How about this one?
Suns receive Trae Young, 10th pick, Smith Jr.,
Rockets receive Durant
Hawks receive Sheppard, Green, Allen
Rockets keep a core of Durant-FVV-Sengun-Brooks-Thompson with Adams and Eason off the bench. They are in the 2nd apron this year unless they move off of Landale's contract.
Suns receive a true star offensive player to pair with and make life easier for Booker. Their team was at their best when Booker was not the primary ball-handler. They move to that again. Their core is Booker-Young-Oneal-Martin-Smith Jr. with Beal-Richards-Dunn. They need a center, but that team could be pretty exciting offensively.
Hawks reset, getting an exciting young offensive scorer and a good guard prospect. Their core is Green-Daniels-Risachar-Johnson-Okongwu with Sheppard-Mann off the bench. That's a lot of rangy, athletic players to put on the court together.
Why would Houston trade all of that for Durant?
I had not realized Houston had traded so much until you pointed it out. I was stuck on Atlanta and wondering why they would trade Trae Young for so little.
Atlanta trades: Trae Young
Atlanta receives: Reed Sheppard, Jalen Green, Grayson Allen
Now I could see others viewing this trade package differently than me but I am low on both Reed Sheppard and Jalen Green so I view it as a poor return for Trae Young. If I trade Trae, I want an established star in return. Neither of these guys are that. Or if it is a rebuilding trade, I want a blue chip prospect or two in return. I am not convinced that Reed Sheppard is that. He is too much of a question mark at this point.
I am disappointed in Jalen Green. He is too inefficient. He lacks proficiency in his jump-shooting. He is an okay ball-handler and passer for a SG but nothing more. For how much he has the ball in his hands and for how much he shoots it, in reality he creates little for others. He is a fine defender but nothing special. Average rebounder. There isn't much there. Great athlete. But not much basketball skill. I think he is a fairly average NBA player with a great highlight reel due to his athleticism.
Reed Sheppard struggled as a rookie. I was impressed with his defense. His body & athleticism on defense measured well. He could battle bigger players effectively and defend quickness effectively. Offensively, he was a train wreck. Some of that may be just adapting to the NBA and getting used to how much bigger and more athletic defenders are. How much less time he has to get his shot off. He didn't drive well either. He may come good then again he may not. He is not a guy I am giving up a primo talent for whether than is Trae Young or Jaylen Brown. He simply has not shown enough. He is not enough of a sure thing. Too much risk. I am not betting big on at this point. I would bet small on him. But not big.
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Houston trades: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Reed Sheppard, 10th pick
Houston receives: Kevin Durant
That is a lot for Durant. I can see Durant netting 3 1st round picks. That trade package would amount to a lot more than that.
Houston could probably get 3 1sts for Jalen Green by himself. 2-3 firsts for Jabari Smith Jr (2 mid firsts, 3 late firsts). 2 firsts for Reed Sheppard. Plus the 10th pick. That is the equivalent of 8-9 1sts for Durant.
If Jalen Green is in the deal for Durant, I would expect Phoenix to get only 1 first. Possibly none.
If Jabari Smith Jr is in the deal, I would expect 1 first or no first depending on who the cap filler is. Jabari Smith Jr is a quality two way starting PF who can man the PF spot for the next 10 years for whatever team gets him. That has a lot of value. More than I think he is given credit for on social media talk.
Reed Sheppard and a first for Durant sounds right. It would be an interesting move for Phoenix. They have no PG. Reed Sheppard could step in and start. He has help in 2 ball-handling SGs in B Beal and D Booker. So they can take him along slowly. They are not getting any top prospect for Durant. Durant is too old. He is not worth a top prospect. So a questionable one like Reed Sheppard who may or may not have upside sounds in the right ball park.
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I loved the idea of Phoenix getting Jabari Smith Jr in the deal for Durant. They have a huge hole at big forward. Outside of Durant, they have nothing but small forwards. No size at forward at all. Jabari would solve that PF position for the next 10 years.
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If Atlanta were willing to do this, this would be a phenomenal deal for Phoenix.
G: Trae
G: B Beal
F: D Booker
F: Jabari Smith Jr
C: (free agent)
That team won't contend for a title anytime soon but they would be worth watching. If they traded D Booker for a star who better balances out their roster, they could become a title contender. Phoenix continue to refuse to do that though. So more just a fun regular season team. 3 prolific offensive threats.
