In a recent segment on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped a bombshell, suggesting a “very good chance” that Kevin Durant could be traded before the NBA Draft on June 25, 2025. For Boston Celtics fans, this news stirs a mix of intrigue and skepticism, as the prospect of landing the four-time scoring champion and future Hall of Famer is tantalizing but fraught with complications.
The Phoenix Suns, Durant’s current team, and the Celtics are both hamstrung by their positions above the NBA’s second apron, a salary cap threshold that imposes strict trade restrictions. Neither team can aggregate salaries or take back more money than they send out, making a direct trade between them nearly impossible. For Boston, dipping below the second apron could theoretically open a path to join a multi-team deal as a third party, but the Suns would likely demand 2025 draft compensation for Durant—a steep price for a team already facing roster constraints.
Could the Celtics somehow bring Durant to Boston? The cost would almost certainly be Jaylen Brown, a scenario that doesn’t sit well when you break it down. Brown, entering his age-29 season, is coming off a minor knee surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp. Durant, on the other hand, turns 37 in September and carries a history of significant injuries, including a torn Achilles. While he’s defied the odds with remarkable durability and a return to superstar form since that injury, his age, injury risks, and expiring contract make him a gamble Boston can’t afford.
“I think there’s a very good chance that Kevin Durant is traded before the NBA Draft..
Giannis is in the process of figuring out exactly what he wants to do” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/qNcVNPoeZj pic.twitter.com/0sQ3qY6SVc
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 11, 2025
The Celtics’ untouchable cornerstone, Jayson Tatum, is also navigating his own recovery, which could sideline him for much of the 2025–26 season. Durant’s resilience post-Achilles offers an encouraging parallel, but trading Brown for Durant would leave Boston vulnerable, especially given Tatum’s uncertain timeline. The combination of Durant’s age, injury concerns, and contract status doesn’t justify sacrificing a younger, proven star like Brown, who’s integral to the team’s long-term vision.
Boston has flirted with Durant before—whether chasing him in the 2007 draft lottery or wooing him in 2016 before he joined Golden State. Yet, as exciting as it would be to see Durant don Celtics green, the realities of roster construction, salary cap rules, and team priorities make this an unlikely summer for a blockbuster move. The hidden truth is clear: the Celtics’ interest in Durant, while tempting, doesn’t align with their championship blueprint. They’re better off building around Tatum and Brown than chasing a fading star, no matter how brightly he still shines.