I have no idea whether HOU would consider trading Durant or not, but the only way that I could see a deal with BOS working would be if we sent out Paul George. We then would have to take back VanVleet also and maybe send out Hauser. To that, BOS would likely have to add Gonzalez and a first round pick or two.
Durant and VanVleet would likely be an upgrade on Paul George and Sam Hauser, but I am not sure Durant will be any more durable than George. I really don't see why HOU would do this, if they wanted to trade Durant, why not offer him for Brown?
Durant played in 78 games last season. He has been a durable player since the Achilles injury. The reason Houston would not want to trade KD for JB is because Brown has more years on his contract, is making the super max and will be looking to extend it. Durant is not.
Sorry, but I do not see why Houston trades Durant for George. If they have not traded him after his burner scandal, they are not moving him.
There is no fix for this team, especially after Brown trade. I appreciate the positive thread looking for ways to fight for a title, but IMO it is over for this iteration of the Celtics.
My current theory is that the Celtics will tread water until the 2028 pick is conveyed to the Spurs, then they will go into a full rebuild.
If I'm not mistaken, the 2028 scenario is a pick-swap. We could be trading the 23rd pick for the 30th that year, but then we'd have the best of the Sixers/Clips/Spurs 1st rounders per the Brown trade.
In 2029 we owe Portland our 1st for the Jrue trade.
I don't think we're going to tread water for two or three years. I think Brad will trade that pick in the next offseason, along with Paul George, and maybe another 1st and one of our young small forwards for a disgruntled star, or a team that wants to reset.
Or another possibility...
I'm thinking of Evan Mobley or Alperen Şengun.
While the Cavs didn't want Brown this summer (because of his contract) for Mobley, if James Harden falls off a cliff-- or forces a trade-- this year, Cleveland might be interested in this package for Mobley:
-Derrick White
-Sam Hauser
-1st Rounder (which one is TBD)
At that point, maybe Hugo is ready to slide into a starting role (replacing Derrick White).
We'd be pretty loaded in the front court with Mobley, Queta, and Robinson so one of them might get traded for a quality PG.
And we'd still have an expiring Paul George and a future 1st to trade in another deal.
Celtics' Future 1sts2027 Boston's own 1st ✅
2028 Best of Boston/Philadelphia/Clippers 1st / Pick swap involving Spurs ✅
2029 None ❌
2030 Boston's own 1st ✅ Yes
2031 Boston's own 1st + Philadelphia's 1st ✅ ✅