Nearly a month after Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Nets, a new team has emerged as a potential landing spot for the 12-time All-Star.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Celtics are among the teams engaged in trade talks to potentially acquire Durant.
As it currently stands, the Celtics are "no closer" to acquiring Durant than other teams in talks with the Nets, but Boston's ability to include All-Star forward Jaylen Brown in a potential deal has helped the Celtics strengthen their pursuit, according to Wojnarowski.
Boston has limited Jayson Tatum in trade talks, but would be able to craft a package centered around Brown that could include three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) and two pick swaps (2024 and 2026).
Such a structured deal could meet Brooklyn's asking price of multiple first-round picks, pick swaps and established NBA players.
In a separate report from Shams Charnier of The Athletic, the Celtics offered the Nets a package that included Jaylen Brown, reserve guard Derrick White and a draft pick.
The Nets rejected that trade, and asked if any Celtics offer included Brown, point guard Marcus Smart, multiple picks and potentially one more rotation player.
Durant, 33, has four years and about $200 million left on his contract. Brown has two years and $56 million remaining on his current contract with the Celtics.
Boston now reportedly joins a few teams that could be considered serious suitors for Durant. The Heat, Suns and Raptors are also reportedly in talks with the Nets on a potential deal for the future Hall of Fame forward.
Durant's trade request came amid the team's reluctance to sign All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to a supermax contract. Irving had the possibility of opting out of his $36 million player option this season to test free agency, but he instead opted out of his contract with Brooklyn.