One of the biggest names in the NBA who will likely be traded this offseason is Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. Not only have the Suns not gone anywhere the past two seasons, but they are projected to be above the NBA's second tax apron for the third straight year.
Because the Suns will want to get under that tax apron and their current core doesn't work, it's widely expected Durant will be on a new team by the start of the next season.
Could the Boston Celtics, who are also expected to make significant changes, be in play for Durant?
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7).
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7).
© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Near the end of the regular season, FS1's Nick Wright floated Boston as a potential Durant suitor. The Celtics are also above the NBA's second tax apron, and there's been plenty of reports revealing their intentions to get under it. Boston could pull off a Durant trade while getting under the second apron, but there would be many moving parts.
Because of this, the Arizona Republic's Duane Ranking shut down any notion of Durant potentially coming to Boston while talking with CLNS Media's A. Sherrod Blakely. When asked if he can see Durant coming to Boston, Rankin had a clear answer.
"I can't because the Suns are over the second apron," Rankin said. "Both of them. You can't aggregate people... I mean, if it happens, it would be crazy, but I just can't see it."
Durant will make $54.7 million next season. The Suns will likely make a deal involving Durant on the contingency that the trade itself will get them under the NBA's second tax apron.
The only way the Celtics can make a trade for Durant while getting under the NBA's second tax apron is to trade out more contracts than the ones they would match for him in a deal. It would be quite the challenge for all sides involved, making it unlikely.