Bringing Durant to Boston

[Devizier]

Recognizing immediately that this is very unlikely, it still seems like a focus of the Celtics' offseason will be recruiting Kevin Durant to play in Boston. Early reports have Durant presenting a list of demands that the team will need to satisfy before coming here. True or not, it's entirely reasonable that he would want at least some assurances that the team could bring in established talent to contend immediately.

How would you accomplish this? Clearly, such an approach would require a mix of trades and free agency signings. I'm curious to see what the board can come up with. Bonus points for creativity.

 

[nighthob]

Well, given Harden's previous opining on the subject, I have a sneaking suspicion that he's part of what Durant wants. It's also why I expect my Rockets to hold on to him as part of a full court press on Durant. But if landing Durant is the prize, and the Rockets are willing, I'd spare no expense on the trade. And if Morey is looking to next summer anyway, then Boston could get the Rockets contracts like Lil' Zeke and Crowder that will simplify things for them a little. The question would be what else you had to add to make it work, Smart and #3 being the top. Bradley and Rozier work well if Harden's the primary SG, and there are lots of depth guys to be had in the 13-45 range, so whatever you need to clear off the top of the roster to make it work is worth it.

 

[moondog80]

Well, given Harden's previous opining on the subject, I have a sneaking suspicion that he's part of what Durant wants. It's also why I expect my Rockets to hold on to him as part of a full court press on Durant. But if landing Durant is the prize, and the Rockets are willing, I'd spare no expense on the trade. And if Morey is looking to next summer anyway, then Boston could get the Rockets contracts like Lil' Zeke and Crowder that will simplify things for them a little. The question would be what else you had to add to make it work, Smart and #3 being the top. Bradley and Rozier work well if Harden's the primary SG, and there are lots of depth guys to be had in the 13-45 range, so whatever you need to clear off the top of the roster to make it work is worth it.

Is D'Antoni powerful enough where they had to promise him they'd keep Harden in order for him to take the job?

 

[nighthob]

I doubt it, I suspect that Houston was probably the only team interested in retreading him. But the D'Antoni hire is also why I think that Plan A for Morey is to use Harden to recruit Durant and demonstrate that they're committed to a fun brand of offensive basketball (which is part of Boston's pitch too, obviously).

EDIT: Nearly forgot, if Durant re-ups for a year, then Houston might be more amenable to a midseason retooling next year, especially with the much stronger 2017 draft and Brooklyn being dead in the water.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Don't think Boston has any realistic shot. I wonder if Danny gains anything by using alleged pursuit of Durant as a sort of smokescreen to hide what he is really trying to do.

 

[Pxer]

I really don't like maxing Horford for several years, but I don't see a scenario where Horford isn't part of the puzzle of bringing Durant to Boston. I think IT is worth trading if you can bring in 2 stars with him and unloading the Brooklyn picks and Smart. In that scenario, I don't think there's a trade that can bring back a traditional point guard, however.

You could look at trading Brooklyn picks + Smart for Cousins. I don't think a lineup of Cousins/Crowder/Bradley/IT is enough to get Durant to come along for the ride, when money is factored in. I think you'd look to re-sign ET in that scenario. Unfortunately, it's going to be very tough to construct a team that can make it to the ECF in the next two years while still holding on to a few of the Brooklyn picks.

 

[nighthob]

Money isn't really factored in. Durant isn't signing a four or five year deal this summer, it's going to be a one + one so that he can re-max next summer. Money is also a lot less important to someone like Durant than to someone like Harrison Barnes (because he has so much money coming in from endorsement deals that the contract difference per year is a drop in the bucket), what you need to sell him is a chance to contend and a fit for his game. Stevens' offense is tailor made for him, the contender part is a little trickier.

 

[Kliq]

I think if Durant is going to leave OKC than Boston has as good of a chance at landing him as anyone. With that being said I just don't see Durant leaving OKC. I have no real evidence to back this up, but the guy just seems really loyal to the organization and his teammates. He always defended Scotty Brooks, Westbrook, constantly raved about the role players he played with. It would be one thing if OKC was a terrible team that Durant was keeping afloat but a few made shots here and there and OKC could be in the finals right now. Even if they are a flawed team, OKC is guaranteed to be a contender every year as long as Durant stays and I don't think you really give that up unless you absolutely have to.

 

[The Social Chair]

It's a long shot because Boston would need to trade for a Butler quality player first. Durant + other FA (Horford?) don't consider Boston if there's not already an elite player on the team.

 

[DourDoerr]

If it involves trading the Brooklyn picks to get a star to pair with (and of course this is all very unlikely) Durant, I'm not on board. Sure the Celtics pulled off a championship contender (and winner) when they were able to bring together Pierce, KG and RA, but I think the equation's changed this time around. The Warriors core is about to enter/is in its prime and should be around for a while as is OKC's (if they can retain them). Behind those two, it seems a good bet that Minny will be in the conversation and they're even younger. Cleveland will be relevant as long as LBJ can play at his high level but I wouldn't bet against a decline soon due to age.

The C's big three hit the league when the other contenders were only a bit younger as the Lakers and Spurs were veteran teams that had matured. Also, the C's had an established all around All-Star in PP to begin the process which the C's (apologies to IT) don't have right now. On top of that, the C's simply didn't have the prospect of 3 very high picks within the next 3 years. I'd rather get very young and aim to be championship contenders as the other teams age out with perhaps Minny maturing as the strongest Western contender. I don't see another team in the East positioned for a run 4-5 years from now except perhaps Philly if they get their act together and figure out trades to create a very young, cohesive roster.

Of course there's the unknown of injuries to established stars changing some of these present contenders' circumstances, but I just like the long game here. 3 high picks in 3 years (although there's no guarantee) while at the same time being able to field a playoff team is an almost - if not - unprecedented situation. Trading Nets picks for, say, a Cousins doesn't do it for me. The clock starts too soon and it doesn't seem a good bet to run that clock out the same time as the W's and company. Now, if you're able to trade a Brooklyn pick for a young star that still hasn't entered his prime, then I'm on board, but those players just don't become available.

Look at OKC. They just lost to that W's core and if you're bringing in Durant, you're then committing to getting together a roster as good as - if not better - than the Thunder's present top-heavy roster. And fast. I trust Danny but that's asking an awful lot.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I don't get this mindset. If you can trade the Nets picks for Player X (Cousins, Butler, etc.) sign Player Y (Horford), and that gets you Durant, why the hell wouldn't you be in favor of that? There will always be some elite teams to compete with but it would be absolutely foolish to pass on a scenario to bring in a first ballot HOFer at age 28. Durant is going to be an elite player for another 6-8 years. Get him and you basically have a decade window to win it all.

I would absolutely gut the pick stash for a Durant scenario. What if NJ surprises next year and that pick is closer to 10-15? Certainly possible.

 

[Pxer]

Not to mention, the Celtics have some very team-friendly contracts that they could (should?) be capitalizing on at the moment.

 

[Kliq]

I get that the picks have tons of value, but what players coming out in the next two or three years have the potential to be as good as Durant? Since Durant came out I think only two guys (Davis and Towns) have been real slam-dunk "This guy is going to be a 10x all-star" type picks, so at the most there is going to be one or two guys. Then you are counting on the Celtics getting lucky enough in the lottery to get one of those players. As BigSoxFan said, if the reward is flipping the picks to get an all-star and then one of the three best players in the NBA, I do that every single time.

 

[snowmanny]

I don't get this mindset. If you can trade the Nets picks for Player X (Cousins, Butler, etc.) sign Player Y (Horford), and that gets you Durant, why the hell wouldn't you be in favor of that? There will always be some elite teams to compete with but it would be absolutely foolish to pass on a scenario to bring in a first ballot HOFer at age 28. Durant is going to be an elite player for another 6-8 years. Get him and you basically have a decade window to win it all.

I would absolutely gut the pick stash for a Durant scenario. What if NJ surprises next year and that pick is closer to 10-15? Certainly possible.

Right. I'd bet (a lot) of even money that the Celtics team you're envisioning would make The Finals at least once in the next three years. Given how difficult it is to build a contender in the NBA and how hard it is to get past Lebron you've got to make that move......if it's (miraculously) possible.

 

[RedOctober3829]

If true, this would indicate KD is thinking about signing a long-term deal this offseason.

Sources around the league say Durant's choice is not that simple.

"He is not the kind of guy who wants to fiddle around in free agency and sort of play the system that way," said one source who has worked with Durant. "That is not his personality. He likes stability and it is kind of a gamble to be taking a short contract and then trying to come back and do it all over again in a year. That's the other thing. He is not someone who wants to go through this twice, I really don't think. It's no sure thing."

That’s a common theme around the league, the notion that Durant wants to make a decision now, ensure his security and not have to worry about being a free agent again until he is in his 30s. During the Thunder’s end-of-season media session, Durant told reporters he has no interest in a high-profile free agency tour: “That’s not who I am. I’m not that type of person.”

It’s worth remembering, too, that at this time last year, there was speculation around several players, suggesting they would take one-year deals before cashing in on the influx of television money that is driving up the salary cap this summer. LaMarcus Aldridge was one, and it was estimated that he would have made about $60 million more had he stayed with Portland and waited a year before signing. Instead, Aldridge took San Antonio’s four-year, $80 million offer.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-oklahoma-city-thunder-golden-state-warriors/yqj5bjia4zm81if434uqcvwbb

 

[fenwaypa'k]

I think the likeliest scenario is that Durant is using his 2016 free agency to set up his 2017 free agency. The incentives, both personal and financial, overwhelmingly favor Durant signing a 1+1 deal with OKC, which would align his free agency with that of Westbrook and Ibaka. I fully expect that is what he will do this summer.

Nevertheless, I think it's interesting that Durant seems to have clearly expressed a desire to go out and meet with certain teams in free agency (and that apparently his representatives already have). My intuition tells me that part of the reason Durant wants to meet with other teams is to set up his 2017 free agency. Putting together a super team takes planning. Indeed, the Lebron-Wade-Bosh superteam in Miami is rumored to have been in the works for years before it was executed. Free agency affords Durant the opportunity to meet with front offices to discuss their plans and for him to express his preferences without the league tampering rules that would otherwise inhibit such frank discussions.

That is not entirely a bad thing for Boston. In a lot of ways, Boston would be better off waiting until 2017 to put its championship contender together. The 2017 free agent class and draft class are rumored to be better. The cap will be going up even higher. The Celtics draft assets will have matured.

I guess my point is that even if Durant does not come to Boston this summer (and I think there is very little chance he does), Boston's meeting with him, if they get one, could nonetheless be really important.

 

[Erik Hanson's Hook]

If it involves trading the Brooklyn picks to get a star to pair with (and of course this is all very unlikely) Durant, I'm not on board. Sure the Celtics pulled off a championship contender (and winner) when they were able to bring together Pierce, KG and RA, but I think the equation's changed this time around. The Warriors core is about to enter/is in its prime and should be around for a while as is OKC's (if they can retain them). Behind those two, it seems a good bet that Minny will be in the conversation and they're even younger. Cleveland will be relevant as long as LBJ can play at his high level but I wouldn't bet against a decline soon due to age.

The C's big three hit the league when the other contenders were only a bit younger as the Lakers and Spurs were veteran teams that had matured. Also, the C's had an established all around All-Star in PP to begin the process which the C's (apologies to IT) don't have right now. On top of that, the C's simply didn't have the prospect of 3 very high picks within the next 3 years. I'd rather get very young and aim to be championship contenders as the other teams age out with perhaps Minny maturing as the strongest Western contender. I don't see another team in the East positioned for a run 4-5 years from now except perhaps Philly if they get their act together and figure out trades to create a very young, cohesive roster.

Of course there's the unknown of injuries to established stars changing some of these present contenders' circumstances, but I just like the long game here. 3 high picks in 3 years (although there's no guarantee) while at the same time being able to field a playoff team is an almost - if not - unprecedented situation. Trading Nets picks for, say, a Cousins doesn't do it for me. The clock starts too soon and it doesn't seem a good bet to run that clock out the same time as the W's and company. Now, if you're able to trade a Brooklyn pick for a young star that still hasn't entered his prime, then I'm on board, but those players just don't become available.

Look at OKC. They just lost to that W's core and if you're bringing in Durant, you're then committing to getting together a roster as good as - if not better - than the Thunder's present top-heavy roster. And fast. I trust Danny but that's asking an awful lot.

This is where I'm at. The next great Celtics team isn't 1-2 years from now. It's 3-5 years from now. Let your your chips ride, and wait for Curry, Lebron, et al to get old.

 

[BigSoxFan]

This is where I'm at. The next great Celtics team isn't 1-2 years from now. It's 3-5 years from now. Let your your chips ride, and wait for Curry, Lebron, et al to get old.

How do you know the next great team is 3-5 years from now? You're banking on the Nets picks landing impact players when that is far from a certainty. The Cavs are not some insurmountable juggernaut. And the Warriors are in the other conference. I don't know how anyone could pass up a Durant scenario where he comes with 1-2 other all-star calibre players.

 

[Erik Hanson's Hook]

How do you know the next great team is 3-5 years from now? You're banking on the Nets picks landing impact players when that is far from a certainty. The Cavs are not some insurmountable juggernaut. And the Warriors are in the other conference. I don't know how anyone could pass up a Durant scenario where he comes with 1-2 other all-star calibre players.

Don't get me wrong - I would absolutely take KD. But I don't think KD + Horford gets it done (chip-wise), and it would mortgage the future on top of that.

There has to be some gem in college that is yet to rise, either this year or next year. Our version of Steph?

I could get down with @nighthob's Harden/Durant scenario, but that's a pipe dream because Houston is still (it thinks) contending.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Don't get me wrong - I would absolutely take KD. But I don't think KD + Horford gets it done (chip-wise), and it would mortgage the future on top of that.

There has to be some gem in college that is yet to rise, either this year or next year. Our version of Steph?

I could get down with @nighthob's Harden/Durant scenario, but that's a pipe dream because Houston is still (it thinks) contending.

But it wouldn't be Durant + Horford. It would be Durant, Horford, and another impact player using the 2016-2018 draft picks (not all, obviously) as the bait. That's a plan that would be very plausible if Durant were actually serious about Boston. Celtics have room to sign 2 max guys. And they have the picks to trade for another one. We could have as many as 8 first rounders in the next 4 years.

If nothing bites this year, then I don't mind Ainge just biding his time but Durant is certainly a guy I move all my chips to the middle if he actually becomes available.

 

[nighthob]

Don't get me wrong - I would absolutely take KD. But I don't think KD + Horford gets it done (chip-wise), and it would mortgage the future on top of that.

If signing Horford would bring Durant then Boston wouldn't be mortgaging anything. (I'm not saying that Horford's enough, just pointing out that both guys are UFAs and cost nothing but cap space.)

 

[DJnVa]

Don't get me wrong - I would absolutely take KD. But I don't think KD + Horford gets it done (chip-wise), and it would mortgage the future on top of that.

KD + Horford cost no chips and would mortgage nothing.

 

[tbrep]

If it involves trading the Brooklyn picks to get a star to pair with (and of course this is all very unlikely) Durant, I'm not on board. Sure the Celtics pulled off a championship contender (and winner) when they were able to bring together Pierce, KG and RA, but I think the equation's changed this time around. The Warriors core is about to enter/is in its prime and should be around for a while as is OKC's (if they can retain them). Behind those two, it seems a good bet that Minny will be in the conversation and they're even younger. Cleveland will be relevant as long as LBJ can play at his high level but I wouldn't bet against a decline soon due to age.

So you'd pass on having a team with a future first-ballot HOFer (and one of the greatest scorers of all time), another All-Star and IT in order to preserve 3 Brooklyn picks (one of which is no. 3 in a two-player draft and the other two of which may not even be top 3)? That's just crazy.

And to even momentarily think about Minnesota (a lottery team in another conference) when making these decisions is even more crazy!

 

[DourDoerr]

Let me walk back my earlier post a bit - I did a poor job and rushed out the post without looking up a thing or two and that's always a bad idea. I agree with most of the sentiments here - if I could get KD and Cousins for the picks, yes, I'd do it (basically Cousins for the picks and KD as a FA). I get that. I lost track of how young Cousins is and while his games played the last 2 years - 59, 65 respectively - are a concern, he's a great young player about to enter his prime.

Years ago here there was a lot of back and forth here on how the C's should treat their assets pre-KG and RA. One example was several people wanted to trade Al Jefferson, etc. for Allen Iverson to get Pierce a running mate. This wasn't hard to argue against and I and several posters did, making the argument that the assets had value and you continue to develop them until you get the right player to pull the trigger on and AI wasn't it. Obviously, KG was the right player - even though he was 3 years older compared to KD - and one knew it was going to be a pretty short window (and it was). That was fine though because the quality of the C's assets wasn't that great - 5th pick of the draft, Al Jefferson, etc.

This time around the value of the C's assets - or at least the potential value of those assets - is much higher. Yes, we have the 3rd pick in a 2 player draft, but it's still a very high pick and the team should at the least get a good player from either the draft or in trade. The next 2 Nets picks are gambles, of course, but they're high risk, high reward - and it's very rare for a playoff team to be in a position to enter the draft with the chance to add an elite talent free of charge, let alone 3 times.

Like KG, KD is a player you spend those assets on, but I'd only do it if the complementary player can also anchor a fairly long run. I'm hoping to watch a team that'll be really good for a generation and this franchise has a unique opportunity to perhaps draft their way there. I'd be very very conservative with those picks and the player/players I'd spend them on. And I wouldn't be surprised if Stevens' extension signals that Danny is fully prepared to wait it out.

 

[DourDoerr]

And to even momentarily think about Minnesota (a lottery team in another conference) when making these decisions is even more crazy!

Well, I don't think you can make decisions in a vacuum. I think you need to survey the landscape and see where the team you're building will stand within the league in the future. Someone has to win in the west 5 years from now. I don't think it's too crazy to speculate it might be a team that currently has 2 of the best young players in the league, along with the benefit of another lottery pick. On top of which, they'll mature as other currently better teams age out. It might not be Minny - there's never any certainty and 5 years is a long time - but there's not too many teams with a better head start.

 

[Erik Hanson's Hook]

KD + Horford cost no chips and would mortgage nothing.

You're absolutely right, as they would be free agent signings and not trades. Total brainfart by me.

You guys have convinced me. I'm in.

edit: also what @nighthob said.

double edit: all this talk has made me nostalgic for this, one of the greatest NBA spots of all time (along with the "Live Forever" one)

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

You're absolutely right, as they would be free agent signings and not trades. Total brainfart by me.

You guys have convinced me. I'm in.

edit: also what @nighthob said.

double edit: all this talk has made me nostalgic for this, one of the greatest NBA spots of all time (along with the "Live Forever" one)

This clip is a flame and I, its moth.

Boston isn't a completely crazy destination for KD for two reasons. With the right complimentary players, KD could be convinced that the Celtics offer him the best shot to make it to the finals over the next three to four years. LeBron is getting older and the other contenders in the East, at present, lack the depth needed to make the push to the top. Durant has to be at least a little frustrated with how competitive the WC is, especially if this flawed Cavs team folds early against Golden State.

The other thing that might appeal to Durant is the tradition aspect and the shot to lead the return of an iconic NBA franchise to championship contender status (the Lakers or Knicks fall into this category but they are both well behind Boston in their respective rebuilds).

The only other places where he can cement a leader-of-the-team-to-the-championship legacy near-term is in OKC or maybe Portland but the talent laden WC continues to be an issue in terms of reaching the finals. All the other potential destinations may offer him a better shot near-term but they also will come with a price. In places like San Antonio or Golden State, he would not be "the guy" leading the charge - he would be just another cog in the machine. Nobody here knows KD but I suspect Ainge & CO will trot out the big guns if they get the sense that KD doesn't simply want to jump on someone else's coattails on the way to the finals. If both a shot at a ring and legacy are important, Boston can potentially give him the best opportunity at both. This is what I would try to sell to Durant (along with some potential running mates) to lure him to the Celtics.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Agreed. The overwhelming odds are with him staying in OKC for at least another year but if he really is serious about exploring his options, there aren't many better options than the Celtics, a franchise with a great history, passionate fans, great leadership from the owners all the way down to the coach, a nice roster of capable supporting cast types, tons of cap space, and tons of picks to make quick roster improvements for impact players.

Additionally, as has been mentioned, the EC is incredibly weak and looks to be short on elite teams for the foreseeable future. Cavs will obviously be a formidable foe but LeBron turns 32 in December and Irving/Love are flawed defenders. Love especially does not figure to age well. Outside of the Cavs, the Raptors are a nice squad but eminently beatable if KD and 1-2 more impact players comes on board. The Heat are old and Bosh may be done. The Pacers will have a hard time surrounding George with enough talent. Ditto for the Pistons and Drummond. The Bulls are stuck in neutral. The Knicks are going to have a Melo albatross soon. The Hawks and Hornets are short on elite talent and won't be able to acquire it.

If Durant and another all-star talent comes on board, the Celtics will be a 1-2 seed in the East for the next 4-5 years. Really sucks that we didn't get a top 2 pick. Would have really helped our chance of getting that sidekick piece in a Durant scenario.