโt resign with x teamโ messages. ย
June 23Jun 23 The 10 pick was worthless to the Rockets--players wouldn't even work out for them...they attach that to get rid of their biggest negative asset, Green's contract (their main mistake). ย Almost whatever you get back is good, and they got back what they are missing. ย If KD gets too old or hurt, they really are in the same position.
June 23Jun 23 Y'all remember when Stone was a dumbass terrible GM? Pepperidge Farm remembers.... Hoes.
June 23Jun 23 2 hours ago, Ignatius said: Puffy tacos kick assโฆ Something you can't find in Houston, because there is no Tex-Mex to be found anywhere in Houston. Hugo Ortega says I have your puffy taco right here next to KD.
June 23Jun 23 6 minutes ago, PGFrog said: Something you can't find in Houston, because there is no Tex-Mex to be found anywhere in Houston. Hugo Ortega says I have your puffy taco right here next to KD. Any jerkoff who claims the only place to get โrealโ Tex-Mex is in one and only one city in Texas isโฆwell, a jerkoff.
June 23Jun 23 1 hour ago, Rockethorn1978 said: Whatโs some other possible moves we might make?ย Reed + Landale is 18m to work with. Turn that into Cam Johnson at 2 years 22m, and you're getting into NBA2K levels of team awesomeness.ย ย Another option is to chase Giannis 54m with Alpi 33m, Reed 10m and Landale 8m +picks.ย Dunno if the Bucks would value Alpi enough to make that, but that would be a hell of a superteam.ย
June 23Jun 23 49 minutes ago, PGFrog said: Something you can't find in Houston, because there is no Tex-Mex to be found anywhere in Houston. Hugo Ortega says I have your puffy taco right here next to KD. The stupidity in the comment is like if the football, cloak room, and Clark Caitlin thread all got together and had the biggest dumbest ugliest baby ever. I dont give a shit if you think another restaurant or even city has better Tex-Mex, good for you, but saying Houston has no Tex-Mex at all is insisting upon yourself.
June 23Jun 23 The East is going to be dogshit next year. Giannis should have a pretty clear path to the Finals.ย
June 23Jun 23 26 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: The East is going to be dogshit next year. Giannis should have a pretty clear path to the Finals.ย No shit. ย Orlando is looking pretty good if Paolo can take another leap and Suggs comes back. ย
June 23Jun 23 8 hours ago, Serak The Preparer said: The stupidity in the comment is like if the football, cloak room, and Clark Caitlin thread all got together and had the biggest dumbest ugliest baby ever. I dont give a shit if you think another restaurant or even city has better Tex-Mex, good for you, but saying Houston has no Tex-Mex at all is insisting upon yourself. You don't read sarcasm very well do you
June 23Jun 23 12 hours ago, runthebone said: The 10 pick was worthless to the Rockets--players wouldn't even work out for them...they attach that to get rid of their biggest negative asset, Green's contract (their main mistake). ย Almost whatever you get back is good, and they got back what they are missing. ย If KD gets too old or hurt, they really are in the same position. Exactly.ย There's an argument that this team could be better just by removing Green and Brooks and giving others more PT, let alone adding KD.ย ย
June 23Jun 23 Reading twitter today, I would be shocked if the deal that is ultimately consumated on 7/6 is the one that was announced yesterday. I expect it to grow from here, as we have plenty of expiring contracts to add to get a 3rd of 4th team involved.
June 23Jun 23 2 hours ago, HtownHorn said: ย ย This. KDโs defensive prowess often gets overlooked. Heโs the best defender on the Suns by a wide margin. Adds more length and rim protection.ย
June 23Jun 23 Durant loves the coach and one of his college teammates/friends is part of the organization in a management capacity.
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