The Nets continue to look for ways to move Kevin Durant and the reigning Eastern Conference champion Celtics have entered the sweepstakes, as we relayed here.
But so far, even Jaylen Brown isn’t enough to get the Nets to budge.
In what has to be the best offer for Durant yet, the Celtics floated Brown, Derrick White and a first-round pick, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Nets, it seems, also wanted Celtics guard Marcus Smart. Oh, and more picks and a possible additional veteran, Charania added.
Granted, Boston is not alone in its pursuit of Durant — but it’s hard to envision someone else making a similar offer, with a younger All-Star such as Brown as the centerpiece to a deal.
Durant requested a trade shortly before the free agency period tipped off on the final day of June. He made the request shortly after Kyrie Irving made it known that he was opting in to his contract to return to Brooklyn for another year.
Brown, by the way, seemed to respond to reports that he was being mentioned as the possible prize in a Durant trade.
“Smh,” Brown tweeted, indicating he’s not happy with the news.
And at this point, the Celtics may have no choice but to move Brown — whether it’s for Durant or not.
Either way, it is believed the Celtics and Nets will continue to work out a deal.
After all, the Celtics could have the type of massive package the Nets are seeking. Along with Brown, they could include “as many as three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) — and two pick swaps (2024 and 2026)” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.
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