Report: Boston Celtics emerge as possible suitor for Kevin Durant

Some time has passed – nearly a month – since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, but the sweepstakes are still very much open. Now, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics have come to the table with a major offer for the former Texas Longhorns superstar.

Per Charania, the Celtics offered a package centered around Jaylen Brown for Durant. The full deal was reportedly Brown, Derrick White, and a draft pick. Charania said that the Nets denied that offer, and would like a deal for Durant to include Brown, Marcus Smart, draft picks and possibly another rotational piece.

Even though no deal is currently imminent, and other teams remain involved in acquiring Durant, the Celtics are undoubtedly in play.

“As of right now, the Celtics have emerged as a serious possibility as a landing spot for Durant,” wrote Charania. “They have tremendous interest in bringing him in and view him as a piece that could take them over that final hurdle. Although there is work to be done, there is a deal to be had that would suffice the Nets’ overwhelming ask.”

Durant would be a big-time add for the Celtics

Last season, Durant played in 55 games, averaging 37.2 minutes per contest. He posted a line of 29.9 points per game, in addition to 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He shot 51.8% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range.

In his career, Durant is a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA selection, and he won the 2013-2014 NBA MVP award. He has also won two NBA Championships, earning two Finals MVP awards while doing so. Durant is also a four-time scoring champ.

Parting with Brown would be a hefty price for the Celtics, but it would be necessary to bring in a player of Durant’s caliber. Brown, the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, played in 66 games last season, averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 33.6 minutes per contest. He is a one-time NBA All-Star.

The Nets have had an eventful offseason centered around their two biggest stars in Durant and Kyrie Irving. Irving’s future was and remains in serious question, even after he opted into his player option for next season. For now, though, next year’s outlook largely depends on the outcome of the Durant sweepstakes. It could become yet another major move that could completely shake up the NBA.