Here's a question.
Let's say that Brad has gotten word from Jaylen that he's had enough of Boston and will move on at the end of his contract in two years.
Who do you we think would be A) obtainable within that timeframe for a Jaylen Brown package; and B) better than Durant, who will be 34 at the start of next season?
Honestly, I'm not thrilled about what this current rumor would do to our window, given KD's age and injury history. How many years of top-10-ish ball does he have left in him? Two, maybe three at absolute best, right? But on the other hand, I'm struggling to come up with guys who I'd prefer over Durant that might become obtainable within the next ~12 months.
You are constructing your whole premise on a hypothetical. How likely to you think it is that Brown or any player, has declared to his team that he absolutely will not resign in 2 years. And that there is no way that player is going to change their mind.
I am in the minority but even if those were the signals I was getting, I would still tell Brown we want you here so we are going to try to make it work. I would also say that there is no guarantee for Brown or any player that they are completely untouchable in trade discussions but that we are going to run this back next season and try to win a title. If you feel the same in a year, we can reassess (both Brown and the Celtics).
But in reality, no player is going to come right out and say this unless Brown wants to be traded now. Yeah, I am going to play out my contract but then hit the market. But if you try to trade me, I will be offended. No, a player would never reveal that unless they wanted to be traded. And if he wants to be traded now, he should be happy to hear there are discussions about Durant.
Now if it has gotten beyond "signals" and Brown and the Celtics have had the come to Jesus meeting where Brown said trade me, that is different. I don't think that is likely, but at that point, I would be happy to get Durant back in the trade, so long as it isn't an overpay. Durant is actually the perfect cover for this. The Celtics can make it seem like they want Durant (who wouldn't) not that Brown has demanded a trade.