When Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and his list of preferred destinations emerged, the Boston Celtics were not considered among the most likely landing spots. But they always made sense as a possible destination … if they were willing to part with Jaylen Brown. It was a big yes, but it looks like the Celtics are moving in the direction of what would be a blockbuster trade for Durant.
The Celtics have “emerged as a real threat to acquire Durant” after offering a Brown-based package to the Nets, who rejected the offer and countered by asking for more, according to Shams Charania.
From Charania:
The Celtics offered Brown, point guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected and Brooklyn has asked Boston, in any proposal, to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added. The Celtics are currently less inclined to include Smart along with several other players or draft assets, but the franchise is mulling next steps on how to approach the discussions.
As of now, the Celtics have emerged as a serious possibility as a landing spot for Durant. They have a strong interest in wearing it and see it as a piece that could get them over this last hurdle. While there is work to be done, there is agreement that the Nets’ overwhelming question would be enough.
While Durant is one of the best players in the world, one can understand Boston’s hesitation to add even more to an offer that already includes an All-Star in Brown. Including Smart in an exit package would remove two elite defenders from a defense that had just led the Celtics to the NBA Finals. That said, Boston’s acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon clearly makes Smart more expendable.
Acquiring Durant would put the Celtics on a title or lose watch. With Brown, who will turn 26 in October, and emerging MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who is only 24, the timetable for Boston to compete and hopefully win titles is essentially wide open. Durant, on the other hand, will be 34 when the season begins.
Brown added to the speculation a few hours after Charania’s report, simply tweeting “Smh.”
Again, Durant remains at the top of his game, and we see superstars like LeBron James and Chris Paul stretch their primes far beyond the realistic thresholds of the past. Still, trading a 25-year-old All-Star who has All-NBA potential for the next half-decade, plus a Defensive Player of the Year, plus future draft equity is the definition of push all the tiles in the middle.
This will always give you pause. We’ll see if the Celtics are willing to meet Brooklyn’s terms. But the train has at least started moving in that direction. Including Brown in an offer was a huge hurdle to clear for the Celtics. If it were to happen, there will presumably be plenty of Boston fans, despite Durant’s greatness, uncertain, if not unhappy, about the deal.
Again, the championship window for a Brown-Tatum will simply be open longer, and the defense would suffer greatly without Brown and Smart, let alone if Derrick White is out as well. But in the end, we’re talking about Kevin Durant. It will take a huge package to get him, and Boston has the pieces to make it happen. Stay tuned.