A few thoughts here as Day 2 of NBA Free Agency unfolds…
Kevin Durant Sweepstakes Day II
All eyes are on Phoenix when it comes to Durant, the Nets star who is believed to be targeting the Suns as his preferred next destination. Still, while I wrote at length Thursday about how a deal centered around restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton and small forward Mikal Bridges could work for both sides, the initial feeling is that it will take more than that. Or, to be more clear, something different.
As Christian Winfield of the New York Daily News pointed out in the run-up to Rudy Gobert’s blockbuster deal in Minnesota that fell through on Friday, the Nets’ asking price for Durant — two All-Stars, we’re told — may have just gone up. There’s no way the Suns are going to trade Devin Booker, who just agreed to a four-year, $224 million extension.
Cam Johnson is worth looking at as a possible player who could move the needle for the Nets. But the truth is, it’s too early to tell if Durant will get his Valley of the Sun wish here.
While we wait, let’s take a closer look at the question: Why Does Durant seem focused on Phoenix as the best place to continue his storied career? There are probably many factors at play here – the chance to compete again, the locale near Los Angeles, his relationship with Booker and respect for Chris Paul. But in terms of personal dynamics, his close relationship with Suns coach Monty Williams might top the list.
The two were together for one season in Oklahoma City, during the 2015-16 campaign, when Williams was an associate head coach under Scott Brooks and Durant was in his final days with the Thunder before heading to Golden State in free agency. The two men had already grown close this season, but the bond grew even deeper after the tragic death of Williams’ wife and mother of their five children, Ingrid, in a car accident on February 9, 2016. A Short Story I’ll Never Forget since that time…
During All-Star weekend in Toronto this year, I planned to stop in Oklahoma City for an interview with Durant on my way back west (I’m based near Sacramento). But before news of Ingrid’s death broke, Durant’s longtime business manager, Rich Clayman, called me to let me know the interview was off. Naturally, I asked why.
He shared the terrible news of what happened and described Durant – like many others close to Williams – as devastated. All these years later, people who lived through that situation with Williams say Durant’s respect for him grew tremendously when he saw the graceful way he handled all that pain. (If you’ve never watched the amazing speech Williams gave at Ingrid’s funeral, please do.)
Shortly after Durant made his controversial choice to join the Warriors, he was back with Williams on the Team USA squad that won Olympic gold in Rio with Durant as the leading scorer. They have remained close ever since. Does this mean he is Phoenix bound? Not at all. But it might help people understand some of his motivations right now.
As for the Miami possibility, which also appears to be in the works, I’m told there’s a significant hurdle on that front. Durant, it seems, would only want to play on a Heat team that includes Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry. So even if the Heat were willing to move Butler in a trade as a way to satisfy the Nets’ (understandably expensive) demand, it would leave Durant unhappy from the start.
As others have pointed out, Adebayo comes with his own complication, even beyond the fact that Durant probably wants him to stay. Since teams aren’t allowed to have two players with designated rookie max extensions who came via trade, Brooklyn would have to trade Ben Simmons to get Adebayo. If the Heat’s best offer centers around Tyler Herro, I just don’t see how that will ever gain any traction. And in terms of Durant’s preferred destinations, that’s why it looks like the Suns could have a chance to make some magic happen here.
From Gary Payton II to Portland and Damian Lillard’s ripple effect
Payton’s deal with Portland — three years, $28 million, according to our Shams Charania — has all kinds of layers to it. First, the Golden State side.
While the Warriors’ concerns about luxury taxes are understandable given that every dollar spent is multiplied by seven, the perspective of this loss will be difficult for owner Joe Lacob and his group. Not only was Payton a vital part of their elite defense, a great fit in their offense and an absolute game-changer in the NBA Finals after coming back quickly from his elbow fracture, but he was also a fan favorite.
These are first-world problems for a fanbase that has seen their team dominate for the better part of the last decade, but a problem nonetheless. A source familiar with negotiations between Payton and the Warriors said Golden State has offered the median taxpayer exception for two years (starting at $6.4 million per year).
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Payton’s deal with Portland includes a player option. As an aside, sources say Steph Curry and Draymond Green were part of the Peyton process, but apparently were unable to convince him to stay.
Throw in the fact that the Warriors lost Otto Porter Jr. to Toronto on Friday and Nemanja Belica opted to play for Turkish champions Fenerbahce, and it’s been a tough 12 hours in the Gulf. With the rebuild progressing — in more ways than one — Friday’s re-signing of free agent/center/fellow fan Kevon Looney to a three-year contract was an absolute must.
Now for the Portland angle.
Although Lillard was expected to accept the two-year extension offer worth more than $100 million expected to come his way, sources say the Trail Blazers still need to have a strong offseason to convince Lillard to sign through 2026 d. 27 campaign (when he will be 36). The deadline here isn’t until the start of the regular season, and I’m told it’s not a sure thing yet.
The addition of Jeremy Grant (via a trade with Detroit) this offseason was a big step in the right direction on that front, as Lillard’s desire to play with the 28-year-old forward was no secret. They’ve thrived as teammates before, of course, after winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Team USA. Grant’s defense is also sorely needed, as Portland finished 27th, 29th and 29th in defensive rating over the past three seasons, respectively.
The draft was much more of a question mark, as Blazers general manager Joe Cronin’s choice to take mystery man Shaedon Sharp out of Kentucky with the seventh pick was a long shot. The Anfernee Simons deal is another upside, though the price was oddly high (four years, $100 million) for the fourth-year guard, who had a breakout year when Portland wasn’t playing much meaningful basketball (Lillard, of course, played only 29 games due to abdominal surgery and Portland went 27-55). Big man Jusuf Nurkic is also back, agreeing to a four-year, $70 million deal that keeps the Lillard favorite in town.
Still, when it comes to Peyton, it’s a move that’s sure to make Lillard smile. Not only does he desperately need elite wing guards by his side, but Lillard is close with Peyton’s father, Gary Payton, a Hall of Fame point guard and fellow Oakland, Calif. native who has helped mentor him for years.
What’s more, Peyton II, his father and Lillard were all represented by the same agent, Aaron Goodwin of Goodwin Sports Management. There’s also a Northwestern connection for Peyton II, as he was beloved during his two years at Oregon State (2014-16).
The Warriors’ loss, in other words, is the Trail Blazers’ gain as they try to keep the Lillard era alive.
(Playoff) progress for the Kings?
I like the Kings’ offseason so far – imperfect as it is. First-year coach Mike Brown will certainly struggle to get this group to defend at a high level, and that could mean their ceiling is low enough to continued the longest playoff drought in the league. Especially considering the number of quality teams in the West (like, say, the Timberwolves!). But the additions of Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray are substantial solutions to their shooting woes, and they come with very reasonable contracts (two years, $19 million for Monk via free agency; four years, $50.5 million for Huerter via trading with Atlanta). Franchise center De’Aaron Fox has everything to do with these moves, as the Kings just had to find a way to give him a supporting cast that helps take his game to a new level while also helping Domantas Sabonis thrive ( remember, the 26-year-old All-Star forward is a free agent in the summer of 2024).
Fox’s Kentucky history with Monk makes the move even more meaningful and, potentially, impactful. Monk (career-high 13.8 points; 39.1 percent from deep on 5.1 attempts per game) was a rare bright spot in the Lakers’ otherwise awful 2021-22 campaign. What’s more, Monk’s move unofficially vindicates the Kings’ choice to let Donte DiVincenzo walk in free agency.
Their choice to select Murray over Jaden Ivey with the fourth pick will be debated and analyzed for years, but the Iowa product is widely viewed as a special young player who should be able to help right away.
There could certainly be more, as the Kings have been in on-and-off talks with Atlanta about John Collins (in a deal centered around Harrison Barnes) for months now. There could also be opportunities surrounding the Durant situation, with teams like the Kings potentially able to take advantage in a third-team role.
You don’t have to agree with the approach, but this is a team in win mode now. Again. And given the pressure this front office is under, with general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox serving in recent years at their respective…
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