Since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, the entire league is waiting to see what the future holds for KD. But even after almost four weeks, we are no closer to finding out which team he might get traded to.
Of course, Durant has revealed his preferred destinations, but whether the Nets accept a trade from those teams or not is an entirely different discussion. On top of that, a player of Durant’s caliber has never been traded before in the history of the league, so there is simply too much confusion around it.
While the cloud of confusion is still there, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has dropped another one of his popular Woj bombs. He recently revealed that the Boston Celtics are now engaged in trade talks with the Nets about acquiring Kevin Durant.
But it will not be as easy as it may sound because, as expected, the Celtics are reluctant to include Jayson Tatum in any trade package. Despite that, the Celtics still have several tradeable assets, including Jaylen Brown.
Via ESPN:
The Nets’ posture on a potential trade has been largely unchanged: They want a massive return that potentially includes multiple unprotected first-round picks, pick swaps and impactful players for Durant, sources said.
The Celtics consider All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum off limits in any trade talks, but Boston is able to construct a package for Durant that could include Brown and as many as three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) — and two pick swaps (2024 and 2026). Brown, 25, has two years and $56 million left on his current contract.
As revealed by Woj, the Nets are still in search of an enormous trade package for KD. Despite being 33 years old, Durant is a sensational player. When he’s healthy, there aren’t many players in the league that can match his talent level.
But knowing how the Nets have negotiated with teams so far in the league, it seems highly unlikely a trade package around just Brown and a bunch of picks will get the job done. The Nets will probably ask to add the likes of Marcus Smart to the package as well.
Doing so might help the Celtics land KD, but their team will take a huge hit. After all, Smart is one of the best defenders in the league and has a huge locker room presence as well.
