By now, fans of the Boston Celtics are getting used to the pattern: a lull in chatter about disgruntled Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant settles in, the Celtics are inevitably mentioned as having been or being potential trade partners, Boston leaks a denial talks were ever serious, and the cycle begins again.
Whether you believe one set of leaks versus another likely reveals our personal biases as much as anything else, but as of Monday morning, a new article by The Athletic’s Shams Charania has kicked off yet a new phase of leaks and counter-leaks, with a new team added to the mix.
That team would be the Memphis Grizzlies, who have entered the previously reported conversations that are or are not serious depending on who is doing the leaking.
It looks as if some preventative work is being done to strengthen Williams to protect him from future injuries as well. https://t.co/1tXtqcENTQ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 22, 2022
Per Charania, the Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat “remain among the most serious threats to land Durant because they have the types of pieces necessary to satisfy the Nets’ asking price” — though none have shown any inclination to do so as of yet.
The Athletic NBA insider reiterated his source’s claim that Boston did indeed make a serious offer for KD a day after a Celtics-adjacent source suggested the opposite, and other teams like the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks were described as having made offers as well.
The league recently announced plans to retire Russell’s No. 6 jersey across the league to honor the Celtics great, but some players are excepted. https://t.co/bKjWeRJSyA
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 22, 2022
“None of those conversations gained much traction, admits Charania, but perhaps a new team entering the mix will spark some life in the moribund cycle of quasi-news.
“Fresh off a 56-win season, the Grizzlies have made new inquiries to the Nets about Durant,” relates The Athletic analyst. “Memphis has five first-round draft picks available (four unprotected selections of its own and one protected via Golden State in 2024) to utilize in a trade as well as young players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Kennedy Chandler, and David Roddy.”
This tells us little about how motivated the Grizzlies might actually be to make a deal, but the NBA insider isn’t quite done with Memphis just yet.
Why trading for mercurial Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant might be a step back for the Boston Celtics https://t.co/OnyI0QFYts
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 22, 2022
But, Charania shares that the “Grizzlies, so far, do not appear inclined to include Jackson or Bane in a potential offer for Durant,” instead prefer “a package built around their bevy of draft picks.”
So the Celtics are out, then? Not according to Charania, who writes that “Boston has the necessary pieces and Brooklyn has listened, but a gap exists,” with the Celtics disinterested in dealing Marcus Smart or Robert Williams III.
Former Boston Celtics wing Ricky Davis to reportedly be next head coach of Minnesota North https://t.co/pXAcSsD2w5
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 22, 2022
What does all of this mean for Boston getting involved? Quite probably nothing at all, at least that is new, based on what we are reading.
Talks likely happened, how serious they were is likely being filtered through the lenses of sources with an agenda, and what that agenda is likely resonates with what we each believe is the wisest course of action.
Until ye olde “talks are heating up/gaining traction/intensifying” reports bubble up (if they ever do), it’s probably safe to return to the rest of the NBA offseason news cycle.
One prominent ESPN writer wants to see changes to how extensions work in the league. https://t.co/K5AWxlmLp1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 22, 2022
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