TRADE: KD to HOU | Green+Brooks+#10+5 2nds to PHX

[omahen]

So, what do all of the other KD pursuers do now?  Miami, Toronto, Minnesota, San Antonio...maybe NY all felt they needed someone.  Do they stand pat?  Pursue someone else?

I think all of these teams were looking for a great player that would perhaps somehow make them a contender (perhaps mostly applicable for Miami and Toronto). 

I think Miami desperately needs a star leader. Nothing else will imho lift them out of the (below) average teritory. Spending their future picks and solid youngsters on moves around the edges (I consider the likes of Monk and DeRozan in this territory) doesn't imho make much sense. They didn't want to spend that for Durant, so it seems they know the reality. They have some solid young pieces (Highsmith, Ware, Jovic, Jaquez). Kuminga could make sense, although he is an odd fit next to Ware and Adebayo. I would consider trading Bam in their place. He would likely fetch a royal return as many teams could think that he is a guy that lifts them a level or two higher. Good young talent, picks. 

Toronto I have just no idea what they want. Seems like owners don't want to tank when they probably should ever since Kawhi walked for nothing. They have a bunch of overpaid solid starters that don't make them good enough to even smell the play-in. Barnes is far from a franchise cornerstone imho. A legit star could perhaps make that team look different. Anything else is just same meh they are in now.

San Antonio was wisely opportunistic. They were interested in Durant but seems like they didn't offer much. They are in no hurry. I think they need to take the same approach as Houston. Play out this season with same core (play around the edges a bit) with the goal to reach the playoffs. See how the #2 pick looks like. Make moves after next season.

Minnesota has a bunch of tough decisions. They have been to WCF finals two seasons in a row, but it was obvious both times that they are not really that close to get further. I don't know what they will do or what I would do in their place. They have an expensive roster that is about to get more expensive (Randle, Reid, NAW might look for much more money). Conley is moving to "unplayable old" territory and Dillingham didn't really impress so far. Gobert is great for regular season but easy to plan against in playoffs. They have #17 in this draft, but more or less nothing else afterwards, not even SRP. I don't know. I would be very conservative and try to keep the team together and hope for internal development (Ant is still only 23). Make a move only if something great appears.