Boston Celtics Now Seen As Most Likely Landing Spot For Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant doubled down on his trade request via a meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai in London in which he said he either wants to be dealt or he wants Tsai to fire GM Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash.

Tsai responded by backing his guys, Tweeting that Marks and Nash “have my support.”

So now it appears more likely than ever that Brooklyn will have to trade their superstar to end this increasingly messy stalemate, but the Nets also may have to come down in their asking price since everyone around the league can read the cards.

And per betonline.ag, the Celtics are now seen as the most likely landing spot (-175) for Durant, ahead of the Suns, Warriors and Raptors.

In 25-year-old forward Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have already offered the best centerpiece and The Athletic’s Shams Charania called a deal for Brown “viable.” Derrick White, the Celtics’ 28-year-old guard, has also reportedly been linked to a Durant deal, along with multiple first-round picks.

The Celtics have reportedly been reluctant to include 23-year-old forward Grant Williams in any deal. They also don’t want to trade Robert Williams or Marcus Smart.

Still, Boston appears like the most likely suitor now that several other teams appear out of the mix. Toronto doesn’t want to include Scottie Barnes in a deal. Phoenix has to wait until Jan. 15 to deal Deandre Ayton after he signed an extension. And the Heat either don’t have what it will take, or may be scared off by Durant’s tactics, depending on who you listen to.

When you consider what the Nets had to give up for James Harden when they acquired him from the Rockets, Brooklyn should expect to get a huge haul for Durant, who is objectively better than Harden.

In the trade, the Nets send center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince to Cleveland, and guard Caris LeVert and forward Rodions Kurucs, as well as three first round draft picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and four first round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027) to Houston. That’s a total of seven draft assets.

But with Durant having doubled down, he is putting pressure on the Nets to trade him. And now it may be even harder for Brooklyn to get anything close to equal value in return.