In a revelation that reignited one of the most intriguing “what-ifs” in recent NBA history, Shams Charania shared on The Pat McAfee Show that the Boston Celtics made a serious push to land Kevin Durant during the summer of 2022.
According to Charania, the Celtics offered a package centered around Jaylen Brown, along with Derrick White and a first-round pick, in exchange for the two-time Finals MVP. The Brooklyn Nets, however, declined the offer.
"There was a lot of mutual interest between Kevin Durant and the Celtics in the summer of 2022 when he asked for a trade."
"And I know right now you probably hate me saying this, they offered Jaylen Brown, they offered Derek White, they offered a first round pick. Brooklyn had said no and they kept him and then they ultimately traded him for a haul from Phoenix."
Durant had requested a trade from the Nets after a turbulent 2021-22 season that ended in a disappointing first-round sweep at the hands of the Celtics. Despite several teams showing interest — including Phoenix, Miami, and Boston — the Nets chose to keep Durant through the summer, believing they could contend with him and Kyrie Irving still on the roster.
But the situation deteriorated quickly. By the 2023 trade deadline, Kyrie Irving forced his way out to Dallas, and Durant followed shortly after, requesting a trade once again.
This time, the Nets obliged, sending Durant to the Phoenix Suns for a massive haul: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap. It was one of the biggest trades in NBA history, both in names and assets moved.
As for the Celtics, missing out on Durant may have felt like a loss at the time, but in hindsight, it might have been the best thing that never happened. Jaylen Brown, who was the centerpiece of the Celtics' proposed offer, has since blossomed into a franchise cornerstone.
He earned his first All-NBA selection during the 2022-23 season and played a pivotal role in Boston’s championship run in 2024 — where he was named NBA Finals MVP after a dominant two-way performance against the Dallas Mavericks.
Derrick White, the second major piece in the offer, has also become irreplaceable for Boston. With his elite defense, timely shooting, and steady playmaking, White has been one of the league’s most underrated guards and a perfect complement to Boston’s star duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Had the Celtics landed Durant, the short-term championship window may have opened wider — but it would have come at the cost of long-term stability. Durant, 34 at the time, brought undeniable superstar impact but also came with durability concerns.
Meanwhile, Brown and White were entering their primes and growing into elite contributors on a team that already had the infrastructure to win.
In hindsight, missing out on Durant was not a failure — it was a fortunate pivot. The Celtics maintained their depth, cohesion, and long-term sustainability, something a win-now move for Durant may have sacrificed.
Yet here we are in 2025, and Durant is once again being linked to the Celtics. With the Phoenix Suns reportedly open to exploring their future amid injuries and playoff uncertainty, Durant's name has resurfaced in trade talks — and Boston is rumored to be back in the mix.
One potential idea making waves is a mega-trade that would see Boston part with three of their core players in exchange for Durant.
It's a proposition that carries both high reward and significant risk. Durant is still a generational talent and can elevate a contender overnight, but he's now 36, with a recent history of injuries.
Boston, meanwhile, already boasts one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the league. Would adding Durant give them another title shot, or would it disrupt a winning formula?
Time will tell if this long-running connection between KD and the Celtics finally materializes. But if 2022 was the road not taken, 2025 may offer Boston one last opportunity to choose it — this time, with very different stakes.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us onGoogle News. We appreciate your support.