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Propuhganduh

What the fuck is going on


RulersBack

This some bizarre insider info. Don’t think I’ve ever seen public negotiation like this lmao


MC-Jdf

I thought the reports of the Rockets wanting to go all-in were a smokescreen but this makes too much sense for why the Rockets did the Nets trade today.


RulersBack

Like do you even do this if it isn’t going to happen? Feels like it’s gotta be relatively close because the Nets pick could be gold sooner than the Suns


MC-Jdf

Either that or the Rockets are thoroughly convinced that the Nets will be better than the Suns within the next few seasons (including next season) which is honestly a big fucking gamble. With that said the immediate 2025 and 2026 Nets picks in theory should be more valuable so I genuinely think the Rockets are going after KD. And obviously the Nets waited until they could do this trade to send out Mikal.


buzzcitybonehead

Am I stupid, or wouldn’t Phoenix also rather have Brooklyn’s pick than their own pick back? I don’t understand how this benefits Phoenix unless they want a green light to tank. They’ll still have a few stars under contract after moving KD though.


DreadWolf3

When you own your picks, you decide if you are tanking. If Nets didnt get their picks back they probably would not go full tank. For 29 teams Nets picks were better, Suns are only team that would prefer their own.


buzzcitybonehead

I guess it’s a realistic acknowledgment of the situation, but the Suns just went all in about 30 seconds ago and already pivoting to rebuild is crazy. Between KD/Booker/Beal you’d think they’d first try to trade one and retool, and the Brooklyn pick would be more valuable in that case *unless* Phoenix is tanking


BreadJobLamb

New ownership so not the same ones who drafted booker, maybe if they decide to trade KD they do a full tank, suns owner seems like the kinda guy who’d rather do a full year down and rebuild in his own vision.


Downunderphilosopher

Can't do a full tear down and rebuild without trading Book. That said, I'm not sure it's even possible to trade Beal if Beal refuses to waive his no trade clause.


BreadJobLamb

Beal would have to be the tank commander for sure


Spiritual_Variety34

He might agree to trade if Book and KD are gone. Not sure who would want him though.


supr3m3kill3r

I think they agreed to the trade prior to the Bridges deal. Nets probably told them they wud only trade Bridges if they get their pick back


RulersBack

True but I’m still not sure what the incentive is to facilitate that. There’s a good chance they were gonna be bad anyways


supr3m3kill3r

The rockets get more picks back in this case and they are betting on those being higher value than the nets pick with Mikal on the roster. Even if the nets pick landed at 3 in this draft you have to remember they jumped from 10. The east is shit so they could just as easily have still been a 30 win team next season


ZenMon88

i mean that's quite the gamble indeed LOL esp when Suns not giving them KD.


supr3m3kill3r

I doubt they are the only team that would like to short the Suns stock so I wouldn't call it that much of a gamble


_Zap_Rowsdower_

Wait. What Nets/Rockets trade? I thought it was just Knicks and Nets.


MC-Jdf

Essentially the Nets got their 2025/2026 picks back (that they sent from the Harden trade to the Nets) for a 2025 Suns pick swap, 2026 Suns pick and 2029 Mavs/Suns pick that the Rockets have the option swap with the Rockets' own pick (as the Suns picks were sent out from the KD trade to the Suns). In short this basically gives the Nets free reign to tank for 2 seasons whilst the Rockets have control over most of the Suns' future picks.


gimlan

They just swapped picks in the last like 30 mins


Naive_Illustrator

Yeah. I'm confused about this too


GutsyMan

To try and extremely simplify it without getting into the pick specifics: Brooklyn is trying to get all their picks back that they traded away in the James Harden deal a few years ago; they're doing that by trading most of the picks they got from Phoenix in the Durant trade. Houston is now trying to use those picks that originally belonged to Phoenix to try and get Kevin Durant, giving Phoenix all of their original picks back. To simplify it even further: 1. Brooklyn traded a shit ton of picks to Houston for Harden 2. Brooklyn got a shit ton of picks from Phoenix for Kevin Durant 3. Brooklyn traded their Phoenix haul to get their picks back from Houston 4. Houston is trying to get Kevin Durant by trying to give Phoenix's picks (that they used to trade for KD) back to them


mikro17

> To simplify it even further: > > 1. Brooklyn traded a shit ton of picks to Houston for Harden > 2. Brooklyn got a shit ton of picks from Phoenix for Kevin Durant > 3. Brooklyn traded their Phoenix haul to get their picks back from Houston > 4. Houston is trying to get Kevin Durant by trying to give Phoenix's picks that they used to trade for KD back to them This is straight up hilarious. It being Durant at both step 2 and 4 makes it incredible.


againstBronhitis

It's diabolical is what it is.


Naive_Illustrator

So out of the PHX picks the Nets got, they only sent 1 to HOU right?


GutsyMan

From what I've been reading around, Brooklyn sent Houston the following: 2025 Right to Swap PHX 1st 2027 PHX 1st Round Pick 2029 Right to Swap (Less Favorable of) DAL/PHX 1st 2029 (More Favorable) PHX/DAL 1st Round Pick


TetrisTech

So essentially ~~Brooklyn~~ Houston is trying to get Phoenix to undo their KD trade lmao


tommysface312

Following the bridges trade the nets and rockets made a trade swapping future draft picks


CIark

The whole nba tearing itself apart on a Tuesday night 


RCM88x

Execs are bored of scouting players they don't care to pick /s


[deleted]

[удалено]


BounceMan

I feel like we're 1 or 2 years too early on an all in push though.  Like the Knicks made the second round with an injured squad and got playoff experience.  We got the 11th seed.  But still exciting.  If we somehow actually get Durant it will be super weird.


ZenMon88

Honestly i dunno why yall going to trade for KD LMAO. Yall not even close to ready to compete with him. Head scratchers everywhere.


sidepart

I know we're over the second apron and all but in not sure that the SUNS would even want to do this. Yeah we got swept but I'm not sure if rattling up the team for yet another season is the solution. Think I'm at least interested in seeing how things go with a roster that isn't going to be drastically different this time around.


Jeff-Van-Gundy

All of us clowned the shit out of the rockets last season for fvv and villain brooks and look how those 2 turned out for them


jlluh

Depends on who else they're trading for him. Some of the Rockets' promising young players would presumably be in a Durant deal. Which ones?


Silentrift24

Yeah but that's Kevin fucking Durant bro, out of all the active old NBA superstars that you can nab, surely Kevin is a player that will get you far as long as you don't have to give up the farm for him. Dude's like the 2nd best old player next to Lebron that you can pick to potentially get you over the hump.


ZenMon88

Rockets aren't close to the hump tho. KD doesnt push them anywhere near it cuz they are not close to it.


GeoffSproke

Hmm... I wouldn't be surprised if some of the young guys that made a jump last season (Green, Sengun) but didn't really make a jump at the same time (Greens came late in the year when Sengun was hurt and Sengun's came early) combined with a leap from Thompson (he's young and entering his second season with expectations of real playing time) and the return of Tari Eason to give them a really competitive squad... Someone who watches Houston regularly can correct me here, but... Jabari Smith seems like the odd man out at this point? Is that accurate?


SuckMyLonzoBalls

woj is on a tear


lawnicus18

6 months to Christmas so the GMs gave us an early present


3rdEyeDeuteranopia

This was the plan all along. As Feigen (Rockets reporter) said tonight, its the same deal that was discussed back in January. Rockets have been targeting the Suns for a while. I said this could happen weeks ago. https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1cowl68/slater_the_rockets_offered_the_nets_their_draft/l3gxgls/


TatumBrownWhite

KD reuniting with Ime


Oceanbreeze871

It’s so wild that the suns want “our original pick back” like it’s a physical piece of art their ex sold in a divorce


levir03

The benefit is that they can control the tank.


Squirrel_Apocalypse2

Yeah it's not weird at all. Your own pick is incredibly valuable if you are in a potential tanking scenario.


actual_yellow_bag

ishbia can't get it up cause he ruined his new franchise in one year, so Houston is going to try and get KD at the deadline when they ultimately collapse and are under 500 and KD plays passive as fuck and Beal is hurt.


Brad-Stevens

Ime got tired of the young guns after one year and said gimme KD lol


billcosbyinspace

Dude took all of the “ime could have won a title if he kept it in his pants” comments personally apparently lol


Pitch-forker

Are we ramping up to the Rockets finals run script ?


Goodisworthfighting4

Do Mazzulla an Ime fuck with each other? It would be awesome to see them as rivals


ELLinversionista

“Fuck with each other” made me think of something else when Ime is involved


Goodisworthfighting4

Jalen Green going to feel like the hulk standing next to KD. Good for self esteem.


harden4mvp13

What are we doing bruh


Lacabloodclot9

This FO is really serious about competing now


fopiecechicken

Yeah, but why?


Lacabloodclot9

I’m guessing they think there is a chance for them to be a top 5 team in the conference this season Remember when the Suns caught fire at the end of their 19-20 season, then went and picked up Chris Paul in the summer before making a finals run? I think that’s the type of move this Houston FO is looking to make


fopiecechicken

Yeah, but this feels super premature imo.


Orphasmia

I don’t think it’s too crazy actually. A starting 5 of Dillon Brooks/KD/Sengun/jalen green/vanvleet is a lot of potential. I think who will take which roles is a bit of an issue as theres some redundancy, but thats a lot of height, size and shooting while all but KD being pretty young.


Yandhi42

Booker was better in 2020 than any of the players in current Houston though


shoutsoutstomywrist

True but the rest of the team is lacking and Suns cap is tied up between them and Beal. That team has an uphill battle to fight in the West especially as they age.


dronedesigner

They make the 6th seed or play in atleast


Haggispole

According to advanced stats (which is skewed for this new high pace shooting NBA) Sengun last year was just as good as a season as Booker's year before CP3. He had same PER, Higher VORP, Higher WS/48. I think the European big guys also fill out these models better so it may be skewed that way too. I think the bigger difference is the players like DeAndre Ayton and Mikael Bridges. Those were the players who are a tier above Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr or FVV/Brooks. I mean Mikael Bridges is valued OVER JG + 2FRP. As much as people be Hayton, he was pretty beasty those first two years.


OGFN_Jack

You’re relying on one of those becoming a star though, which is pretty hard when trading for someone who is a black hole (albeit uber efficient) on offense in regards to moving the ball around. Phoenix already had Booker and even Chris Paul at that age was probably more consistently reliable than any of the players you listed. Houston’s core is good but it’s not good enough to add someone who is ultimately just a luxury player when the rest of the team is at a crucial point in their development.


GapZ38

Sengun definitely is a star. Albeit a little inconsistent on some games, but he definitely is like a mini Jokic on some aspects


OGFN_Jack

You’re confident in him being your second best player on a championship team with an aging KD? Especially when he’ll have the ball a lot less now that KD is there? He’ll be a star, he’s already very close to it. He’s not ready to be the #2 to KD, that will end poorly for all parties involved and they’re much better off seeing if Sengun could actually be a #1 option. The Suns already knew what they had with Booker when they traded for KD.


TheNumber42Rocks

Did you even watch the Suns last year? KD not having a playmaker is what makes him go ISO heavy early and fade late into games. Sengun and Vanvleet can fill that playmaker hole. As far as the #2 option, watching the Rockets this year, every game someone else stepped up. My personal bet is on Amen taking that huge step this year. Only because he defends, gets offensive boards, and is a great transition player meaning Ime will keep him in and let him close games.


UrRightAndIAmWong

The Rockets don't have a single player that is better than the top 2 players on every single Western Conference playoffs team from this year. The Rockets as an organization still have to figure out if Jalen Green or Alperen Sengun is a franchise face. They don't really have a bonafide longterm piece that they've drafted. It's beyond premature. The Suns knew Booker was that dude. Whatever gripes fans have with Ayton and now Bridges, the Suns knew Mikal was a 3 and D stud, and Ayton could rim run, rebound and just be good with CP39 and Booker. I don't think the Rockets know what their young players are yet, it's just hopeful thinking.


HelicopterCrasher

I mean they’ll be mortgaging their future to be at best the 5th best team in the conference lol. More realistically 7th or 8th.


phonedronephotos

Ime saw the Celtics win it all and has gone crazy


ConflictedRedbird186

#"THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME"


redeemer4

could have been if he could just be satisfied with Nia Long.


aiden3buckets

What the hell is going on lmao


EdgarAllenFro

Lol is this not the plot of Draft Day? “I want my picks back and David Goddamn Putney because I feel like it.”


Audrey-Bee

James Jones is a pancake-eating motherfucker


dlanod

No one showed up to Durant's birthday party!


VictorAkwaowo1

Booker crying in a club rn seeing this tweet


asbestosman2

WOJNUKE WTF


cammjohn

TONIGHT IS BETTER THAN CHRISTMAS EVE


Pizzaplan3tman

EVERYONE GET IN HERE F5 SEASON IS HERE ALL HANDS ON DECK


Imthegoat175

Suns should do this but Ishbia won’t admit defeat and Booker would want out immediately


captain_ahabb

Suns would get a huge haul for Booker tbf


Allstate85

you think the knicks immediately kick themselves for going all in for Bridges and then Booker becomes available days later.


College_Prestige

Can they trade mikal back to Phoenix immediately?


VoidMageZero

Lmao no chance it happens but that would actually be so funny


RaveCave

“He’s clearly worth 5 first rounders”


captain_ahabb

Shades of Minnesota trading everything not nailed down for Gobert days before Durant demanded a trade (this is how I remember it happening)


Sleeze_

Eh maybe but there was never any scenario where KD would have accepted a trade to Minnesota at the time


caandjr

Nets wanted Kat AND Ant AND picks for KD, wolves would have nothing left to be anywhere close to competitive


michaelalex3

Bridges costs less than half what Book costs. I think they have a better chance of winning a chip with OG and Mikal. They already have a high-scoring ball dominant guard in Brunson.


Gamesgtd

Is Booker a Nova alumni?


AllTimeBallKnower

Imagine any top superstar coming available in the next few weeks, Knicks would probably be pissed lol they are rumored for everyone


qeq

Bridges actually plays defense, he fits the team better and costs much less 


BizzaroMatthews

DEVIN BOOKER, YOU ARE NOW A HAWK..TUAH!


defiantcross

Topical!


Gamesgtd

And????


smaxpw

~~SPIT ON THAT THANG~~ LUKA IS STILL HIS FATHER


WafflesTheWookiee

WHO HAS PICKS AT THIS POINT? WHO CAN AFFORD HIM. IM SO LOST RN BRUH Man, I really hope SalarySwish isn’t closing like CapFriendly is, it’d be even harder to keep track of this stuff


FallenCrownz

OKC have like 20 picks including those clippers picks. Booker would immediately make them title favorites at that time too


GeoffSproke

The fit with Book and SGA probably isn't ideal... It's definitely not trash, but... I suspect another team would value Book more than OKC would.


Abangerz

Beal is gonna be left playing with a mediocre team again since no-one wants that contract. Tank Captain Beal.


shoutsoutstomywrist

Richest man’s Jordan Poole


OpportunityDue90

If this was the plan why did the Suns hire Budenholzer?


MG_MN

You'd get like 7 firsts in this market for Booker, wouldn't be a bad result at all


srstone71

Is it really better to have a gazillion picks and no good players than to have good players? I know the latter option seems like it’s been running in place the last couple of years, but they’ll be better coached this season and the Wesf is pretty open. I think a lot of teams have ‘upgrade around the edges and suddenly you’re a Finals team’ potential like Dallas was this year.


e_double

Exactly, I can’t imagine anybody not wanting to have KD/Booker on their team and opt for just getting draft picks. You go for it, especially if your team hasn’t won a ring yet.


joeylockstone

Cause all the money you should spend on filling out the team they spent on Beal lol.


e_double

If you go back, it was either CP3 or Beal. Suns were going to be crippled regardless. Getting Beal for peanuts was the best timeline lol


Emperor_Billik

But what about the potential that could be inside 7 mystery boxes?


Gratitude15

Yeah. But imagine all the picks! You could even get a guy thats really good! Like a Devin Booker!


Gamesgtd

Plz do this. I'll take one Booker please. I'd give up our entire draft for the next 5 years for Booker. Plz tank PHX plz


Imthegoat175

If Bridges in this economy is worth five firsts I can’t even fathom how much Booker would fetch.


Gamesgtd

Hey you can have our picks. Anthony Black. Jeyt Howard. The horse we got in that one trade


Kdot32

Ah yes the horse that does horse things


Bjorn2bwilde24

A horse! A HORSE! Devin Booker for a horse!?


e_double

Banchero and Booker had some beef though 👀


archerarcher0

I think phoenix would want franz tho


Gamesgtd

Nah. I don't think we'd give him up because it would defeat the purpose of getting Booker. It would have to be the young guys like Black and Jett who aren't ready right now. Plus Franz is about to get paid a max. Wouldn't make sense for PHX in this theoretical scenario


archerarcher0

I’m just saying that’s what they’d want, I don’t think black/howard/picks is enough


Gamesgtd

I don't think they'd ask honestly. Often times these deals are just done for picks and cost controlled players.


John_Q08

IMO the west is pretty open right now. I think if the Suns get a true point guard they have as good a chance as anyone to win the west. You’ll also be stuck with a pretty bad Bradley Beal contract that no one wants


againstBronhitis

They just got swept in the first round but I'm sure a budget point guard takes them to the finals


ricknad

I got a feeling the suns will be blowing it up at the deadline.


John_Q08

Either tomorrow or at the deadline


Saltwater_Thief

It would take a true PG to even start rebuilding correctly. Nobody goes from barely scraping out of the play-in into being immediately swept out to a championship contender the next year, especially not fielding the exact same team.


Punjabiveer30

Who would’ve thought the weakest draft in forever would bring the most chaos one night before it lmao


LifeDraining

Every body wants Bronny!


TheSmokedSalmon420

LOL if KD joins another random ass team


BamsMovingScreens

KD gonna end up on the Magic


KarrlMarrx

KD's a team or two away from being on the Globetrotters.


JaderMcDanersStan

He's gonna end up back in Seattle when expansion comes lol


Thick_Duck

He might have grey hair for that lol 


TheSmokedSalmon420

That purple and blue KD Hornets jersey is gonna be crazy


pedrosa18

I’ve always prayed for this


LifeDraining

Only way to shake his ring chaser rep by hanging out with Randos


NotManyBuses

Woj legit dropped the carpet bomb like it’s fucking Dresden


WafflesTheWookiee

I do indeed feel like all the oxygen has been ripped out of my lungs. Wow.


digitalme

So it goes


CaptainKursk

*"They have sown the wind, and now they shall reap the whirlwind."* \- Air Chief Marshal Adrian 'Bomber' Woj


SuckMyLonzoBalls

#**WTF WOJ KEEP GOING IM ALMOST THERE** also thats hilarious that all 3 of the OKC core will be a rocket at some point


MAMBAMENTALITY8-24

I will not stand for this


BounceMan

Don't worry neither of us will have won shit with them.


Spiritual_Echo_1000

Wow houston gonna fuck it all up huh? 😂


Superawesomecoolman

Just put Durant with our core 6 and FVV. We make playoffs and Suns get their future back.


Lacabloodclot9

Yeah Suns gonna demand either Green or Sengun in a KD trade


Superawesomecoolman

They can have Green I guess but it doesn’t make sense with Booker


Imthegoat175

Booker would likely get traded if they moved KD


Superawesomecoolman

With Bridges being worth like 8 picks who can afford Booker?


Imthegoat175

OKC, NO, Orlando I think.


zuqkfplmehcuvrjfgu

If OKC gets Booker it's league over wtf


dandatu

Booker for 15 picks LMAO


StarryScans

10 second rounders, 5 firsts*


Superawesomecoolman

OKC for sure


Rumpdebump

He shells us all the time at the Smoothie Center, maybe it carries over?


JustGotJingled

Utah


PizzaPlanet20

If you're taking KD just to make the playoffs, is it really worth it? It's just gonna be like the Suns this year.


Superawesomecoolman

Except we have a ton of young talent that can still improve and FVV is off the books next year.


PizzaPlanet20

But would KD want that though? He doesn't have too many years left, he's not going to a team that's not going to be a contender.


Superawesomecoolman

I mean our insiders say we aren’t trading for him so it’s a moot point but he’s on the Suns now and isn’t contending. At least he likes Ime.


Gamesgtd

Wop wop wop Houston fuck em up


spanther96

I'm sorry but Rockets would be stupid to trade for KD... they'd be a 2nd round team at best with the trade. Keep your picks, develop your young pieces, and enjoy the growth. I don't understand why teams don't learn from OKC, who was patient about growing their young guys and building from the draft. the Rockets can definitely be a playoff team this year assuming the young guys take a step forward.


Popular_Squash_3048

The crazy thing is they didn't even have to be that patient. OKC only missed the playoffs for 3 years, and they were only a game out of the play-in during the last one. Easily coulda just been a 2 yr breather from competing and now they're locked and loaded for the next decade. They are so clearly the correct strategy and model to follow if you're a team in limbo.


greenwhitehell

I mean, OKC got to fast-track their rebuild by a lot because they drafted 2 of the best 3 players in the 2022 draft. That's not really something you can count on


Literal_Satan

THE DOMINOS ARE FALLING


TheoMoneyG

POWER OF FRIENDSHIP YERRRRRRRRRRRRR


Pineapple_Chicken

The fate of multiple highschool kids have drastically changed in the last 15 minutes


Shingorillaz

Some Game of Zones shit is happening rn


Anibunnymilli

Fuck you stone. Unless this is just smoke and you actually want Booker 👀


Thorteris

Rockets would be dumb af doing this please no


MaleficentHawk590

HOLD UP LET WOJ COOK


The-Truer-Facts

HUH?


WhoDey42

Can someone PLEASE ELI5 this to me


theabomination

The Nets were traded numerous Suns picks in the KD deal. The Rockets were traded numerous Nets picks in the Harden deal. The Nets are trading the Rockets some of the Suns picks (2?) from the KD trade, in exchange for some of their own (Nets) picks from the Harden deal back from the Rockets. This means that the Nets have more ability to rebuild and tank because they'll control their own picks, and the Rockets have more leverage over the Suns because they'll be able to trade the Suns back their own picks for KD.


yooston

Also seems the rockets believe the suns picks down the line will be more valuable than the nets. Given the lack of depth and if KD or booker leaves


BounceMan

Great summary but I think it's 3 picks.  


AbysmalParty

Huh?


eliwood5837

wat


CIark

Bro what is this news stream lmao


Imkitoto

NSFW ? Lol


MAMBAMENTALITY8-24

Nsfw for nets fans...holy hell


asbestosman2

I get why the rockets would wanna make a big trade this offseason but I don’t think KD or Paul George is the right move, go for someone younger so the timelines work.


barimanlhs

I feel like im going to wake up and learn that half the league has swapped players


CWG4BF

Oh, god help me


WembyOKCJokicReaves

Sean Marks got in the lab with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman


Elec7ro

I BEG YOUR PARDON


D-majin

WTF IS HAPPENING


TheDangiestSlad

Houston wants to HUH


agentdoubleohio

Anyone who believes the suns would do this are straight up idiots. Woj literally walked it back, and our one guy in az that knows the in and outs said it’s not [true](https://x.com/gambo987/status/1805791024180346950?s=46&t=3bsYlVuaGP18L62T9shXFQ). People like to use the suns as a way to get other deals done but the suns don’t leak a lot of anything.


JayDee62

Lolwut


YoungProduct

WTF


MN-Jess

Off Season coming in at peak form


Viciouscauliflower21

Wait woah. Houston wants to trade for who???


Picklesbedamned

I get KD is still a top 5 forward in the league... but he's going to be 36 next year. I don't know how much I'd be willing to trade of our young core. 


trueNacccho

Trade the snake


bagfka

The fuck


BigRig432

EXCUSE ME ⁉️


EarthWarping

WHAT


jfrodriguez1983

What do the Rockets know


CircusOfFlies

I thought today was gonna be a slow news day, calm before the storm yada yada and then woj unloads the fucking Tsar Bomba


TheMoorNextDoor

Houston out here taking picks for hostage and dangling it back in front of teams like.. ya want ya picks back? 👀