Why The Boston Celtics Do The Deal

There is very little nuance to Boston’s thought process here. They’re landing Kevin Durant. Nothing else matters.

Yes, splitting up a young star duo that just made a Finals appearance stings. It shouldn’t sting so hard that they’d hesitate to land one of the 15 or so best players in the history of the NBA.

Ask yourself this question: if the Celtics had Durant in 2021-22 instead of Brown and White, would they have won the NBA championship? If it feels to you like the answer is probably yes, you’re not alone. Realistically, no other justification is required here.

If negotiations do hinge on Marcus Smart and draft capital, Boston should be more generous with the latter.

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics Pursuing Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant Trade

Smart is a vital cog in their system, and in landing Durant, they’re in win-now mode. Retaining the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is more critical than holding onto future draft assets.

After all, if they end up missing them down the road, they may have the memory of a recent NBA title to comfort them.