The Boston Celtics have emerged as supposed suitors in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Boston had offered Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a draft pick. The Nets reportedly countered with Brown, Marcus Smart, "potentially one more rotation player" and picks.
The Nets, of course, clearly concede they won't be getting Jayson Tatum for Durant, but it's telling of where the Celtics think they are. Despite making the NBA Finals last year, they're interested in landing another superstar.
While the prospect of blowing up a roster that appeared in a championship likely doesn't sound enticing to fans, front offices wouldn't be doing their due diligence to not inquire about Durant where possible.
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Tatum, for his part, isn't saying much about the Celtics' attempts to reload. At a premiere for Showtime's "Point Gods," he downplayed his role in team decisions and questioned the accuracy of the report.
"I don't think anything of it..." he said. "...I played with [Durant] during the Olympics. Obviously, he's a great player, but that's not my decision. I love our team. I love the guys that we got ... We got [Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari]. I love our team. I just go out there and play with my teammates. I don't put that hat on to make decisions."
Of the report, Tatum said: "I don't know if that report is true or not... I don't believe everything I see on TV. I've seen some [expletive] about me that was a lie. You never really know what's true or what's not true."
It's possible Brown isn't quite as reticent to believe, given he tweeted "smh" the day the report came out. Then again, he could be shaking his head at the report. The tweet is just vague enough to say nothing.
Smh
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 25, 2022
Tatum knows the Celtics are built around him and his skill set, and he undoubtedly knows Durant coming in would change the culture. However, Durant is also one of the best scorers in NBA history, and the Celtics found themselves stymied for long stretches against the Warriors.
Durant may make the roster better, but would the cost beyond the trade package be worth it?
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Boston believes it's in its championship window now, and that makes teams get aggressive. The rumor mill has churned slower in recent days, however, so expect the KD saga to continue to drag into the offseason.
