Earlier this week, Nick Wright of Fox Sports activities acknowledged that he had heard the Celtics might be involved in buying and selling for Kevin Durant this summer time.
“Two completely unrelated individuals, each of whom have reputations for understanding issues that different individuals do not know, have mentioned to me be careful for Durant in Boston”
— Nick Wright
pic.twitter.com/BbZjqpnvOS
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) March 25, 2025
Nevertheless, even Wright himself admitted that he’s not as related to NBA circles as a few of his friends. Meaning his info is coming from second-hand sources. Given the questionable validity of his declare, we must always take this rumor with a substantial grain of salt.
However in fact, the pot has been stirred. For Celtics followers, it’s unimaginable to not not less than take into account the transfer as a chance—a really scary chance, at that. With new possession lately arriving on the town, issues really feel much more unsure. What if Wright’s “insiders” know one thing we don’t?
If Invoice Chisolm is really contemplating making a blockbuster transfer for Kevin Durant this summer time, he could be sensible to make use of the Phoenix Suns as a cautionary story. Let me take you again.
After narrowly shedding the 2021 NBA Finals, the Suns fell within the Western Convention semifinals in 2022—a substantial disappointment for a 64-18 workforce. However even after that loss, the long run regarded vivid.
Then, Matt Ishbia purchased the Suns. Nearly instantly after taking on in February 2023, he greenlit a commerce for Kevin Durant, sending away a number of core items and a wealth of useful draft picks.
Quick ahead to at this time, and the Suns are in NBA purgatory, determined to dump Kevin Durant. With many of the core that led them to the championship gone, they’re a shell of themselves and are doomed for an entire rebuild.
Photograph by Chris Coduto/Getty Photos
As you recognize, the Celtics are coming off an NBA championship and are primed for an additional deep playoff run this spring. Nevertheless, with the Cavaliers and Thunder rising as formidable threats, the trail to elevating Banner 19 can be something however simple. And whereas it’s unlucky to confess, it’s totally attainable that Boston received’t finish the season as champions.
That’s the place all of this ties collectively. With a brand new proprietor, the looming chance of a disappointing playoff exit, and Kevin Durant wanting out of Phoenix, Invoice Chisolm might fall into the identical entice Matt Ishbia did two years in the past.
The aura round Durant can’t be overstated. When the prospect of buying and selling for a reputation like Kevin Durant comes throughout an proprietor’s desk, it’s understandably laborious to withstand. To not point out, Kevin Durant was reportedly involved in signing with Boston in 2017, earlier than he made his historic transfer to Golden State. However, the fact is completely different. Durant is close to the tip of his profession at 36 years outdated, and he calls for a $51 million wage.
Moreover, in NBA phrases, eight years is a lifetime. For reference, I hadn’t even stepped foot in a center college classroom in 2017. Now, I’m writing this text in my school dorm room.
Even worse, a attainable transfer for Kevin Durant this summer time could be much more pricey than it was for the Suns. The deal would virtually actually require Jaylen Brown to be concerned. Not solely is Brown considerably higher than the gamers Phoenix gave up—Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges—however historical past has proven that buying and selling a 28-year-old star for a 36-year-old one is at all times a mistake. Ahem, Nico Harrison.
Pulling off this commerce would require critical monetary gymnastics as properly. Finally, the Celtics would definitely need to sacrifice extra of their core to accumulate Durant. Boston would discover themselves in a scarily comparable state of affairs to Phoenix; stripped of position gamers, working with two ball-dominant wings, and caught over the second apron. However no matter how they’d make the cash work, the underside line is easy: the Celtics mustn’t make this transfer underneath any circumstances.
Whereas rumors like this may ship followers into full panic mode — and might be very attention-grabbing to debate — current statements from the Celtics ought to put any discuss of an ill-advised blockbuster commerce to relaxation. In a current interview, Wyc Grousbeck—who will allegedly nonetheless have a decision-making position this offseason—acknowledged that the Celtics will intention to get underneath the second apron. Whereas which will imply parting methods with some fan favorites, it additionally gives reassurance that there received’t be a seismic shift within the roster. In different phrases, they need nothing to do with Kevin Durant’s large contract. And, in fact, Boston can at all times belief Brad Stevens’ commerce wizardry.
On the finish of the day, no person ought to put an excessive amount of inventory into this rumor. Nick Wright has lengthy been recognized for his bias in opposition to Boston sports activities—and let’s be sincere, for not being probably the most dependable media member. Followers ought to belief Brad Stevens, Wyc Grousbeck, and the brand new possession group to know that buying and selling for Durant could be a short-sighted and reckless transfer.
