The Boston Celtics could be more aggressive in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes if they warm up to the idea of him aging like fine wine into his mid to late 30s — this, according to Sports Illustrated’s Mike McDaniel.
He added the caveat that ‘the Nets will continue to wait and see how Durant’s market develops as the offseason continues while holding out hope that he will ultimately want to remain with the franchise.’
Hardwood Houdini has long touted Brown as the potential centerpiece for a Durant swap with the team the Cs just ripped the hearts out from in the first round of the Eastern Conference postseason. While Derrick White was the original secondary piece we touted, the market has seemingly since shifted in terms of what the Nets would realistically accept.
Marcus Smart is the key to a Kevin Durant trade for the Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown’s contributions to three Cs teams that made the Eastern Conference finals and one that came within two games of Banner 18 cannot be understated. It is a business, though, and he is the only possible way to land Durant. Well, one of two anyway.
Marcus Smart is the other key to the equation, as Shams Charania reported for The Athletic that Smart is the key to any deal (h/t Heavy):
"“The Celtics offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected, and Brooklyn has asked Boston — in any proposal — to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks, and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added.”"
Smart’s defense would add a ton of it to a Brooklyn depth chart that is more offensively inclined at the moment. Combined with Brown, Royce O’Neal, and Nic Claxton, the Nets would form a nice identity as a defensive-minded chaos-causing group. Kyrie Irving would be the offensive centerpiece in that case.
Both Brooklyn and Boston’s fanbases should be excited about the prospect of a swap involving Brown, Smart, and Durant. That’s the prevailing belief around these parts at this juncture of the NBA offseason.
It’d especially be the case if there’s enough proof on the Boston Celtics’ end that Durant’s injury history won’t be something that prevents him from having a LeBron James-like mid-to-late 30s in the ‘Association.’