Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown react to reports they could be traded for each other
Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown
© Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports
After the Suns matched DeAndre Ayton's contract offer, and effectively dramatically reduced their chances of trading for Kevin Durant, the market for the Nets forward seemingly died down. It became obvious the Nets had to decrease their appetite, and anyone who knows anything warned of a possible Kawhi to Toronto moment - a team no one is talking about will just pop up with a strong offer. In come the Boston Celtics.
Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant
The only way the Celtics would get a chance to trade for Kevin Durant would be if they would include Jaylen Brown in the deal. But everyone dismissed that scenario because the Celtics have made it clear on more than one occasion that Tatum & Brown are the foundation for years to come. Why break up the tandem that led the team to the Finals?
According to Shams, the "potential mega-deal" is still on the table. The Nets refused the offer of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a draft pick, and made a counter-offer. Well, more of a counter-demand. They reportedly told the Celtics to start any offer with Brown, Smart, a first-round pick, and at least one more rotation player.
After the news broke, both players headlining the deal made their feelings known...well, kind of.
Recommended Articles
KD is on a social media hot streak
If you missed it, Durant recently had a hilarious exchange on Twitter aimed at everyone who constantly measure every little thing he does through the prism of legacy. He asked everyone willing to share - what did they do to add to their legacy that day?
Given the fact there was serious back and forth between the Nets and the Celtics, Durant surely knew about it. Shams broke the news to us, but not to KD. While everyone was trying to figure out the potential trade, Durant replied to Draymond's take on the Warriors vs. the Bulls.
I like the joke and am not surprised that Durant is still salty about the whole pick & roll/isolation vs. movement and ball-sharing thing.
Jaylen Brown's reaction
Brown's reaction is a bit more straightforward, I guess.
I'd say being the centerpiece of a trade package for Kevin Durant is not insulting. But players today take everything personally, so no wonder Brown's reaction is what it is. To be fair, he was the better J in the Finals and has constantly improved since putting on the green jersey.
Still, Tatum was always the favorite child; considered to have a higher ceiling. That's why Brown was always mentioned as the one the C's would use to get a superstar in Boston.
Given his passionate civic activity off the court, and LeBron's recent comments about Boston's racist identity amongst players, maybe Brooklyn is a better environment for Brown. Then there's the contract thing.
