Fresh off a run to the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics aren’t ready to slow down. In fact, this summer, team President Brad Stevens is doing whatever he can to maximize his team’s chances of winning a title next season.
So, considering the most recent news on the Durant situation, it’s no surprise that the Celtics have emerged as a major front runner to land the 2x champion.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, an offer centered around young two-way wing Jaylen Brown could be one of the best options on the table for Brooklyn.
After Durant’s trade request on June 30, the Nets engaged in conversations with almost every team in the league, according to sources. But because the Nets have set a sky-high threshold for the return the franchise wants for Durant — a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, a former league MVP and 12-time All-Star — teams have not yet been able to meet the asking price.
The Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat remain the most significant candidates to acquire Durant, sources said, with Boston’s package centering around All-Star forward Jaylen Brown seen as a viable deal. Tsai and the Nets have made clear privately that they will take every last asset from a team that trades for Durant, sources said.
Unfortunately for Joe Tsai and the Nets, Kevin Durant has not backed off his trade request. After making an ultimatum to the organization, some big decisions will have to be made about who sticks around next season.
If the Nets decide to wipe the slate clean, they could look to Boston to help replenish some of their assets. Alongside Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and others, KD could thrive on the Celtics.
While it remains to be seen how all of this will play out, the Cs are knocking on the door of a serious acquisition, and it could shift the NBA’s balance of power in a big way.
