After a quiet weekend, NBA trade speculation and rumors surrounding Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was rekindled on Monday morning with reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Check out the latest trade chatter surrounding Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and other NBA teams.
More:Kevin Durant trade live updates: Brooklyn Nets trade speculation, rumors, news, odds
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Bleacher Report: Teams hopeful Nets’ asking price comes down for Kevin Durant
Jake Fischer wrote: “Interested teams are hopeful Brooklyn may ultimately have to lower its terms depending on Durant’s response come late September, several months following his trade request. There has so far been zero indication he is plotting any type of holdout, but that scenario has been repeatedly mentioned by rival team executives as the one variable that could force Brooklyn to drop its expensive demands.”
Sports Illustrated: Conflicting reports on Suns’ chances to land Kevin Durant
Donnie Druin wrote: “We’ve seen other teams such as the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors throw their hat into the KD ring with no major traction. Judging from the above reports, it appears as if the top three teams to potentially get Durant is some order of Boston, Miami and Phoenix.”
ESPN: Kevin Durant trade request from Brooklyn Nets remains
Adrian Wojnarowski said: “The timeline for a possible deal remains wide open. Well, certainly he has not backed off that trade request he made going on four weeks now. Certainly, Brooklyn has continued to try to find trades for Durant. In a perfect world, the Nets would love to keep Kevin Durant and pair him with Kyrie Irving and see what it all looks like with Ben Simmons next season. But, Kevin Durant, that trade request remains in place and the Nets have tried to find a deal for him. But they want to do the deal they want to do.”
The Ringer: At what price should Celtics trade for Kevin Durant?
Kevin O’Connor wrote: “If I were the Celtics, I would give up Brown in a heartbeat for Durant. Durant is still far and away the superior player, although Brown turns just 26 in October, making him eight years younger than Durant and still offering plenty of upside. For now, KD is a more efficient scorer, a savvier playmaker, and a more impactful defender. It isn’t even close. KD turns 34 later this year but still plays like he was formulated in a basketball lab. The Celtics have an opportunity to win a championship after coming within two wins last year—and pairing Durant with Jayson Tatum brings them closer.”
ESPN: Celtics’ trade offer for Kevin Durant likely weeks old
Brian Windhorst told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM: “I don’t think the Nets are involved in active talks right now. … I know it came out today so it’s front of mind, but those are not fresh talks.
“Right now the Nets’ viewpoint is: If they can’t get their price, they’re going to ride out the storm. … They could start the season with Durant or that could be a negotiating stance.”
Odds: Celtics favored over Warriors, Suns to trade for Kevin Durant
The Boston Celtics are a big favorite to acquire Kevin Durant in a trade, according to the latest odds from OddsChecker. The site has Boston at -200 to be the Brooklyn Nets star’s next team. Golden State is at +350 and Phoenix is at +700. The Miami Heat, at +750, and the Portland Trail Blazers, at +900, round out the odds.
The Athletic: Suns appear to be all but eliminated from Kevin Durant sweepstakes
Shams Charania wrote: “With Ayton currently unable to be traded, the Suns appear to be all but eliminated from the Durant sweepstakes.”
ESPN: Celtics have emerged among teams engaged in talks for Kevin Durant
Adrian Wojnarowski wrote: “The Celtics appear no closer to acquiring Durant than others in discussions with the Nets, but Boston’s ability to include All-Star forward Jaylen Brown as a centerpiece in offers does help make the team formidable in its pursuit, sources said.”
More:If only trading Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns was as simple as it looks on paper
The Athletic: Celtics back in Kevin Durant sweepstakes
Shams Charania wrote: “The Boston Celtics have offered a Jaylen Brown package to the Nets for Kevin Durant, which Brooklyn turned down and countered.”
ESPN: Suns, Heat, Raptors among teams interested in Kevin Durant
Adrian Wojnarowski wrote: “The Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors have been well-known to have varying degrees of interest in Durant, but the Celtics have also been in regular contact with the Nets, sources said. There are no deals believed to have traction for Durant, and no team has yet to reach the significant threshold that the Nets have set to trade one of the league’s most talented players, sources said. The Nets’ posture on a potential trade has been largely unchanged: They want a massive return that potentially includes multiple unprotected first-round picks, pick swaps and impactful players for Durant, sources said.”
More:Kevin Durant trade live updates: Brooklyn Nets speculation, rumors, news, trade reports
Fansided: Suns won’t be deterred by Celtics’ interest in Kevin Durant
Peter O’Keefe wrote: “This latest news won’t deter the Suns, nor most other teams in the league. Boston are likely just doing their due diligence on the 33-year-old, as would any other team given Durant’s stature as one of the best players of all-time.”
SB Nation: Why the Suns should not acquire Kevin Durant
John Voita wrote: “When discussing the Durant scenario, allow me to provide a few counter-arguments. The decision not to sign Kevin Durant is controversial. That I am aware of. You must examine the problem holistically or you will be doing the discourse a disservice.”
More:5 reasons Suns shouldn’t give up on Kevin Durant even after matching $133M offer for Deandre Ayton
CBS News: Kevin Durant’s reputation would take beating if he joined Celtics
Michael Hurley wrote: “The news on Monday, of course, is that the Boston Celtics have entered the running to acquire the 12-time All-Star. While the information smells suspiciously like something that may have been leaked out from the Brooklyn end of things, it’s nevertheless apparent that the Celtics have at least put forth an offer to try to add Durant to the mix in Boston. Simply put, if the Celtics end up making the best offer, Durant should go ahead and rescind that trade request.”
SB Nation: Kevin Durant for Jaylen Brown trade is most realistic deal on market
Ricky O’Donnell wrote: “Why would the Celtics offer Brown up in a trade after coming two wins away from the title last season? Because Boston wants to win the championship, and upgrading from Brown to Durant gives them a better shot at a title. The Celtics’ championship window would be shorter, but it would also be far wider with Durant in tow. The Durant derby is starting to get serious once again. At this point, don’t be surprised by anything.”
More:Could Nets All-Star Kevin Durant’s trade request create ‘ripple effect’ NBA doesn’t want?
Undisputed: Nets are not going to trade Kevin Durant
Skip Bayless said: “KD is going nowhere. You can even do Jayson Tatum + Marcus Smart + Grant Williams and 3 future 1st Round picks, and you still can’t replace The Best Player on the Planet.”
First Things First: Celtics should go all in for Kevin Durant
Chris Broussard said: “Absolutely. But that’s assuming that ‘all in’ means ‘anyone is available except for Jayson Tatum.’ I’m not saying Tatum is better than KD but he’s 24. But everyone else, yes. Bye, Jaylen, Marcus & picks.”
More:Kevin Durant’s history with Devin Booker, Monty Williams make Suns a potential trade spot
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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