Not long after the Oklahoma City Thunder had been eliminated from the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors, Boston’s Isaiah Thomas put up a simple tweet: Kevin Durant’s number 35 next to a green shamrock. A couple minutes later, he thought better of the timing and took it down.
But he’s not backing away from the sentiment: Thomas wants to recruit Durant to the Celtics.
Speaking with Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Thomas said he’s going after the biggest free agent this summer and trying to bring him to Boston.“I definitely want to give him some time,” Thomas said. “I know that was a tough series and a long season for him. I wouldn’t want anyone calling me up about the biggest decision of my life right after the season’s over. So I’ll probably give him some time and casually talk to him, and then go all-in....
“I mean, do everything I can to get him to sign, somehow, someway, hopefully,” Thomas said.
If Durant does entertain offers from other teams — no sure thing — his phone is going to never stop buzzing for a month. There are 29 other teams that want to talk to Durant if he opens that door (the conventional wisdom is he will remain in OKC, at least for a year, but that is no sure thing).
Durant on the Celtics would change the dynamics in the East. It is a franchise with a well-respected coach who has the team buying into his system. They have a lot of quality role players (and upcoming picks), but they lack a true star. Durant alone on that roster likely is not enough to beat Cleveland in a series, but get Durant and you can turn some of those assets GM Danny Ainge has been hoarding into other key pieces. The Celtics would quickly contend.
If you’re a Boston fan, you have to love that Thomas is committed and trying. But until KD starts seriously listening to those calls, it’s all moot.
