Kevin Durant views Celtics, 76ers as desired landing spots
Kevin Durant has reportedly added a pair of teams to his trade wishlist.
The Brooklyn Nets star views the Boston Celtics as a "desired landing spot" and the Philadelphia 76ers as another "welcome landing spot," SNY's Ian Begley reported Wednesday. If Durant gets traded to Boston, he would like to play with Celtics guard Marcus Smart, Begley added.
Brooklyn has wanted Smart in any deal for Durant, though, asking for the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, plus Jaylen Brown, another player and multiple first-round picks, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The Nets' asking price from the Celtics was originally much higher than that. Brooklyn asked for Jayson Tatum and Brown when trade talks between the two teams first started, according to The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and coach Ime Udoka have been in constant communication with Brown, with the star wing seeming "to understand the situation," Himmelsbach added.
There hasn't been "any real traction" in a Durant-to-Boston deal, Himmelsbach also reported.
Wednesday's news comes a few days after Durant reportedly told Nets owner Joe Tsai to fire general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash or honor his trade request.
Durant "does not have faith in the team’s direction," Charania reported Monday.
Later Monday, Tsai had this to say on Twitter.
Durant requested a trade on June 30, the first day of NBA free agency. His request came shortly after Kyrie Irving exercised his player option for the 2022-23 season to return to the Nets. The Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat are all considered top candidates to acquire Durant, Charania reported.
Durant is entering the first season of a four-year, $194 million extension with the Nets, which he signed after the 2020-21 season. The 33-year-old has appeared in 90 games for the Nets over three seasons due to recovery from a torn Achilles tendon and varying injuries since making his debut for the franchise in the 2020-21 season.
This browser does not support the Video element.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request to the Brooklyn Nets. Colin Cowherd reacts to the developing news.
Durant isn't worth a team giving up its future via trade, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" host Colin Cowherd said Monday.
"Four years left, though, I'm not giving up my future, my chemistry, my bench and my coach for Kevin Durant," Cowherd said. "I can't do it. When you're not happy in Golden State with Steve Kerr, Stephen [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] and Draymond [Green], man, I don't know if you're ever satisfied.
"I think that's the problem now is people want Kevin Durant. I think the market for his services is large, but what can you give up for him? I'm not giving up my future. I'm not giving you six first-round picks. I'm not giving up my bench and my chemistry and my coach."
Nash is 92-62 as Brooklyn's head coach while Marks, who has been the team's general manager since 2016, recently signed an extension.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Emmanuel Acho, Bucky Brooks and Joy Taylor play the ‘Better Chance’ game where they discuss Kevin Durant’s future with Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets, the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, were swept by the eventual conference-champion Celtics in the first round. Brooklyn has acquired wing Royce O'Neale from the Utah Jazz, signed forward T.J. Warren and re-signed big man Nic Claxton and guard Patty Mills this offseason.
The Nets traded James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers at last season's NBA trade deadline. They received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft selections from Philadelphia for Harden and Paul Millsap. Simmons didn't appear in a game due to a back injury and cited mental health issues.
Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 51.8%/38.3%/91.0% last season.