The recent Boston Celtics rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo have made many forget that Kevin Durant also recently popped up as a Celtics target not too long ago. From a talent perspective, Antetokounmpo is the better player of the two, but there's a case to be made that Durant being easier to acquire could be exactly why Boston should try to get him first.
Even if Antetokounmpo's value is the lowest it's ever been, acquiring him will require sending back a player like Jaylen Brown. Not just because Brown is that good but because such an exchange won't eat into the Celtics cap room, as both players will be paid the same amount next season.
Such is not the case with Durant, who will make almost $44 million, compared to Brown, who will make $57 million. Hence, a trade wouldn't necessarily have to require Brown. In fact, Derrick White ($30.3 million) and Sam Hauser ($10.8 million) together are enough to make a deal (once the new NBA season starts in July).
The Rockets just came off a pretty rocky year, highlighted by both untimely injuries and Kevin Durant's burner accounts (again). Nothing is set in stone, but it's come into question whether they should run it back with Durant.
Durant wouldn't be the No. 1, and that's the point
If the Celtics push for Durant, there'd be no need to make him their No. 1 scorer because they already have two superstars in their prime who can handle that load. Having KD as their third banana could unlock a level they haven't seen before.
At this stage of his career, Durant is not a No. 1. In fact, a swap of Brown for Durant would feel like a lateral move at best (potentially worse as Durant will be 38 next season). However, if the Celtics were to get him without trading Brown or Jayson, that's an impressive trio.
Boston's problem has been opponents daring anyone who's not the Jays to beat them, so having Durant as that safety valve could be the ultimate cheat code for the Celtics. For everything Durant isn't anymore, he still is an all-time scorer who is a matchup problem no matter who he plays for.
And he would be third in the Celtics pecking order.
The prospect of pairing Tatum with Antetokounmpo while both are still in their primes is a pretty phenomenal prospect. Pairing Durant with prime Tatum and Brown might be exactly what gets the Celtics back to the days they once had.
Durant may not want to be the third option, but at this stage of his career, it might be the most perfect role for him since he joined Golden State.
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