Bringing Up Desmond Bane Deal, NBA Champion Defends Rockets’ Kevin Durant Trade Package

Lets be honestNBA fans rarely believe their team came out on top in a superstar trade.

Even when they land the big name, doubt creeps in: But at what cost? Trades spark endless debate upon endless tiring debate, from barbershops to Reddit threads to live discussions on X Spaces.

NBA trades are such a huge part of the NBA that fans build fake trades on simulators or dive into NBA 2Ks MyGM mode just to reshuffle rosters.Despite the OKC Thunder hoarding ten first-round picks through 2030including their own in 2025and the monster hauls that landed Rudy Gobert and, more recently, Desmond Bane, fans still panic when their team doesnt receive a mountain of picks.

(Every Chicago Bulls fan just flinched.)That panic returned when the Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Rockets.

In exchange, Phoenix received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No.

10 pick in 2025, plus five second-round picks stretching through 2032.

Some fans celebrated, whereas other Suns supporters felt shortchanged for a future Hall of Famer.But, 2017 NBA champion and All The Smoke cohost Matt Barnes recently pushed back on a solo episode of his podcast.

I think it was a great move, Barnes said.

Houston didnt have to give up a ton of young assets.Trading for a superstar can gut a rosterjust ask the Suns.

They gave up Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four unprotected first-round picks for KD in 2023.

Then they dealt Landry Shamet and Chris Paul for Bradley Beal, which tightened their already bloated payroll and left no room under the new CBA for reliable role players.Barnes added, Obviously, Jalen Green is a young asset and someone theyre betting on.

But it just goes to showif you dont show up in the playoffs, youre gone.

A lot of people have since zeroed in on the five second-rounders Houston gave up.

Barnes didnt see any issue with the deal.Im hearing a lot of people say they gave up too many picks.

But to meif Desmond Bane gets four first-rounders, and Rudy Gobert gets six and an exception, I dont give a [expletive] how old Kevin Durant is.To Barnes, KDs value is still sky-high despite his age.

Kevin Durant will always demand more than those guys, he said.

And the fact Houston didnt give up a single first-round pick? Thats a win.As someone who traded four times himself, Barnes doesnt think Houstons done.

Theyve still got wiggle room.

Are they finished? Youve heard talkGiannis teaming up with KD, Jaylen Brown possibly heading to Houston.

Theyre not done.Barnes sees nearly everyone on the roster as movable, except Durant and Amen Thompson.

Theyve still got a lot of assets, he said.

Anyone outside of Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant? For the right offer, theyre in play.

Would I trade Sengun for Giannis? Absolutely.

No-brainer.

So watch Houstonbecause theyre not slowing down.With Durant in town and trade chips still in hand, the Rockets arent coasting.

If Matt Barnes is right, more changes could be on the horizon.The post Bringing Up Desmond Bane Deal, NBA Champion Defends Rockets Kevin Durant Trade Package appeared first on The SportsRush..

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