After Kevin Durant reiterated his industry request with Nets proprietor Joseph Tsai this week, it was once broadly regarded as that the Celtics have been KD’s in all probability vacation spot and that the ball was once in President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens’ courtroom to make the next step. Boston had Jaylen Brown, considered the most productive to be had participant in the newest around of rumors, and a cache of function gamers and draft alternatives to position in combination a industry package deal that might fulfill Brooklyn’s calls for.
But it surely takes two to tango.
In step with The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the 2 groups may well be farther aside — if now not most unlikely — in creating a blockbuster switch:
In step with the supply, Brooklyn to start with attempted to pry each Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from Boston. That proposal went nowhere, in fact. The supply showed fresh studies that Brooklyn later shifted its focal point to a possible deal targeted on Brown, Marcus Sensible, and a large haul of long term first-round draft alternatives. However the Celtics weren’t .
There may be in most cases posturing in industry discussions, and calls for generally tend to melt. However as of this week, when Durant reportedly reiterated his want to be traded all over a gathering with group proprietor Joe Tsai, the Celtics and Nets weren’t on the subject of a deal.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?!? Posturing certainly. The important thing issues in Himmelsbach reporting is that 1) it was once Nets GM Sean Marks, now not Stevens, that floated the theory of Brown, Marcus Sensible, and alternatives and a pair of) with the Celtics balking at each gives, the groups are at a stalemate.
Himmelsbach additionally is going on to mention that Boston’s mind agree with of Stevens of head trainer Ime Udoka had been in consistent touch with with Brown and that everyone understands that that is the trade of basketball.
And right here’s any other little wrinkle into the Durant saga from Sportsnet New York’s Ian Begley:
Durant sees Boston as a desired touchdown spot, in line with other people acquainted with the topic. Durant additionally wish to play with Boston’s Marcus Sensible if he’s traded to the Celtics, in line with other people acquainted with the topic.
It’s the primary time we’ve heard of Durant’s hobby within the Celtics and clearly, who doesn’t need to play with Smarty, proper?
For now, KD-to-Boston turns out lifeless, however with about six weeks ahead of coaching camp, the rest is imaginable.