If you like the Boston Celtics just as they are, we have some good news for you.
After Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets two weeks ago, there was some speculation that Boston could enter the KD sweepstakes. After all, the Celtics were one of the frontrunners to land Durant back in 2016 free agency, and they're one of the few teams that could put together a trade package that might entice Brooklyn if star wing Jaylen Brown is involved.
According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, however, a Durant-to-Boston trade appears highly unlikely.
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"Jaylen Brown makes sense in theory as the centerpiece of a Durant megadeal, and the Celtics have to be wary of Brown's unrestricted free agency in two years," Lowe wrote in a column Friday. "But there have been no substantive talks about such a deal, sources say."
Lowe's report shouldn't surprise Celtics fans. It's enticing to think of a Durant-Jayson Tatum duo, which arguably would be the best pairing in the NBA and make the Celtics instant title favorites. But the Celtics already are title favorites with their current roster, which includes a young core of Tatum, Brown, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams that's under contract through at least 2024 in addition to a revamped supporting cast led by Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Gallinari and Derrick White.
While Durant is one of the greatest players of his generation, he'll also turn 34 in September, and the C's proved he was human by containing him in a first-round playoff sweep of the Nets.
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It would be unwise for Boston to mortgage its future (Brooklyn almost certainly would ask for multiple first-round picks) to land Durant when it currently boasts a roster that should compete for a championship for at least the next two seasons.
The C's still should monitor the Durant sweepstakes, though: If a team like the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors puts together a massive trade package for Durant, then the Nets may have to waive one of the players they acquire, presenting an opportunity for Boston to add depth if it's the right fit.
But as things stand now, don't expect the Celtics to break up the Jays for Durant's sake.