Boston Celtics nation went into a tizzy on NBA Twitter over a statement I posed about the idea of Jaylen Brown being shipped out for Kevin Durant in a recently proposed blockbuster with Brooklyn.
It is really not as simple as comparing the talents of the two stars, but the projected window for long-term team success.
Kevin Durant turns 34 next season
— Michael P Ivanoskos (@masterintell57) July 26, 2022
Jaylen Brown is 25 years old
The trade isn't about who is better right now but what makes the team have a longer window
With KD the window is 3 years at best...
With Brown it is potentially 5-8 years longer
Run it back
The tweet was meant to get Boston Celtics fans to pick a side: do they want to see this team win now or win in the long run?
Surprisingly, there was an incredible amount of pushback with C’s fans that would rather trade a large haul for KD believing that he elevates their contender status. Durant will be 34 at the beginning of the season and 37 by the time his contract comes to an end in 2026.
Brown, on the other hand, is 25 years old and has yet to even hit his prime as a peak player. He also was our consensus best player in the NBA Finals this past season.
The issue is NBA media has created a frenzy where two opposite narratives are being made public. The first is that Jaylen wants out due to frustration with the team and fanbase. The second is that he wants to remain in Boston amidst these rumors.
What are we supposed to believe?
If he ends up wanting out of his contract, then these next two tweets from C’s fan are scarily accurate.
Or it’s 4 for Kevin and 2 for Jaylen 😭
— 👑🐛 Tiger backWoods (@gerard_saucier) July 26, 2022
Current mindset of GMs is that window isn't smaller or larger based on age, based on contract length of franchise plaer. Tatum under contract for next 4yrs. can start telling folks he is walking in 2.5yrs - player movement in NBA crazy so no more 5+ windows, Brown may leave in 2
— Eaglelion (@MgEaglelion) July 26, 2022
The shamrocks would have Kevin Durant locked up for four years remaining on his contract versus an unhappy Jaylen Brown testing free agency for a new home in two years.
Others are simply just not interested in the long-term future and, instead, believe that capitalizing on the now is the best course of action for this club.
A lot can go wrong in 11 years. I’m leaning towards banking on the now. Win now. Worry about 8, 9, 10, 11 years from now later.
— AndrewFrenchLastName (@the_squanch) July 27, 2022
Now, if Jaylen Brown is, in fact, unhappy with the Boston Celtics, then there should be no hesitation to pull the trigger for arguably the best player in the world. However, recent reports suggest that the former All-Star is content to stay in Beantown despite other narratives.
Let’s hope the latter narrative is the one based in reality!
Next. NOLA showing exactly where C's went wrong in KD talks. dark