04-30-2021, 11:51 PM
I think the one things both anti-trade and pro-trade sides agree on is we need KP to be healthy and play well this postseason.
I don't think anyone is particularly arguing that we should just trade KP for cap space with no plan for what to do with it... rather, we need to replace his salary with players who fit with the heliocentric, pick-and-roll heavy offense that would be best suited for Luka and this team. If you look at KP's actual skills, rather than what we wish him to be, what makes him valuable is his ability to let you play 5-out as one of the most dangerous stretch 5s in the game. The problem is that it turns out 5-out offense is probably not the best way to maximize the Luka-centric offense.
So if you want to look at teams that would trade for KP, you want to look for teams where his skills make sense. This the reason Golden State keeps coming up as a trade partner- their best years came when they were able to run a 5-out offense, and they're known for an egalitarian offensive style, which would likely make KP much happier- he would basically be able to play the Durant role in their offense (Of course the other half of their teams was their defense, where KP's fit is questionable, but they're unlikely to find another actual Durant). The other piece of the puzzle is the team needs to be okay with KP's salary while not relying on him as their 2nd-best player. This also works with GS since the core of their team is Curry/Klay/Draymond and KP would be playing a supplementary role, and they'd just be replacing Wiggins' salary which they're already locked into.
I don't think anyone is particularly arguing that we should just trade KP for cap space with no plan for what to do with it... rather, we need to replace his salary with players who fit with the heliocentric, pick-and-roll heavy offense that would be best suited for Luka and this team. If you look at KP's actual skills, rather than what we wish him to be, what makes him valuable is his ability to let you play 5-out as one of the most dangerous stretch 5s in the game. The problem is that it turns out 5-out offense is probably not the best way to maximize the Luka-centric offense.
So if you want to look at teams that would trade for KP, you want to look for teams where his skills make sense. This the reason Golden State keeps coming up as a trade partner- their best years came when they were able to run a 5-out offense, and they're known for an egalitarian offensive style, which would likely make KP much happier- he would basically be able to play the Durant role in their offense (Of course the other half of their teams was their defense, where KP's fit is questionable, but they're unlikely to find another actual Durant). The other piece of the puzzle is the team needs to be okay with KP's salary while not relying on him as their 2nd-best player. This also works with GS since the core of their team is Curry/Klay/Draymond and KP would be playing a supplementary role, and they'd just be replacing Wiggins' salary which they're already locked into.