Before I explain this deal, I should mention that I tried to make this a simple swap between the Nets and the Hawks but then remembered the designated rookie extension rule that chained the Nets down this off-season. The rule prohibits the likes of Ben Simmons and Trae Young from both getting traded to the same team. Simmons was traded to Brooklyn last year and if Trae was traded there now, Simmons would have to be traded away as well.
Hawks’ side of the story
Straight off the bat it needs to be said that this deal would only happen if Kyrie reassures the Hawks that he’ll take the extension with them. Now why would Kyrie do that? This deal means the Hawks would also hold Kyrie’s Bird rights which means they’re the only ones who can offer Kyrie $200+M/5yrs. If he walks, where would he go? Well there’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with that but I don’t think he has many options and certainly none of them would pay as much. So if Kyrie says no then forget all of it.
The Hawks have had their issues with Trae and it seems they’re fed up, but more importantly they already have insurance in the form of Dejounte Murray. So why would they want Kyrie? As far as guard scoring, he’s as good as it gets and in Atlanta he’ll have a set role to play as their primary scorer. Granted their team and coaching staff will have to hold down the dynamics of the locker room because Kyrie is no leader but Murray, Hunter and maybe even Collins could take that role on. Kyrie might be getting paid like a superstar but he’ll be the new guy there with at least one other all star already in place. He’ll have to fall in line but he’ll get to play his brand of basketball. In Cleveland he felt his path was being made for him, in Boston there was entitlement all around, in Brooklyn there were false assumptions on Kyrie’s part. But in the ATL there will be expectations but also a team and a system tailor-fitted to him. And culturally, Kyrie fancies himself a Black-history buff(he wishes) well lets actually see him in a ‘black’ city for once.
Nets’ side
Don’t forget, the Nets didn’t want Kyrie, they dared him to walk, they tried to trade him multiple times this season alone. That doesn’t change simply because they strung up a few Ws. Right now KD is hurt and already they’re starting to slip, just as they did last year. There are doubts swirling around Simmons again and things aren’t as peachy as it seemed last Christmas.
Set aside what you know as fans, what you believe the roster and the coaching staff thinks of Kyrie. Joe Tsai and Sean Marks dislike him still at best. And the one thing to remember here is that it’s unrealistic to think the Nets would be willing still to pay him that $200+M extension. As for pleasing KD, they already sent that message in the offseason. If KD wants out, they’ll be more than willing to part with him as well… but likely in the offseason. This deal gives them insurance as far as building and improving the team around Durant but also establishing something to build with if Durant asks out.
On the basketball side, Trae is almost a cross between Harden and Curry, 2 of KD’s former costars. While Jakob Poeltl gives them much needed ‘girth’ (as Stephen A. Likes to say) and JRich is just added depth. Also take note that JRich, Curry and Poeltl are all on expiring deals so they’ll have some cap space to work with when it comes to re-signing 1 or 2 of those guys.
Spurs’ side
Simmons for 2 expiring contracts is still a pretty good deal especially for a team rebuilding and a team with the cap space. For Simmons it’d be a humbling destination, he’d be reunited with Brett Brown(Asst. Coach) and he’ll deal with a tough culture but also an environment where the expectations are low.