The Boston Celtics have reportedly entered the chat to trade for Kevin Durant, according to multiple reports.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Celtics reportedly included Jaylen Brown as the centerpiece of a trade to acquire Durant. The Celtics have joined the Heat, Suns, and Raptors as the most well-known teams to have some interest in trading for KD, per Woj.
Multiple reports have stated that Brooklyn wants the farm in exchange for Durant, wanting several assets that include multiple unprotected first-round picks and All-Star quality players. Per Woj, there still hasn’t been any traction in trade talks for KD, and no team has met the significant price tag that Brooklyn has set for the 2014 MVP.
Although the Celtics consider Jayson Tatum off limits in any trade talks, Boston has built trades for the Durant that reportedly include Brown and up to three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps. Brown has two years left on the four-year extension he signed in 2019.
UPDATE: The Celtics’ offer was reportedly “rejected” as the Nets had asked Boston to include Brown, Marcus Smart, draft picks and possibly one more rotation player, per The Athletic.
ESPN Sources: As Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant’s trade request approaches its fourth week, the Boston Celtics have emerged among teams engaged in talks on a possible deal. Story: https://t.co/eXpn6fRoYl
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2022
According to insider Shams Charania, after Phoenix matched restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton’s offer sheet from Indiana, the Suns are all but eliminated from acquiring Durant.
Sources: The Boston Celtics have offered a Jaylen Brown package to the Nets for Kevin Durant, which Brooklyn turned down and countered.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2022
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
The Celtics also offered a package around Brown, Derrick White, and a draft for Durant, according to Charania. Brooklyn reportedly rejected the deal and requested that any Durant proposal include not only Brown and draft picks but reigning DPOY Marcus Smart and another rotational player. Boston is reportedly less enthusiastic about including Smart with other players and draft capital.
Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game on 51.8 percent shooting from the field and 38.1 percent from long distance.
