Obviously Durant would be amazing, but the key is Kyrie.
- if Kyrie comes Boston is pretty much out of the running for Anthony Davis (AD is far less likely to resign if Kyrie isn't there, and that means Boston's offer is going to be less rich given the risk it's only a rental). I like the Knicks odds of outbidding the Lakers much more than I do their odds of outbidding the Celtics with Kyrie
- it damages the most promising team in the East, with all due respect to the good looking teams in Philly, Milwaukee and Toronto
- Durant is obviously more likely to come if Kyrie comes
- it frees us up to trade DSJ for another piece. DSJ has loads of potential, but he isn't ready for a super team. He's all tools and no hoops IQ right now; he'd actually be a bad fit on a team with Durant. Mudiay is better, but not much, but maybe Mudiay settles for the room exception after all our cap is spent. Anyhow, trade DSJ for a similarly rated defensive minded wing or a big that can soak up minutes at the 5, depending on the situation.
Durant is the better player. But Kyrie is the key piece.
Absolutely, biz.
When I heard the Lakers wanted to trade for AD I was dubious about what they have right now to offer. Some of their young players are not showing enough to be worth it to NO. We also have some intriguing prospects, even as bad as we are, IsoZo, Mitch, DJS, Frank (still, I guess) but of course our pick this year + extra future picks.
One issue is if we get the #1 pick, I believe I posted this, we would need to renounce Trier. We could then use the room exception on him, who I gather we'd rather keep than Mudiay. Yet, if we trade Frank that could solve that problem instead.
Kyrie has to sign with us for AD to have a chance of coming.
Pearlman, who's known for his draft scouting, also noted that the gap between Zion and the rest has gotten even wider. He also feels that the 2nd tier of talent (which he no longer included Moran, btw, after his recent showings), picks 2 & 3, is only as good as the 3rd tier of talent last year. Of course, things change and some players grow or regress, but right now it seems whoever wins the lotto this year is practically a PowerBall winner in terms of how big it seems.
One thing about Moran is if we are keeping DJS, would wonder if we'd draft a PG, yet we also know as raised by him is that you shouldn't draft based on need, unless it's not quite clear who's the better prospect.