Could Kevin Durant Finally Be Heading to Boston? The 9-Year Journey to a Potential Celtics Reunion
Nine years ago, the Boston Celtics came tantalizingly close to landing one of the NBA’s biggest superstars, Kevin Durant. In the summer of 2016, Durant, who was then in the prime of his career, was set to make one of the most significant decisions of his career. After an incredible run with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was a perennial MVP candidate and led his team to the NBA Finals, Durant was looking for a fresh start. Many teams, including the Celtics, had their eyes on him. The Celtics, under then-General Manager Danny Ainge, thought they were the perfect destination for Durant.
In one of the boldest and most ambitious moves in recent NBA history, Ainge orchestrated a high-profile recruiting pitch in The Hamptons, a ritzy vacation spot for many elite athletes. Along with Ainge, a star-studded entourage traveled to the Hamptons, including two of Boston’s most beloved sports icons—NFL legend Tom Brady and baseball legend David Ortiz. These Boston sports figures were more than just public faces; they were symbols of the city’s championship culture and winning pedigree. Their involvement was meant to give Durant a sense of the support and legacy he could embrace by choosing Boston. The goal was clear: convince Durant that Boston could offer him not just a basketball team but a chance to become part of an iconic sports city.
At the time, the Celtics were already building something promising. With a talented roster, including All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas and young, rising star Jayson Tatum, Boston had a strong case. However, there was an added element that gave the Celtics even more leverage: the recent signing of Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks. Horford, a respected veteran and a close friend of Durant, was a key piece in Boston’s pitch. The hope was that Durant would see Horford as a familiar face who could help ease his transition to a new team, and that their chemistry on the court could prove invaluable. In Ainge’s eyes, the Celtics had a perfect blend of talent, leadership, and stability to offer Durant.
Despite this, Durant shocked the basketball world when he chose to join the Golden State Warriors, a decision that would forever change the NBA landscape. He opted to sign with a Warriors team that was already coming off an NBA championship and boasted an embarrassment of riches, including two of the best shooters in NBA history in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Durant’s decision to join Golden State and form a Superteam alongside the Splash Brothers was met with mixed reactions—many applauded his move for ensuring championships, while others criticized it as a weak decision. However, it was undeniable that Durant’s decision led to one of the most dominant dynasties the NBA has ever seen, as the Warriors went on to win two more championships during Durant’s tenure.
As Durant flourished in Golden State, the Celtics went through their own transformation. The franchise slowly began to regain its footing in the Eastern Conference, led by the young stars of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics’ rebuilding project was slow but steady, with a focus on developing young talent and surrounding Tatum and Brown with complementary pieces. The addition of key players such as Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and later Kemba Walker helped elevate Boston to legitimate contender status. But, despite the promise and potential of the young Celtics squad, the ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship remained elusive for years.
Fast forward to today, and the Celtics are now considered one of the top contenders in the league. The duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has blossomed into one of the best pairings in basketball, earning All-Star selections and leading Boston to the 2022 NBA Finals. Despite falling short against the Warriors in that Finals series, the Celtics have firmly established themselves as one of the league’s elite teams. The franchise’s ability to develop young talent, make shrewd acquisitions, and maintain a championship-level roster has positioned them as a force in the Eastern Conference.
But the one glaring hole in the Celtics’ roster is the lack of a true third superstar, a player who can take over in clutch moments and help carry the team to its next title. And while Tatum and Brown are undoubtedly among the league’s best, the Celtics have been in search of that final piece to complement their All-Star duo. Could that missing piece be none other than Kevin Durant himself?
In the aftermath of the Celtics’ recent successes, the possibility of Durant coming to Boston has gained more traction. In particular, the recent comments made by Nick Wright on First Things First have fueled speculation about a potential reunion between Durant and the Celtics. Wright, who is known for his insight into NBA rumors, dropped a bombshell during a recent segment when he stated that two highly reputable sources had told him to “watch out for Durant in Boston.” The cryptic nature of this revelation has sparked a flurry of excitement among Celtics fans and NBA insiders alike.
Could this be the moment when Durant finally fulfills the promise made nine years ago? Could he return to the Celtics and give them the final piece needed to bring another banner to Boston? The implications of such a move would be seismic not only for the Celtics but for the entire NBA. The thought of Durant, Tatum, and Brown teaming up in Boston would create one of the most formidable trios in recent NBA history, on par with the big three Durant has enjoyed with both the Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant’s potential fit with the Celtics is intriguing for several reasons. First and foremost, his scoring ability would give Boston a lethal weapon to pair alongside Tatum and Brown. Durant is one of the most efficient and prolific scorers the NBA has ever seen, and his ability to take over games in clutch moments would provide the Celtics with the championship pedigree they need to make a serious run for a title. The trio of Durant, Tatum, and Brown could be one of the most dangerous in the NBA, combining scoring, defense, and versatility in a way that few teams can match.
Furthermore, Durant’s experience playing on multiple championship-caliber teams would provide invaluable leadership for the young Celtics core. Tatum and Brown are still in the prime of their careers, but Durant’s knowledge of the pressure of playoff basketball and the grind of a championship run would help elevate them to new heights. Durant has been to the NBA Finals multiple times and has the ability to perform under the brightest lights, something that would serve the Celtics well in their quest for another title.
However, bringing Durant to Boston would not be without its challenges. The Celtics would likely need to make significant moves to accommodate Durant’s salary and roster spot. Additionally, with Durant’s age (he’s now 35 years old) and injury history, there are valid concerns about his ability to stay healthy over the course of a full season and throughout a grueling playoff run. But if anyone is capable of managing these risks, it’s Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who has shown a remarkable ability to navigate roster construction and make shrewd moves to improve the team.
With new ownership under Bill Chisolm, the Celtics’ commitment to winning is clearer than ever. Chisolm, who has already shown his willingness to spend money and make bold moves, could be the driving force behind bringing Durant to Boston. Chisolm has made it known that he wants to bring more banners to Boston, and securing Durant could be the way to make that goal a reality.
As the rumors surrounding Durant’s potential move to Boston continue to swirl, one thing is certain: the Celtics are in a prime position to make a championship run in the near future. Whether or not Durant will be the missing piece remains to be seen, but the idea of him joining forces with Tatum and Brown is enough to send waves through the NBA. If Durant does decide to bring his talents to Boston, the Celtics could find themselves once again on the cusp of NBA dominance. For Celtics fans, the hope of another championship banner hanging in TD Garden just got a whole lot brighter.
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