At this point in the offseason, the NBA world collectively would like to see Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets finally move on after a tumultuous relationship has reached ‘attempted coup’ levels from the 33-year-old former 2x Finals MVP. The minute Durant demanded Joe Tsai replace Sean Marks and Steve Nash as Brooklyn’s GM and head coach, respectively, the Boston Celtics should have seen that as a chance for the price for KD to drop precipitously.
Previously, Marcus Smart was seen as the line in the sand in negotiations for the Nets’ front office, but with the latest round of trade chicken being played by Durant, it appears as though the goal for the NBA All-Second Team forward is to play with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, in his piece titled ‘Trade Ideas to Improve Every NBA Starting Lineup,’ made the obvious move to improve the Boston Celtics starting lineup with a simple Jaylen Brown-for-KD switch.
Perhaps his starting five shuffle could also include inserting the other hypothetical acquisition in the deal, Seth Curry, who’d be bringing his career 44% 3-point shooting to a roster that already added several sharpshooters (Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Gallinari) this offseason.
This was Buckley’s full deal:
The main Kevin Durant trade competitor to the Boston Celtics
Recently in London Kevin Durant was seen partying it up with James Harden at a Travis Scott concert, proving that the discomfort the former Nets guard felt with the franchise that led to the Ben Simmons trade had more to do with Kyrie Irving than any supposed bad blood between the two former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates.
That opens the door for the two to be teammates once more on Harden’s new squad, the Philadelphia 76ers, who apparently stand as the next viable destination for KD in a trade behind the Boston Celtics.
Philly’s best trade package is headlined by Tyrese Maxey, who may be the best player besides Jaylen Brown the Sixers can realistically nab in a trade. Tobias Harris and Mattise Thybulle round out a prospective Philadelphia trade offer.
Ultimately, while the 76ers offer features win-now pieces and a future-focused centerpiece, the Boston Celtics are the only team capable of offering someone who, in two years, could be better than Durant.