Kevin Durant desires trade to Celtics, 76ers intrigued: report

A new team has joined the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, and it’s the similar group that pried absent the Nets’ very last celebrity.

Right after getting James Harden in a Ben Simmons swap very last season, the Philadelphia 76ers have joined the pursuit of the 12-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, who described there are “high-ranking members of the Sixers who’ve felt strongly about participating with Brooklyn on a Durant trade.”

The SNY report, nevertheless, pointed out the Boston Celtics as Durant’s latest most well-liked trade destination and included an supplemental tidbit: Durant wishes to play with reigning Defensive Participant of the Yr Marcus Wise if he’s moved to Boston. The Nets reportedly rejected Boston’s trade offer you of All-Star wing Jaylen Brown, reserve guard Derrick White and a first-spherical pick, then countered, asking the Celtics to involve Smart, an additional rotation participant and more draft compensation.

Philadelphia’s curiosity in a Durant deal makes feeling specified Tobias Harris’ significant wage and lack of star-degree production. Harris averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 helps for each recreation final season — about on par with his occupation averages — but under no circumstances eclipsed 14 factors in any of the Sixers’ remaining four playoff games in their next-round playoff decline to the Miami Warmth.

It is unclear no matter whether or not the Nets would want Harris, 30, in any Durant offer, and assuming MVP runner-up Joel Embiid is untouchable, budding younger guard Tyrese Maxey would be the spotlight of any deal accomplished with Philadelphia. The Celtics can give a surefire All-Star in Brown, one particular or equally of forward Grant Williams and middle Robert Williams, a initially-round decide in 2025 and the lesser of their 1st-round picks in 2028, when the Spurs own swap legal rights on Boston’s decide on.

The Every day Information just lately claimed the New Orleans Pelicans’ fascination in buying Durant and could make an offer you highlighted by a person-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, youthful job players and sizeable draft compensation.

Elsewhere, there does not appear to be much traction on a Durant offer, while the Los Angeles Lakers are now reportedly prepared to include things like both of those 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks in a offer for Kyrie Irving. Earlier in the offseason, the Nets had been unwilling to get back again Russell Westbrook in any Irving offer. It is unclear if their stance stays unchanged or could change depending on what is received in a potential Durant offer.

A deal with the Phoenix Suns, Durant’s 1st chosen trade spot, was shut down when Deandre Ayton signed an supply sheet with the Indiana Pacers. The Suns matched Ayton’s supply sheet — the greatest in NBA history at four a long time, $133 million — and now cannot trade him to the Pacers for a calendar year or to any group with out his consent. The route to a Durant trade to Phoenix would have wanted to incorporate a indication-and-trade with Ayton.

That mainly leaves the Celtics and 76ers, in accordance to SNY, and the Sixers don’t have beautiful adequate belongings to get a offer carried out. They just can't trade P.J. Tucker, Danuel House or De’Anthony Melton till Jan. 15 for the reason that they all just a short while ago signed contracts when cost-free company started. Brooklyn’s asking price has remained constant: They want an All-Star, effects players and draft compensation to portion methods with a top rated-5 player in the NBA and a person of the more gifted scorers in NBA historical past. Immediately after the Jazz acquired five draft picks, 4 rotation players and a rookie in the Rudy Gobert offer, no crew has been in a position to meet up with Brooklyn’s asking price tag.

If the Nets are unable to strike a offer before long, however, they will operate the danger of muddying schooling camp waters and tanking however a different year right before it begins. Durant has by now designed an nearly not possible environment in Brooklyn, delivering Nets governor Joe Tsai an ultimatum above the weekend: Either trade me or fireplace both GM Sean Marks and head mentor Steve Nash. After the studies of the assembly broke on social media, Tsai responded on Twitter, vouching for individuals Durant needed out.

“Our front business office and coaching personnel have my assist,” he tweeted. “We will make selections in the ideal fascination of the Brooklyn Nets.”

The selection best for the Brooklyn Nets would have been bringing a pleased Durant — and Irving — into coaching camp with a balanced Simmons, but happiness in Brooklyn has lengthy gone for the self-proclaimed Simple Cash Sniper. The News claimed Durant reporting to camp is not a foregone summary if a deal does not get accomplished.

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