If KD really has torn his achilles

[Kuberski33]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

It certainly makes sense.  If I'm GS I'd offer him an extension that includes a little cap relief but I doubt he'd take it.  The best move is getting healed there and revisiting next year.  GSW would be in a position to best judge his potential for full recovery meaning they'd still have an advantage vs the rest of the league. So they still be in a good position to extend him.

[Moranis]

I don't think this affects Kyrie's decision at all, as I don't think Kyrie was ever really seriously considering the Knicks and I don't think Durant was ever considering the Nets at all.  Before the KD injury, from my outsider's view of the tea leaves, I'd put Irving at 75% to Nets, 22% to stay, 2% to Lakers, 1% to Knicks, and I don't think KD's injury changes that at all.  Someone like Kemba Walker though has to be more strongly be considering to stay in Charlotte rather than join KD in NY (if that is where KD ends up). 

[greg683x]

The team that benefits most from this entire situation is the Lakers.

Durant was never going to the Lakers so this changes nothing for them.  However this crushes the Lakers competition for signing the other max level players that potentially wanted to or was planning on meeting Durant in NY or NJ

[Androslav]

The team that benefits most from this entire situation is the Lakers.

Durant was never going to the Lakers so this changes nothing for them.  However this crushes the Lakers competition for signing the other max level players that potentially wanted to or was planning on meeting Durant in NY or NJ

On the other hand, with one fish less in the pond, the competition for signing other FAs Will grow between the max cap teams.

[greenhead85]

If KD leaves, wouldn't it make GSW the best destination for AD?

[Roy H.]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

The inverse could be true, as well.  There were reports a few days ago that internally players and the organization were frustrated with Durant for not playing.  Now this happens.  It could be that Durant blames the organization for pressuring him.

Emotionally, this could play out multiple different ways.

[Fierce1]

If KD leaves, wouldn't it make GSW the best destination for AD?

GSW has no cap space for AD.

[Roy H.]

If KD leaves, wouldn't it make GSW the best destination for AD?

Yes, but Golden State doesn't have the trade assets to land him.

[greenhead85]

If KD leaves, wouldn't it make GSW the best destination for AD?

Yes, but Golden State doesn't have the trade assets to land him.

Is a S&T possible?
Like KD goes to us (obviously we're taking him in for that big risk),  then move either Hayward or Horford together with Tatum and picks to NO. AD then goes to GSW.

[GreenEnvy]

I don't think this affects Kyrie's decision at all, as I don't think Kyrie was ever really seriously considering the Knicks and I don't think Durant was ever considering the Nets at all.  Before the KD injury, from my outsider's view of the tea leaves, I'd put Irving at 75% to Nets, 22% to stay, 2% to Lakers, 1% to Knicks, and I don't think KD's injury changes that at all.  Someone like Kemba Walker though has to be more strongly be considering to stay in Charlotte rather than join KD in NY (if that is where KD ends up).

I had Nets at 62.4%, Celtics at 31.1%, Knicks at 5.9% and Lakers at 0.6%.

Guess I’ll have to go back now and reevaluate things.

[Vermont Green]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

The inverse could be true, as well.  There were reports a few days ago that internally players and the organization were frustrated with Durant for not playing.  Now this happens.  It could be that Durant blames the organization for pressuring him.

Emotionally, this could play out multiple different ways.

I don't know how this will play.  The GM from GSW was overly emotional when he was interviewed about this making me wonder what is going on.  I think it is unlikely but possible that Durant was pressured to play either directly or indirectly.  This played out as a worst case scenario in that he suffered a career threatening level of injury when maybe he should not even have been playing.   

If they went against the doctor's orders or kind of doctor shopped to get the answer they wanted, it will be really bad for GSW.  If he was legitimately cleared to play by the doctors and he just got injured, then the doctor may be questioned but in reality, maybe there is no one at fault here.

It is legitimate to ask questions around this though.

As for the Celtics, I am not sure how much chance we had of getting Durant anyway.  Davis was always the more realistic target but even that may not be very likely if Davis will only sign with LAL or NYK.

[nickagneta]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

The inverse could be true, as well.  There were reports a few days ago that internally players and the organization were frustrated with Durant for not playing.  Now this happens.  It could be that Durant blames the organization for pressuring him.

Emotionally, this could play out multiple different ways.

Didn't know that. Yeah, this could be the complete inverse then. What you are describing sounds like what happened in San Antonio with Kawhi....except Kawhi decided not to listen and looked out for his health first.

If Durant ends up blaming GSW for pressuring him into returning, then sure, he might just get a team of doctor's outside any team and work with them over the next year. Only, any team that signs him might have to agree with that.

Does Durant call Porzingas and ask him how good the Knicks medical team is? What does Zinger say to him if asked? Durant might need to research teams' medical staffs to make sure he doesn't sign with a team with a staff he isn't comfortable with.

We will see. I just think his health and the people he wants to take care of him over the next year or more will be extremely important in determining where he ends up.

[Erik]

I don't think this affects Kyrie's decision at all, as I don't think Kyrie was ever really seriously considering the Knicks and I don't think Durant was ever considering the Nets at all.  Before the KD injury, from my outsider's view of the tea leaves, I'd put Irving at 75% to Nets, 22% to stay, 2% to Lakers, 1% to Knicks, and I don't think KD's injury changes that at all.  Someone like Kemba Walker though has to be more strongly be considering to stay in Charlotte rather than join KD in NY (if that is where KD ends up).

Not sure how you could say this. This leaves 1 free agent for Kyrie to pair up with (Butler). If he doesn't want to leave Philly or if he wants to go to LA, Kyrie really doesn't have many options left other than signing with a mediocre ball club (Nets) by himself just to run away from Boston. I can't say for certain what the guy is thinking, but at some point you'd have to assume that he's going to step back and look at the stacked Celtics roster, the extra year of contract after multiple knee surgeries, their ability to get AD fairly easily, and say "What am I doing?" Or maybe he just doesn't care, doesn't like the city, or doesn't like Stevens and just walks. Who knows. On paper, though, it looks like he either convinces Butler to join him in Brooklyn to lose in the 2nd round, or stay and win a title next year. With KD out next season, Celtics with him and AD have got to be the favorites...

[kraidstar]

I don't think this affects Kyrie's decision at all, as I don't think Kyrie was ever really seriously considering the Knicks and I don't think Durant was ever considering the Nets at all.  Before the KD injury, from my outsider's view of the tea leaves, I'd put Irving at 75% to Nets, 22% to stay, 2% to Lakers, 1% to Knicks, and I don't think KD's injury changes that at all.  Someone like Kemba Walker though has to be more strongly be considering to stay in Charlotte rather than join KD in NY (if that is where KD ends up).

Not sure how you could say this. This leaves 1 free agent for Kyrie to pair up with (Butler). If he doesn't want to leave Philly or if he wants to go to LA, Kyrie really doesn't have many options left other than signing with a mediocre ball club (Nets) by himself just to run away from Boston. I can't say for certain what the guy is thinking, but at some point you'd have to assume that he's going to step back and look at the stacked Celtics roster, the extra year of contract after multiple knee surgeries, their ability to get AD fairly easily, and say "What am I doing?" Or maybe he just doesn't care, doesn't like the city, or doesn't like Stevens and just walks. Who knows. On paper, though, it looks like he either convinces Butler to join him in Brooklyn to lose in the 2nd round, or stay and win a title next year. With KD out next season, Celtics with him and AD have got to be the favorites...

TP

They'd be lucky to get out of the first round with that roster.

The Raps, Bucks, Pacers, and Celtics will likely all be very good next year. The Sixers could feasibly lose Butler and Harris, but they should be good as well. Which of those teams does Brooklyn beat in the first round?

Kyrie going to Brooklyn would be suicidal. IMO he's not going to attract a top FA on his own, and their current roster is nowhere near talented enough to compete for a title.

Hard for me to believe he wants mediocrity for the rest of his career.

[Moranis]

I don't think this affects Kyrie's decision at all, as I don't think Kyrie was ever really seriously considering the Knicks and I don't think Durant was ever considering the Nets at all.  Before the KD injury, from my outsider's view of the tea leaves, I'd put Irving at 75% to Nets, 22% to stay, 2% to Lakers, 1% to Knicks, and I don't think KD's injury changes that at all.  Someone like Kemba Walker though has to be more strongly be considering to stay in Charlotte rather than join KD in NY (if that is where KD ends up).

Not sure how you could say this. This leaves 1 free agent for Kyrie to pair up with (Butler). If he doesn't want to leave Philly or if he wants to go to LA, Kyrie really doesn't have many options left other than signing with a mediocre ball club (Nets) by himself just to run away from Boston. I can't say for certain what the guy is thinking, but at some point you'd have to assume that he's going to step back and look at the stacked Celtics roster, the extra year of contract after multiple knee surgeries, their ability to get AD fairly easily, and say "What am I doing?" Or maybe he just doesn't care, doesn't like the city, or doesn't like Stevens and just walks. Who knows. On paper, though, it looks like he either convinces Butler to join him in Brooklyn to lose in the 2nd round, or stay and win a title next year. With KD out next season, Celtics with him and AD have got to be the favorites...

The Nets and Celtics are basically the same team from a record standpoint if you take Irving off of them, except the Nets are a lot younger.  Russell, LeVert, and Allen are a very strong young trio, plus they have RHJ, Dinwiddie, Prince, Kurucs, and Harris.  They need the top end talent to truly compete, but they have a very strong base.  If you are Irving, you have to think that joining a 42 win team puts them at over 50 wins next year and just a move away from really being a contender.

That of course brings us to a move away and in that there is an outside shot of using Russell and some of those young players to acquire someone like Davis (assuming DLo agrees to a sign and trade there, which isn't a given).  If I'm the Pelicans, I'd prefer the Nets offer to that of the Lakers (as an example), and frankly unless Boston includes Tatum, I'd take the Nets offer over anything else Boston can offer.  I mean Russell, Allen, LeVert, and some future picks looks pretty good compared to the Lakers and Knicks deals and a non-Tatum Celtics deal.