Why the Celtics should trade Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant

Six summers in the past appears like a unique universe. Marcus Sensible, Isaiah Thomas, and Kelly Olynyk led a Kevin Durant pitch within the Hamptons that’ll be remembered ceaselessly by Celtics followers. Tom Brady acted as a spokesman for New England. Danny Ainge guided a Boston franchise towards including each Al Horford and Durant, and changing into prohibitive title favorites.

Now, Ainge is in Utah, Brady is in Tampa Bay, Thomas is combating to remain within the NBA, and the Celtics have entered the newest Durant sweepstakes, based on ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Boston has provided Jaylen Brown, based on Charania, a robust overture that, regardless of the Nets declining, all of the sudden locations the Boston in pole place to amass one of many biggest gamers of all time. The Nets want to stay related after Durant, and given Brown’s youth, upside and skill to guide a aggressive group now, Brown and his beneath market contract pairs properly with Ben Simmons in Brooklyn. On account of Simmons’ designated rookie extension standing, he can’t be on the roster with different stars the Nets might goal in change, like Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker and Michael Porter Jr. The Suns’ Deandre Ayton signing made him trade-ineligible till January, additional stalling the Durant market and opening the door for the Celtics to emerge as a robust suitor that may very well be one transfer from a championship.

Think about Boston displaying up for a Finals rematch towards the Warriors with a motivated Durant, who averaged almost 30 factors, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per recreation on 52% capturing, making the All-NBA Second Workforce and regarded an MVP frontrunner earlier than spraining his MCL final 12 months. His lackluster first spherical collection seemed dangerous, however got here towards an intimidating Celtics protection after he carried additional weight all season for a sporadically accessible Kyrie Irving and James Harden (earlier than Simmons arrived and didn’t play). Durant, 33, remains to be one of many 2-5 finest gamers within the NBA with Jayson Tatum not far behind. Golden State could be nervous.

Brown’s inclusion is not any insult, like Adebayo’s wasn’t in Warmth rumors — “it’s what it’s,” Bam mentioned. It’s a credit score to how invaluable and prolific they’ve develop into as gamers. Brown could be an ideal place to begin for a franchise retooling on the fly, with the Celtics reportedly providing Brown alongside Derrick White and a first-round decide. The Nets countered, demanding Marcus Sensible, extra future first-round picks and probably one other rotation participant. Boston can provide three firsts and two swaps, with a 2028 possibility already despatched to the Spurs within the White deal.

The Malcolm Brogdon commerce gave Boston larger flexibility to commerce a guard and the Danilo Gallinari signing might Grant Williams accessible. The road stops at Robert Williams III, whose Defensive Participant of the Yr-worthy season in his first as a full-time starter and his offensive upside seemed like a legit championship swing issue. Boston gained his Finals minutes handily and he’s develop into borderline untouchable regardless of lingering well being issues.

That leaves Brown as a centerpiece. Regardless of making enormous strides playing with Tatum, changing into part of a top-ranked defense and his personal annual enchancment, he’s solely signed for 2 extra years. The explanation to commerce for Durant could be his capacity to vault the group’s offense into the upper-echelon of the league although Brown’s pending free company is an ancillary consideration.

Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Brown and Tatum have repeatedly performed up their bond and Brown’s invested within the metropolis by means of a pop-up retailer for his clothes model and teaching programs with native schools. Nevertheless, Brown recently liked a tweet commenting on disrespect from Celtics fans, and joined the Donda Sports activities advertising and marketing company, with its head Kanye West reportedly considering Brown underappreciated. Durant’s want to play in an intense Boston market is price contemplating, too. Brown’s lived it and thrived whereas Durant has clapped again at criticism about his Warriors tenure.

Brown tweeted “smh” after the experiences got here out Monday morning. There might not be any challenge past an annual annoyance of his title being talked about in commerce rumors. NBA historical past does present gamers as gifted, influential, and holding the potential Brown does needing their very own group, metropolis and affect impartial of how revered they really feel. Nevertheless, the Celtics can in the end provide him essentially the most cash by far, not not like this summer time’s offers for Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal.

It’s not possible to foretell the longer term, whether or not it’s Durant’s or Brown’s, however on condition that Boston can solely provide a three-year, $123-million extension to Brown starting on Oct. 1, he’ll inevitably develop into an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Then, it’ll be tough to get better any fraction of worth if Brown decides to depart — one 12 months earlier than Tatum can attain his personal free company.

The primary consideration needs to be on the ground immediately. Does Durant carry you considerably nearer to a championship immediately if you happen to substitute Brown with him?

That reply is sure, relying on how far more Boston provides up past Brown. Each the Celtics and Warriors confirmed the worth of depth, continuity and what number of dependable contributors you possibly can court docket within the playoffs. There’s an excessive amount of expertise within the league now to make your self a skinny tremendous group. Others just like the Nets and Lakers faltered resulting from their lack of full, versatile rosters.

We don’t have a concrete motive for why Durant demanded a commerce one month in the past, whether or not in protection of Irving or to flee him, however Brooklyn has Durant below contract for 4 years. It’d take a critical or disruptive holdout or possession intervention to pressure Sean Marks right into a deal they don’t discover substantive. Brooklyn gave up its first-round picks by means of 2028, so that they’ll have to get better what they misplaced to the Rockets within the Harden commerce. There’s monetary incentive for them to stay aggressive as one of the crucial costly groups in NBA historical past.

The Celtics couldn’t relaxation on their success final 12 months both. Ime Udoka acknowledged the offense did Boston in. Brad Stevens admitted the necessity for extra playmaking and introduced in Brogdon. While internal growth could inch the team closer to a championship, with the ability to throw Durant the ball and get a basket from him at will would assist shake up a lot of the group’s offensive stagnancy from the postseason.

Durant helps passing, motion, turnover and effectivity points. Tatum’s presence takes some facilitating and scoring load off Durant, permitting him to relaxation extra typically. As a seven-footer who can play some middle, he’d be a great match for Udoka’s defensive system. Udoka coached Durant throughout the 2020-21 season in Brooklyn, after main Durant and Tatum collectively on Workforce USA final summer time. Whereas Tatum stays above the fray, Durant’s fiery edge may very well be a productive complement for the star.

The query for the franchise and followers alike can be which they like, a stronger quick probability or two at a title, or an extended window with a youthful group which may fall simply quick like they did final season?