In a trade for Kevin Durant, it’s the “what else” that matters most for the Celtics

So, the Boston Celtics are trying right into a Kevin Durant commerce. Whereas the report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN got here as a little bit of a shock because of the timing, this information shouldn’t be stunning.

As quickly as Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, each crew across the league was destined to present them a name. Durant is among the finest gamers in NBA historical past and arguably the very best participant on planet earth proper now. Wanting right into a deal for him is simply good enterprise.

Shams Charania of The Athletic adopted up the preliminary report from Wojnarowski, revealing that the Nets had rejected one in every of Boston’s provides that included star Jaylen Brown. Brooklyn shall be in search of a star in return for Durant, so Brown would virtually definitely must be included in any deal.

But it surely’s the “what else” that needs to be a priority for the Celtics.

Picks are a given. Any crew that finally ends up buying and selling for Durant should half methods with a number of first-round picks, and the Celtics aren’t any exception to that rule. Nevertheless, if the Nets begin asking for key rotational gamers on high of Brown, that’s the place Boston ought to balk.

Proper now, the Celtics are coming off of an NBA Finals run the place they had been two wins away from successful a championship. Gutting their core to get Durant could be one factor, however buying and selling Brown AND gutting their core is one other. The duo of Jayson Tatum and Durant is sufficient to make mouths water, but when the depth behind them is subpar, then what’s the purpose?

If the Celtics might get Durant with out buying and selling Brown, they might have executed it by now. However since Brown should be included in any deal for the famous person, it’s necessary to weigh the ups and downs of buying and selling extra property.

*It’s additionally necessary to notice that a lot of the latest stories had been probably leaked by the Nets’ facet of issues. A number of Boston-based sources have indicated that the Celtics love Brown and that the sensation is mutual. The Celtics and Nets most likely have had preliminary talks, however as Wojnarowski even reported himself, no deal is near taking place proper now.

Monetary restrictions

Subsequent season, Durant will make roughly $46.4 million. With Brown solely making $28.5 million, the Celtics must ship further items in a deal merely to match cash. Nevertheless, since they’ve a number of gamers that would assist them match Durant’s wage, Boston has some choices.

They might select to ship one in every of their dearer contracts within the commerce, that means it might simply be a two-for-one deal. Or, they may probably bundle a couple of of their youthful gamers within the commerce in the same approach that they matched Malcolm Brogdon’s contract. However once more, all of it comes all the way down to what property they’re prepared to surrender.

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Marcus Sensible

That is the title that has been thrown round in some proposed trades. Bleacher Report wrote an article that advised Boston trades Brown, Sensible, a first-rounder, and two choose swaps for Durant. And whereas the Celtics shouldn’t have an issue giving up Sensible in a deal for a famous person, it goes again to the purpose that they must hand over Sensible AND Brown.

Sensible was the Celtics’ full-time level guard final season, and by all accounts, he did an outstanding job. He notched a career-high in assists, took house the Defensive Participant of the 12 months award, and helped lead the crew to The Finals. Plus, he’s underneath contract by means of the 2025-26 season, that means Boston’s core could be intact for longer.

Nevertheless, in tandem with all these spectacular accomplishments, Sensible’s worth is probably going at an all-time excessive. After what might simply be seen as the very best 12 months of his profession, his commerce worth could by no means be larger than it’s proper now. And with Derrick White and Brogdon on the roster, the Celtics have loads of guards.

So whereas the Celtics would most likely choose to maintain Sensible in a deal, capitalizing on his commerce worth might probably assist them preserve some leverage in negotiations when discussing choose compensation. Nevertheless, Boston ought to attempt to provide different packages earlier than they get to that time.

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Derrick White

Most often, this may be the best commerce. Giving up Brown, White, and picks for Durant is probably going the most cost effective bundle Boston might provide that may fulfill Brooklyn. White performed effectively in his position for the Celtics final season, however similar to was argued with Sensible, Boston has sufficient guard depth as is. Dropping White would go away them with a rotation of Sensible, Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard.

On the identical time, White would make a effective place to begin guard if the Nets demanded Sensible in a commerce. He and Brogdon are completely able to taking on the duties for Sensible. But when the Celtics might handle it, White would most likely be the best one to surrender in a Durant commerce.

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Malcolm Brogdon

Giving up Brogdon in a deal is feasible, however it might undoubtedly be awkward. Boston can’t commerce Brogdon till August 30 because of the recently-traded restriction. Plus, he arguably holds the least worth out of Boston’s core three guards.

If the Celtics had the selection to incorporate any one in every of Sensible, White, or Brogdon in a deal alongside Brown, Brogdon needs to be the speedy alternative, although. Not solely is he the oldest of the bunch, however he’s additionally injury-prone. And Boston would successfully simply be swapping out Brown for Durant on final 12 months’s roster, as Brogdon wasn’t part of that crew in any case.

On the this time, although, these are the precise the explanation why Brooklyn would virtually definitely not need Brogdon in a commerce. Since they maintain all of the leverage proper now, demanding both Sensible or White in a commerce is the clear resolution for Brooklyn.

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Robert Williams

This needs to be the road within the sand for the Celtics. Giving up Brown and Williams in a commerce for Durant could be fully throwing away Boston’s long-term timeline. Clearly, Tatum alone needs to be sufficient to make them a playoff crew for years to come back, however dumping two gamers 25-and-under for Durant (33 years outdated) would create an enormous timeline shift.

Final season, Williams confirmed some superb potential. Though he struggled with harm points within the latter half of the season (and has for his total profession), he nonetheless performed in essentially the most video games he ever has on the NBA degree. Not solely that, however he completed seventh in Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors and was the spine of the very best protection within the league.

From the angle of Brooklyn, asking for Williams is a no brainer. But it surely also needs to be the sticking level for Boston. Parting methods with the very best large man on their roster (particularly contemplating their lack of massive man depth) needs to be a tough no.

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Al Horford

Just like the concept of buying and selling Brogdon, giving up Horford wouldn’t be the tip of the world, however Brooklyn most likely wouldn’t need him within the commerce. At 36 years outdated, Horford is nearing the tip of his NBA profession and shall be heading into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. The Nets would virtually definitely ask for guys like Sensible, White, and even Brogdon earlier than asking for Horford.

Plus, as famous when discussing the concept of buying and selling Williams, Boston’s large man depth is shaky. Previous Horford and Williams, the very best true middle they’ve on the roster is Luke Kornet. Grant Williams can play up a bit, but when Boston trades Horford or Robert Williams, he could be pressured to be the crew’s full-time backup middle.

Buying and selling Horford merely doesn’t make sense for both facet, and that’s most likely for the very best.

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Grant Williams & Payton Pritchard

These two gamers are lumped collectively as a result of neither makes sufficient cash to be traded with Brown by themselves for Durant. That being stated, buying and selling Brown, Williams, and Pritchard for Durant would work from purely a monetary perspective. So, when contemplating the potential of giving up both of them, you’d even have to consider the price of dealing each of them.

Buying and selling Pritchard shouldn’t be that large of a deal for Boston. Reviews have already come out speculating that the Celtics could possibly be excited about dealing him no matter a Durant deal. Their present guard depth is superb, and Pritchard could discover himself stuffed to the underside of the depth chart.

Williams, then again, is a barely completely different story. Boston’s large man depth is already questionable, and the flexibleness Williams brings them shall be extraordinarily useful. However much like Sensible, his worth might be at an all-time excessive.

If the Nets had been , a commerce of Brown, Williams, and Pritchard could be the subsequent neatest thing to a Brown/White bundle. With Pritchard’s standing within the guard rotation, the true losses could be Brown and Williams. And when evaluating issues to final 12 months’s squad, that may basically imply changing Brown with Brogdon and changing Williams with Durant.

Clearly, issues aren’t that easy, and considering of hypotheticals like that’s by no means how issues translate in actuality. But when the Celtics can nab Durant with out giving up Sensible, White, Brogdon, or Robert Williams, that must be one thing to noticeably think about.

Doubtless outcomes

From the Celtics facet of issues, the very best two packages are most likely Brown/White or Brown/Grant Williams/Pritchard. On the identical time, Brooklyn would probably request a deal revolving round Brown and Sensible (if the Celtics make it clear that Robert Williams is off limits).

With Charania reporting that Brown was already supplied by the Celtics, any negotiations from this level will virtually definitely revolve round what else the Celtics are prepared to surrender. And as they appear to place collectively a championship-caliber roster for subsequent season, that’s the place issues get difficult.