Would Kevin Durant Trade Push Celtics to Next Level amid Latest NBA Rumors?
The Brooklyn Nets had championship aspirations when they assembled the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving on their roster. However, things never went as planned, and only Durant remains on the team.
Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last February. Then on Monday, Irving was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks.
It's possible that Durant's time in Brooklyn could also be ending soon. The next best move for the Nets could be to move the 34-year-old forward in order to land a large return and begin preparing for the future.
If that happens, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes the next phase of Durant's career could take place with the Boston Celtics.
"I'm hearing that he's on the verge of potentially being moved," Smith said on First Take on Monday. "Obviously, we've all been speculating about that, that he may be moved. They're on the phone. I'm hearing Boston is making some calls. Keep your eye on that Jaylen Brown. Keep your eye on that."
A trade between the Nets and Celtics featuring both Durant and Brown would be a blockbuster move. And it would alter the landscape of the league quite a bit.
Brooklyn may not immediately contend for a title with Brown as the centerpiece of its roster, but the 26-year-old would be great to build around. He's having the best season of his seven-year NBA career, as he's averaging 27 points and 7.1 rebounds (both career highs) in 47 games.
But Boston would be the clear front-runner to win the championship this season with Durant on its roster. After all, the Celtics already have the best record in the league (38-16) and are cruising toward a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
Adding Durant to a rotation that features Jayson Tatum, Malcolm Brogdon and others would immediately take Boston to the next level. It would then have two of the top eight scoring leaders in the NBA in Tatum (30.9 points per game) and Durant (29.7).
Not only that, but Durant knows what it takes to win a title. He won a pair of championships during his time with the Golden State Warriors (2017 and 2018) and was also named NBA Finals MVP each of those years.
It would be interesting to see what else the Celtics may have to give up in order to acquire Durant, who is signed through the end of the 2025-26 season. Brown is only under contract until the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, so his value may be a little lower.
Even if Boston has to give up a significant package in order to land Durant, that may be a wise move to make. He's one of the best players in the league, and he'd raise the Celtics' odds of winning their first NBA title since 2008.
So Boston should be willing to meet Brooklyn's potentially high asking price. And if Durant ends up on the Celtics, expect to see them have an impressive showing throughout the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs.
