I've said this before, but I don't think the trade in and of itself was really a problem. I have a larger issue with re-signing FVV, Adams, and DFS being our biggest free agent signing, and doubling up on what Adams brings by signing Capela instead of some kind of stretch 5, even though CC has been a fine value IMO. KD as a guy to "supplement the young core", get off Jalen Green's salary, sure. Every other decision also being "age 30+ injury-prone vet"? I just don't like the direction it signifies. I might also suggest that a three-team trade sending KD somewhere else and getting young talent of any kind back instead might have been preferable to actually running him out there this season, but it's hard to speculate on what might have been available, so... *shrug*.
Would say that without KD, do you think Jalen Green would of step up to win that Pelicans game?. Probably not.
Agree. Jalen Green looks like superstar about 20-30% of the time, the rest of the time he disappoints unfortunately. He particularly fools people during his yearly hot March streak. Best of luck to him over in Phoenix, as long as it's not against the Rockets. He seems like a nice guy, don't wish him ill will.
we wouldn't be so close to them, our D would be a lot better and the Rox team would be a lot better. DD
It would have been easier to not do the trade and send Jalen away for expirings and a low quality pick or seconds. I would’ve just kept Green and gave the Amen/Green a chance and then traded Green if it didn’t work out. Durant has ruined this team’s chemistry and we have less net assets to build around.
Last years FRP could have been Coward or Queen. Brooks has more value than I realized. bigger than both Green or KD
I mean . . . is it a "success" to make a "win now" trade for an aging star where you give up a bunch of draft picks and a young player who is on the same timeline as the rest of your core, and then end up with a worse record and playoff seed than the year before? Oh, and the worse record is with the rest of the young core having developed for an additional year. Is that what "winning now" looks like to you, clutchfans?
You do it once or twice but don't do it repeatedly the Barkleys and Durants of this world.......even if Barkley was still a rebounding leviathan and Durant a scoring machine. And Barkley was not a lot but significantly younger at age 33. Pippen: 33 Paul: 32 Drexler: 32 WB: 30
I would have tried to do some sort of sign and trade with Jabari but I double Jabari would have played ball. There could be an arguement that Dillion himself isn't an NBA All-Defensive First Team player but without doubt as a culture setter he is. Event & Season,Team,Defensive Rank (League),Change Brooks Leaves (2022–23),Grizzlies,3rd,— Brooks Absent (2023–24),Grizzlies,18th, Dropped 15 spots ---,---,---,--- Brooks Arrives (2023–24),Rockets,10th, Improved 19 spots (from 29th) Brooks Leaves (2024–25),Rockets,14th, Dropped 4 spots ---,---,---,--- Brooks Arrives (2025–26),Suns,7th, Improved 8 spots (from 15th)
The more I think about this… Just drafting Coward (3 & D) and keeping Brooks (3 & D) we keep the defense & there is no DFS. Run the offense through Sengun (probably happier) Rehoming Green for a lesser return => bad contract & draft capital. The rookie contracts are controlled contracts (long term). Not as flashy but probably better long term However…. parting with Green was a must and if KD was the only way than it is worth it.
I think Jalen Green thing would have run its course, Stone already lowballed him from his perspective. There was no way any sane team would have given him close to the Max, and he knew it.....but deep inside he is betting on himself. He would have left of his own accord.
We can still probably pull off that last part. He and FVV need to go or we get to live through another meh season, while the other tanking teams catch up. People aren’t paying attention to the war chests that Portland, Utah, and Dallas are building up, while we twiddle our thumbs with a roster and coach that has no way of competing for a championship. Participation trophies all around for this year and next.
With a healthy FVV things are different .... That team probably had a punchers chance, this one doesn't and in hindsight, you may be right - better to send KD elsewhere and take back young talent / picks instead. Too bad the trade happened before Fred was lost ...
Dallas got a franchise player. We're still wondering if we do. Utah doesnt and Portland doesnt (small forward Sengun isnt it sorry). If Utah lands a Top 5 pick then this changes. Specifically if they get a Top 3 pick. Feel like Silver is going to make sure they do so Boozer Jr ends up there.
