Everything We Know About Boston’s Meeting With Kevin Durant

Here’s everything we know about Kevin Durant’s meeting with the Boston Celtics

After Kevin Durant held meetings with the Oklahoma City Thunder a couple of days ago, and the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors yesterday, the Boston Celtics needed to pull out the big guns, and they did. Sadly, they weren’t able to convince Al Horford to agree to a deal on Friday night so he could join them in the Hamptons, however they weren’t short of star power.

All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart were all present for Durant’s meeting with the Celtics. Although, the biggest star in the meeting wasn’t even a basketball player.

Tom Brady, yes, the New England Patriots quarterback, decided to help out the Celtics and help pitch the city of Boston to Durant. And according to league sources, he did a very good job.

Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz was also an option to bring to the meeting, but the Red Sox had a game. Although, Ortiz wasn’t shy on Twitter as he tweeted at Durant apologizing for not being at the meeting but mentioning the winning tradition the city of Boston has.

There was also a report that Durant flew to Boston last night to meet Brady and they flew back to the Hamptons today, together. Obviously that indicates Durant has huge interest in Boston if it’s true.

https://twitter.com/davidortiz/status/749372847156523008

As far as the actual meeting, Durant met with the Celtics for a long time. He has met with teams for several hours over the past couple of days, carefully listening to what every team is saying and weighing his options.

Of course, the Celtics biggest news on Saturday came when Al Horford agreed to a four-year max contract with the Celtics. This is huge for them as they’re able to pitch the idea of Durant, Thomas and Horford forming a Big 3 next season to entice Durant. Also, according to The Vertical, Durant is very fond of Horford’s game and was trying to recruit him to the Thunder.

Although, Horford didn’t feel comfortable signing a long-term deal with the Thunder because he didn’t feel that Durant and Russell Westbrook were locks to stay with Oklahoma City for the rest of their careers. Obviously that’s huge news for the Celtics as that could mean Durant is actually thinking about leaving Oklahoma City, and Boston is the only team who wouldn’t have to make any roster changes to give him a max contract.

Whether or not the Celtics were still meeting with Durant at the time of the Horford signing is unknown. The meeting was reported over about half an hour before Horford’s announcement, but according to Sam Amick, they were still talking when Horford announced his intentions to join the Celtics.

That would give the Celtics huge leverage to be able to talk about the deal on the spot with Durant. Also, the Clippers re-signed Austin Rivers to a three-year deal, making it seem close to impossible that they’d be able to clear enough cap space to sign Durant to a max contract.

Timing is everything, and the Boston Celtics may have had amazing timing today. With all the reports and signings that took place today, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Celtics significantly moved up Durant’s board.

Next: Al Horford Signs With Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder still have meetings tomorrow before Durant’s decision. While the Thunder are still seen as favorites to re-sign him, the Celtics aren’t going down easy. And knowing Isaiah Thomas, he won’t stop recruiting Durant just because the meeting is over.