Knicks · What you think of this NY-Phoenix-Houston off season trade idea? KAT, Durant, Amen key pieces moving (page 1)

Some assumptions obviously have to happen: NY willing to move KAT, Houston wants Durant, PHO wants to keep competitive while shaking things up.

Give or take, these salaries work in the off season.

NY gets: Amen, FVV, Eason, pick?
Houston: Durant, Deuce.
PHO: KAT

Phoenix pairs Nick Richards with KAT up front. They move a dominant ball handler for a pure spacer and rebounder, this optimistically opens up ball handling for Beal to jump start his play. KAT also is a different kind of spacer (and post player) than Durant but I'm not sure on that but he is a much better rebounder. Even if Phoenix eventually moves on from Beal, they get another year of at least trying with a new coach without having to trade or stretch his contract. More on ball touches for Beal and Booker, go from 37yo Durant to 30yo KAT. Booker and KAT are close friends. In 2 years you are building around Booker and KAT.

Houston gets their marquee guy in Durant, opens up reps for Reed who is doing nothing. Opens up things for Cam Whitmore and Jabari Smith too.

NY gets a ball handler in Amen who is a young dynamic player who is the next generation after Brunson, OG, Hart, Mikal. Amen is the key for NY and a Thibs dude. I'd have him bring the ball up the court as much as possible and as fast as possible as the PG and allow more spacing duties for Brunson while keeping Jalen's closing duties. Brunson and FVV take the half court PG duties (and Kolek simmers like Deuce for another year with that 3pt shot). FVV off the bench with Josh, Teri, Huk, and Shamet. FVV on a 1 year deal and this would help out the long term salary cap. NY would get back to its defensive, grit roots while keeping some of those spacer players in Mikal, OG, Jalen. Amen is your PoA defender and it moves Mikal and OG to off ball terror duties with Mitch sitting behind them. Offensive spacing would be an issue but Thibs would get his defensive horndog going on again.

We're a win now team, which does feel weird, no doubt. We've got Brunson in his prime and are on his timeline. Maybe Amen and pick(s) wind up better down the road, but in the short term, it makes us worse. I don't like the shift in roster construction or how it shrinks our window. Big moves (like the KAT trade) typically take a year before teams fully adjust.

One step further, trading KAT without getting a center in return puts way too much reliance on Mitch's health. It's already hard enough to make trades being over the apron - maybe someone with a better handle on the cap/apron can correct me - but wouldn't any follow up trades necessary for a rebalance basically require blowing up the current core?

MaTT4281 wrote:I pass.

We're a win now team, which does feel weird, no doubt. We've got Brunson in his prime and are on his timeline. Maybe Amen and pick(s) wind up better down the road, but in the short term, it makes us worse. I don't like the shift in roster construction or how it shrinks our window. Big moves (like the KAT trade) typically take a year before teams fully adjust.

One step further, trading KAT without getting a center in return puts way too much reliance on Mitch's health. It's already hard enough to make trades being over the apron - maybe someone with a better handle on the cap/apron can correct me - but wouldn't any follow up trades necessary for a rebalance basically require blowing up the current core?

Fair.

I don't watch Houston much and am kinda projecting with Amen but he seems like a deamon and just needs a bit more to figure out the jumpshot. He will be a defensive player of the year, soon, and you would start 3 of them give or take in Mikal, OG, Amen with Mitch behind them. That is stout defense. I can't tell how crucial Amen is to Houston's record this year but he does seem like an integral piece. Have to super project his talents and then fit.

It would make NY more of a defensive small ball team. Teams like GS don't even have a center and never did. Besides, Taj back in the saddle would be awesome and you know Herb is out there somewhere

nycericanguy wrote:no way would HOU trade Amen for KD

Yeah, I have no idea how hot and heavy Rockets are for KD. It just takes one crazy owner though.

Hopefully Houston fails out quick in the playoffs. They got the Warriors in the first round with Playoff Jimmy doing his thing.

If we did the proposed trade I would really want Cam Whitmore instead of FVV if possible (more upside/shooting). Maybe sub in Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams and others to fill salary...and yeah include Eason (good player) and a pick as well.

I would also seriously trade KAT for IHart if that somehow allowed us money to reobtain DDV so I can continue living in the past

All wing team.

Brunson, Mikal, Amen, OG, Mitch.
FVV, Kolek, Shamet, Josh, McCullar, Pacdaddy, Eason, Huk

So much fun to watch that team going high speed all the time. Push the ball, defend like crazy. 30 or less per player. Now you know I’m high cause Thibs is deciding between turning a new leaf or rolling over in a grave. 30mpg or less, that’s the team motto.

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And Houston - you keep Amen, Sengun, Eason and all your picks and add KD?

VDesai wrote:If you are Phoenix are you really not taking a package of FVV, Jalen Green and maybe Jabari Smith? You get 2 young players who fit your SL, get younger and are still a competitive team built around Booker?

And Houston - you keep Amen, Sengun, Eason and all your picks and add KD?

Yeah good deal

VDesai wrote:If you are Phoenix are you really not taking a package of FVV, Jalen Green and maybe Jabari Smith? You get 2 young players who fit your SL, get younger and are still a competitive team built around Booker?

And Houston - you keep Amen, Sengun, Eason and all your picks and add KD?

Makes sense.
We all know Eason is the key.