Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics
Celtics Could Be Eyeing Blockbuster Wing Swap With Suns Amid Tatum Injury Concerns and Cap Crunch
The Boston Celtics are bracing for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum. The All-Star forward is listed as doubtful due to a bone bruise in his right wrist — an injury described as pain tolerance-based and one that ESPN’s Shams Charania reports will be monitored closely moving forward.
While Boston is confident in its depth and firepower at home — especially with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porziņģis all healthy — the bigger story might be what lies ahead after the postseason. Win or lose, the Celtics could be preparing to make one of the most stunning moves of the summer.
According to ClutchPoints’ Spencer See, the Celtics may revisit a trade idea that nearly happened two summers ago: Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant.
“This trade idea originates from Yahoo Sports’ Ben Rohrbach, where he proposed the Celtics straight-up swap Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant,” See reported. “Curiously, this was the same trade proposal that happened in 2022, when the Brooklyn Nets rejected the Celtics. The original deal involved Boston putting up a package of Brown, Derrick White, and a first-round draft pick.”
But times have changed.
Now, with Boston’s ownership transitioning and the team facing steep financial penalties under the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, tough decisions could be coming. Brown inked a five-year, $285 million supermax deal in 2023 — the richest contract in league history at the time — and despite his importance to the Celtics’ title run this season, the new ownership group may view Kevin Durant as a more fiscally viable and experienced option.
Durant is on a four-year, $194 million deal originally signed with Brooklyn in 2022, and while his time in Phoenix hasn’t yielded much success — two early playoff exits and a disastrous 36-46 finish this year — he remains one of the league’s most efficient and dangerous scorers. In his 18th season, the 15-time All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from deep over 62 games.
For Boston, Durant’s postseason pedigree, elite shot-making, and lower overall cost could make him an attractive alternative to Brown, especially if Tatum continues to be Boston’s long-term alpha. A Tatum-Durant combo could mirror the dynamic success the Warriors had with Durant alongside Stephen Curry.
From Phoenix’s perspective, this could be the franchise’s last chance to shake things up around Devin Booker. Brown brings elite perimeter defense, downhill scoring, and playoff toughness — all things the Suns have sorely lacked. At 27, he also fits a longer competitive window than the 35-year-old Durant.
There’s still plenty of basketball left in Boston’s 2024 playoff run, but don’t be shocked if this summer features a headline-grabbing deal. The Celtics have always been bold — and this time, bold could mean flipping a Finals MVP for one of the game’s most gifted scorers.
Stay tuned.
