NBA GM Floats Revised Celtics Offer for Nets Star Kevin Durant

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Brooklyn Nets No. 7 Kevin Durant smiles in the first half against the Washington Wizards

The Brooklyn Nets are hosting a tournament for Kevin Durant’s potential deals after the superstar requested a trade.

The request was made over a month ago and there doesn’t seem to be much traction on a deal as the summer kicks in. The Boston Celtics offered Jaylen Brown in a deal, and it seemed like the best deal the Nets had to date and even that wasn’t enough to get the Nets to accept.

The Nets have a very high asking price for the superstar as he remains on a four-year contract and remains a highly productive player. No matter which way you cut it, the Nets would be a worse team without Durant.

If Durant doesn’t withdraw his trade request, things could go awry and the Nets might have to accept an offer against their will just so they can get something in return.

Fox Sports reporter Ric Bucher spoke to several NBA generals, and one of them proposed a retooling deal for the Celtics to keep Brown and Marcus Smart in Boston and send him instead. Jayson Tatum to Brooklyn.

Tatum for Durant?

Of the two “Jays”, it seems agreed that Tatum is the better long-term prospect, and that may be why the Celtics didn’t invite him in the first place.

However, one GM is concerned about Tatum and Durant’s suitability, so he will suggest a different route.

“KD and Tatum are both talented, but I don’t know how tough they are,” he told Bucher. “I know he’s a lot younger than KD, but if you were just trying to win a title, would you trade Tatum for Durant? I’ll do that before giving them Jaylen and Smart. Brown is a bit underrated Tatum because he’s not very skilled. He is a high level athlete who has developed into a good player. But I have to think Brooklyn would prefer Tatum and you wouldn’t have to give up Smart.”

Smart is the defending Defensive Player of the Year, so it’s no surprise that the Celtics appreciate him and would be hesitant to give him up on a deal, even if it were for Durant.

The Celtics have just started the NBA Finals, so the current roster has shown they can compete for the championship, so giving up key pieces in exchange for Durant may not be in the best interest of the Celtics. team.

Nets have other options?

While the Celtics’ offer may be the best the Nets have received to date, there are still other avenues Brooklyn could explore.

The Lakers remain an option for not only Kyrie Irving, but also Durant. LA Times reporter Dan Woike quotes NBA executives as believing the Lakers have the assets needed to acquire Durant.

“In total, according to several rival executives, it is probably enough to push the Lakers over the finish line in a deal with the Pacers for Turner and Hield (although the asking price for Turner is usually at least a first pair). ), ”Woike wrote. “And if the Nets decide to trade Kevin Durant, the Lakers’ potential swap and options package will once again be able to please Brooklyn or a third team ready to take on Westbrook before that, potentially buying him. me and make him a free agent.”

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