If Durant is leaving GS regardless, why should GS expect a big return in trade? (i.e. lotto picks or top young players)
A "opt in" and trade resulting in Hayward is a lot better than just letting him walk, Right? Maybe they don't do it to save money but otherwise...
Because:
1. Boston can't sign Durant otherwise
2. Many across the league view Hayward's contract as an albatross
3. The Clippers got a huge haul from the Rockets for CP3 in a similar scenario
1. It depends on Durant's intention. Here I've speculated Boston is 1 and New York is 2. So there is leverage on GS side but it is not GS vs Boston as Durant intends to leave regardless (speculation not fact).
2. I don't know if this is true or not but it's undeniable that he was picking up value towards the end of the season. He's on course to be better next year.
3. I wouldn't call it huge, and I think this package largely depends on how you view Hayward. I think GS will see him as a plus, take his game against GS as an example of who he can be again.
Let's assume that Golden State does indeed settle for a reduced return for Durant. Would Golden State be better off accepting Hayward and a pick, or letting Durant go to NY for nothing?
Taking on $60+ million for an unknown health risk might be too risky for them, particularly since Golden State would be deep in tax territory.
It could be Horford instead of Hayward potentially, could it not? Horford next to a more aggressive Draymond could be a really good pairing.
Yeah, that would be the better option for them, particularly on a one year deal.
Horford works too of course, my thoughts were that Hayward would be a better piece for them. Understandably I see a lot of negativity about his contract but I think some of that is because we've already shelled out $60m for his services. A new team won't have that as baggage. He's not Chandler Parsons post injury, he's still looking like he'll reach his previous level.
Uh the Clippers didn't get a huge haul for CP3. They got every role player who wasn't strapped down and a low first round pick.
Lou Williams was a nice bench player who just was worth a low first round pick at that point and Harrell was a out of rotation young project.
The Clippers got 3 main cogs on a legitimate playoff team: Lou Williams, who is coming off consecutive 6th man of the year awards; Montrezl Harrell, another finalist for the 6th man of the year award and a revelation in the pick-and-roll; and defensive specialist Patrick Beverly. These three took the Warriors to 6 games in the first round of the playoffs.
Not only that, the Clips got a protected 1st round pick and salary relief.
For a guy who was all but gone, that's a great haul.
It was a good haul, but that was in a situation where the Rockets had to go all in. I don't think we are in the same boat. If you assume that Kyrie leaves, as I've stated in my hypothesis, we are not a dog's dinner, we still have Tatum and Brown and a bright future, it's just the trajectory that changes.
Ultimately it's about making it work for both sides. For this to even begin to make sense Golden State would need to think Hayward is better than getting nothing. I think they would believe that, but can understand if others don't. Hayward to me is more valuable than the entire package the Rockets gave for Chris Paul, and I've proposed additional pieces including a good pick.