The Phoenix Suns can be a potential landing destination for Kevin Durant, who is asking for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. However, from the standpoint of the Nets, the Boston Celtics may be among the few clubs in the hunt for the star based on the trade package they have to offer.
The Celtics have been in talks with the Nets, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, and were verified Monday by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, adding the Suns, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors as teams reportedly interested in trade for Durant.
Brooklyn, on the other hand, looks to be nowhere closer to approving any deal as of Monday, when that tidbit was disclosed. According to Wojnarowski, Boston’s package would begin with Jaylen Brown, since fellow wing Jayson Tatum is reportedly unavailable.
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The Celtics may also trade up to three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps. According to Charania, Boston has made an offer for guard Derrick White, but Brooklyn is also interested in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
The Suns’ matching of an Indiana Pacers offer sheet to Deandre Ayton has taken the center’s salary from consideration for inclusion in any deal, but the Nets were apparently not interested in him anyway. Nonetheless, Ayton’s deal would have helped in the progression of a huge trade if other teams had been included. According to Charania, Ayton’s comeback makes Phoenix “appear to be all but eliminated from the Durant sweepstakes.”
A Suns deal would now have to start with Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and future draft picks, falling short of what the Celtics, for example, are likely offering. According to Wojnarowski and Charania, Brooklyn’s high asking price has slowed negotiations since Durant requested a trade on June 30.
Durant’s desire hasn’t altered, though, which means the issue is likely to continue until training camp, where the forward’s presence at Nets camp is uncertain.
Which team, do you suppose, is going to be Durant’s new home? Let us know your guess in the comment.
