TOKYO, JAPAN August 7: Kevin Durant #7 of the United States during the France V USA basketball final for men at the Saitama Super Arena during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
The Celtics’ pursuit of Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Coursins and other NBA players is one of the most intriguing rumors to surface on social media. Although trading for Durant may seem a bit extreme, the team is open to negotiating a trade for the two-time NBA champion. Check out the best new sportsbooks for betting on the NBA!
Trades for Durant are possible. The Celtics have +2500 odds to trade for the four-time scoring champ. Durant stated that he would rather play for the Heat or Suns.
Why not the Celtics? They were just two wins away from topping the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals. Imagine a Boston team featuring Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as well as Marcus Smart, Durant, and Marcus Smart.
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A Boston fan can dream, right? This is fantasy gossip, however. To acquire Durant, the C’s would need to trade Brown, Smart, and multiple future first-round draft selections. It’s not practical, but it’s something that G.M. Brad Stevens might be able to support if it means returning to the NBA Finals.
Additionally, Sam Hauser, a Celtics player, agreed to resign on a $3 million, three-year deal. Hauser’s minimum wage for this contract is $5,658,206. Hauser averaged 2.5 points per game and 1.1 rebounds in 26 games during the 2021-22 season. The team also signed Luke Kornet to a two-year contract.
Signing DeMarcus Cousins for the Celtics is More Logical
However, the Celtics will not trade for Durant if they are unable to do so — given the ridiculous asking price — and will instead pursue DeMarcus Cousins. The team has a shortage of center options heading into the regular season in 2022-23. Al Horford is 36.
Cousins would be a good fit on the roster for Boston’s frontcourt. Cousins to Celtics is a sensible trade, contrary to all other NBA rumors.
Smith explained that Cousins proved he had enough when he supported Nikola Jokic last year. He has a prickly personality, but the Celtics might keep him focused. Cousins’ passing and shooting are great for the frontcourt.
Cousins was a good defensive player, although he is not quite as effective today. He averaged 9.0 points and 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists from the bench in 48 games last season. You could argue that Boston’s defense works fine as it is. In the 2021-22 season, the C’s had the best defensive efficiency rating of any team in the league.
The Celtics should not trade for Durant. Instead, they should sign cheap veterans. They add more value to the team and don’t cause havoc on the existing roster. The postseason is all about team chemistry.
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