Trade & FA 2024-25:

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I thought KD would be a target at the trade deadline at some point.  Although after thinking about it and what it will cost, I am thinking that it won't happen.  I believe both Gafford and PJ would HAVE to be included in any trade with all our picks to get PHX attention.    Knowing it will take a lot more, makes me think it is a pipedream.

If you take the Luka mess away for a moment, you can see the team they are looking to build.  With the age and play style, it needs to be a deep team.    big guys inside and length on the wings.  I really think they need to prioritze a deep roster and not cheap minimum type guys.   

The issue, even if you think there is a path to contention, the roster is not there yet.  I am having trouble to find that last guy who can be a third best player on a championship team.    Ideally, we would have debates if the third best player is player X, Lively or PJ.

You're using too much logic.  I agree that's the team they are trying to build but I think Nico is trying to do that around Kyrie/AD/KD.  This is all about getting the ultimate team Nike here at this point (at least it feels that way to me).

I think everything you're saying makes total makes sense though for the record.  Extend PJ and Kyrie and resign Exum then try to go see what some combo of Gafford/Martin and picks (just the ones you need, not all of them) can get you to improve backcourt depth while trying to get off Hardy would be a much safer route.