East Rumors: Bulls, Nets, Kevin Durant, Celtics, Jaylen Brown

Bulls

• While the Lakers, Mavericks and Knicks are showing interest, the Bulls have little desire to move guard Zach LaVine ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, per Jamal Collier of ESPN.
• It seems unlikely that the Mavericks would still be interested in LaVine, of course, given that they just swung a trade for Kyrie Irving. Nor is it clear what the Lakers could offer that would entice the Bulls to surrender their second-leading scorer.
• Overall, it seems as if the Bulls are more likely to keep the core of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic together for the rest of the season, as relayed by Jack Maloney of CBS Sports. DeRozan, though, continues to draw “serious interest” as well, sources said.

Nets

While sources told Hoops Wire that the Nets are determined to hang on to Kevin Durant, the Nets star may be on the verge of being moved, with the Celtics being the potential destination, per Stephen A. Smith of ESPN.

“Obviously we’ve all been speculating about that … that he may be moved,” Smith said on First Take, via Christopher Lavinio. “I’m hearing Boston is making some calls. Keep your eye on (Celtics guard/forward) Jaylen Brown. Keep your eye on that.”

• For the record, Smith broke the news that LeBron James was leaving the Cavaliers to play for the Heat back in 2010. So there is no doubt that Smith is extremely well-connected.
• As we relayed here, the Suns are also expected to make a run at Durant should he actually become available. There is a sense — and perhaps hope — among rival GMs that he will be after the Irving trade.
• Along with everything else, the Nets could be looking to trade guard Spencer Dinwiddie, part of the package for Irving. We have that full post here.

Celtics

• If you remember, the Celtics reportedly held talks with the Nets about Durant during the offseason, when Durant requested to be traded. Brown and guard Derrick White were the primary names mentioned as part of the package for Durant then.
• A deal that would team Durant with star forward Jayson Tatum may very well put the Celtics over the top in the Eastern Conference, which they are already leading. But it’s hard to tell what it may do for the Nets, beyond start fresh with Brown as the centerpiece. But Durant is likely to only be dealt if he requests a trade.
• The Celtics are among six teams interested in a trade for Pistons center Nerlens Noel, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. If Boston does make a deal, it seems more realistic that it would be one for some depth in the frontcourt, as opposed to a major Durant-like splash.