All-Star forward, Jaylen Brown is at the center of Boston Celtics’ proposed trade package to Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kevin Durant. The C’s reportedly offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, which was rejected and countered by the Nets. Brooklyn has asked Boston to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player in any proposal, a that Boston is less inclined to include Smart along with multiple other player or pick assets in a deal.
The Nets reportedly turned down a trade package involving Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant. 😱 pic.twitter.com/ZZQpR3BtuM — theScore (@theScore) July 25, 2022
KD, 33, signed a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets last August. Meanwhile, Brown has two years left on his contract with Boston. Much Ado About Durant’s Transfer While it is likely that this situation will get dragged into training camp near the end of September and possibly into the start of the 2022-23 season, the Boston Celtics have been named a possible suitor for Durant because of the assets that they have to barter with. Not only could Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and big man Robert Williams III be viewed as high-level assets by the Brooklyn Nets if offered up in a potential Kevin Durant trade, but All-Star wing Jaylen Brown could be the kind of player that can get this deal done as soon as possible.
"This is one of the first smart things the Nets have done in years — put the Jaylen Brown offer out there. … The Celtics HAVE to find a way to make this trade for Kevin Durant." — @getnickwright explains: pic.twitter.com/9zXPH25H7Z — First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 26, 2022
Sources familiar with Brown have stated that the Celtics’ All-Star wants to be in Boston and has no interest in being involved in these recent trade rumors. Not a few tend to believe that the Nets are “looking to drive the market” with regards to Durant trades by pushing the Boston Celtics into the conversation. Why Would Durant Want to Play in Massachusetts? Disillusionment on one hand and the treatment of Kyrie Irving on the other are some of the reasons Durant requested to be traded away from Brooklyn, and the Celtics are not his preferred team. But Boston was a team Durant granted a meeting with in 2016, when he was a free agent. He relates quite well with Al Horford, who considered signing with OKC at the time, had Durant elected to remain at Oklahoma. He is familiar with Ime Udoka, then an assistant with Brooklyn during the 2020–21 season. Also Durant is in pursuit of another championship ring. On paper, the Celtics may offer him the best shot.
REPORT: The Celtics are very “serious” about acquiring Kevin Durant and believe he’s the piece that can take them “over that final hurdle”, reports @ShamsCharania. 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/ymkCuGma0H — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 25, 2022
What Options Are Best For Boston and Brown? Brown has been nothing but professional at Boston. He is also two years away from free agency, having signed a contract below market value at the time makes it highly unlikely he extends before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. The Celtics could offer Brown the most money, which, as we have seen with Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard, is a huge advantage but still possible Brown simply signs elsewhere. From the foregoing, Boston understandably do not want to include Marcus Smart in a Durant deal, and Robert Williams III is likely off limits. But they have options – and they know that it is possible, maybe even likely, that Brown is the best centerpiece of any trade Brooklyn is formally offered.
In spite of the trade talks, Jaylen Brown wants to be in Boston, per @JaredWeissNBA pic.twitter.com/xVm38my6ya — NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 26, 2022
For now, the 17-time champions will have to see whether the Nets blink as it could be Boston’s best chance to take a big swing.