Boston Celtics: HH trade proposal sends Kevin Durant to the Memphis Grizzlies

Another day, another Kevin Durant sweepstakes update that may or may not ultimately have any effect on where the 12x All-Star ends up at the start of training camp in late September — which has been tabbed the most likely period of time the Boston Celtics or any other team is expected to amp up the heat on a potential KD trade.

This time, we have the Memphis Grizzlies, who have made “new inquiries” to the Brooklyn Nets. Shams Charania reports that while the Grizz “do not appear inclined” to include Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane in the offer, they are prepared to offer up to five future first-round picks.

Truthfully, it’s not likely Memphis would make many inroads without at least Jackson Jr., whose $28+ million cap figure would help match salaries in any potential swap. The current exclusion of Bane also feels like a concession the Grizzlies will eventually have to make to get something done. A combination of Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Danny Green isn’t getting a deal done.

Hardwood Houdini hopes that if the Boston Celtics are involved in a KD trade but doesn’t end up being the team to corral Durant themselves, they could end up being apart of it in this capacity to improve the roster:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Upgrading from Payton Pritchard to Desmond Bane in the backcourt would require draft capital but it’d be well worth it for a Boston Celtics front office that acquired two high-level ball-handlers in Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon over the course of the past six months.

Bane showed during games Ja Morant was out of the lineup that he could carry an offense with his shot-creation. He very well might have a star ceiling, so if the Cs can slip into the Kevin Durant negotiations and end up with him it’d undoubtedly be a major victory.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies do it

With all of the outbound pieces in this deal, there will still be enough leftover on Grizzlies the roster to remain a contender after adding the former 2x NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant in a hypothetical trade.

Ja Morant is the kingpin piece in which the rest of the roster is built around, while Steven Adams is the defensive anchor in the paint. Tyus Jones, Brandon Clarke, Danny Green, John Konchar, and Santi Aldama represent decent depth.

Assuming veterans would follow suit after a Durant trade, the Grizzlies have enough reasons to take a massive gamble on one of the game’s all-time greats.

Why the Brooklyn Nets do it

There is a lot coming back to Brooklyn in this hypothetical Kevin Durant blockbuster — most notably six future first-round draft picks and a second-rounder coming from the Atlanta Hawks next summer.

The picks are a must, but the inclusion of Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Ziaire Williams, and Payton Pritchard surrounds Kyrie Irving with talented contributors all aged 26 and under that have experience playing in a culture conducive to winning.