The market for Kevin Durant was supposed to mainly be the Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat. Following the Suns’ matching the Pacers’ max offer for Deandre Ayton, it became more apparent that they would not be able to join in on the race to land Durant. However, a newcomer with an interest in KD has now emerged, with the Boston Celtics reportedly making an offer for him.
The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals but couldn’t cross the final hurdle, losing to the Golden State Warriors. They addressed their need for additional playmaking and scoring by acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Pacers. And now it seems they wanted to try an even more drastic change, trying to get Kevin Durant by giving up one of their foundational young pieces in Jaylen Brown.
Shams Charania explained the Celtics’ offer, but then also reported that the Nets immediately rejected it and came up with a counter of their own.
Sources: The Boston Celtics have offered a Jaylen Brown package to the Nets for Kevin Durant, which Brooklyn turned down and countered.
Full details on a potential Celtics-Nets mega-deal to be had, latest on Donovan Mitchell and more at the Inside Pass: https://t.co/Gkyfkhg5A1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2022
“The Boston Celtics recently offered a package around one-time All-Star Jaylen Brown for Durant and have emerged as a real threat to acquire Durant, league sources tell The Athletic.
“The Celtics offered Brown, 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. Currently, the Celtics are less inclined to include Smart along with multiple other player or pick assets, but the franchise is mulling over next steps on how to approach discussions.
“As of right now, the Celtics have emerged as a serious possibility as a landing spot for Durant. They have tremendous interest in bringing him in and view him as a piece that could take them over that final hurdle. Although there is work to be done, there is a deal to be had that would suffice the Nets’ overwhelming ask.”
For the longest time, it has seemed like the market for KD is quite stuck, but it seems that the Celtics could find a deal that could see them land the former MVP. Durant and Tatum would be an incredibly dangerous duo, but if they have to give up 3 key players, including core members like Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, then they might not have the firepower left to immediately challenge for the title again.
