USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after being called for a technical foul by referee Ed Malloy (14) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after being called for a technical foul by referee Ed Malloy (14) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Former MVP Kevin Durant is still one of the best players in the league. Even though he might not be his MVP self, he can definitely help any team in the league. And likely change them into contenders. So teams have been circling around Durant this offseason.
Especially with his future with the Brooklyn Nets hanging in the balance. And the Boston Celtics have long been interested in the services of KD. However, the demands of the Nets proved to be a roadblock.
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It was reported that the Nets demanded Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart along with a few other players for Kevin Durant. However, new reports suggest that the Nets initially tried to acquire both the superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for KD.
Which the Celtics rejected. But the fans are stunned by the preposterous attempt by the Nets. Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
Nets looking for revenge from 15 years ago when Boston dumped their old vets on them.
— Let's Go BStro (@brandonstro) August 10, 2022
Ironic considering they were Brooklyn’s picks before the KG-Pierce trade
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) August 10, 2022
This is basic door-in-the-face negotiating technique.
You ask for both Tatum and Brown, knowing that the Celtics will turn it down.
Then, asking for just Brown doesn’t seem like as big of a request by comparison.
— Guru (@DrGuru_) August 10, 2022
I dont think the nets understand that kd is old and wants to go to a team that he’s playing with other stars. If u trade him to a tatumless and non jaylen brown team he has nobody. Same goes for Phoenix, the nets want booker but kd wants to play with booker they don’t understand
— Jesse Kirschner (@miggycabs24) August 10, 2022
They just mad because they got fleeced by the Celtics so they tryna get them back 😂
— Pacman072286🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴 (@Pacman072286) August 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/Neilj32/status/1557489364648824834?s=20&t=fZt0772bEQV1yRHtBfyzqg
One fan commented that the Nets looking for revenge because the Boston Celtics dumped their veterans on them. The fan is talking about the blockbuster deal of 2013 between the Nets and the Celtics.
Are the Nets trading away Kevin Durant for revenge?
After the Nets’ return to the NBA in 2012, there was a lot of excitement. In their second season, the team gambled and went for aging superstars from the Celtics. The Brooklyn Nets received Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and DJ White. And the Celtics got Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, and Keith Bogans along with 3 first-round picks and a pick swap.
The 2016 first-round pick was Jaylen Brown and the 2017 first-round pick was Jayson Tatum. Fast forward to 2022, Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to their first NBA Finals in a decade. Furthermore, they comfortably swept Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Nets in the very first round.
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Ironically, the Celtics last made the Finals in 2010 with Pierce and Garnett. However, it has taken the Celtics some time to develop the young prospects into superstars. While the Nets might not be lurking around for revenge, their fans will definitely enjoy it if they land Brown and Tatum.
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The situation of Kevin Durant on the other hand is not ideal. Reports suggest that KD wanted the owner to either trade him away or fire head coach Steve Nash. Earlier there were reports suggesting Durant’s fallout with Kyrie Irving after he was seen with James Harden. Only last year, Harden left the Nets for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Will we see Kevin Durant in a Boston Celtics jersey next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
