As for the Magic, the team finally secures a veteran point guard in Paul, Payton and a 2028 second rounder from the Suns (via the Celtics). Orlando moves on from Howard, Houstan and a 2025 first rounder from Denver as part of the Aaron Gordon trade in 2021.
Warriors News: Could Golden State Go All-In With Blockbuster Trade for Kevin Durant?
“But Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are 36, 34 and 34, respectively. The window wasn’t going to be open long anyway. And with the built-in familiarity between those three and Durant, there’s a shot for real contention as early as this coming season.”
Warriors Rumors: Can Golden State Sell Phoenix on a KD Trade?
The Magic may not argue with this deal but are essentially giving up two first rounders (Howard is one year removed from being the No. 11 pick) for a veteran point guard who Golden State may release this offseason. Phoenix would be hitting the reset button on their big three that are offering little reason for optimism.
“This deal gets Phoenix part of the way out of that quagmire, by saving it tens of millions of dollars, boosting its depth, getting them some young talent and restocking an almost totally bare cabinet of future draft picks,” Bailey noted.
“… It may be impossible to sell all of that to [Suns owner Mat Ishbia] (or Budenholzer), but the writing is on the wall. Phoenix is old. The West is loaded with younger, deeper teams (the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks to name a few). And it doesn’t have many avenues for change outside of a Durant or Booker trade.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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