Former NBA player Jeff Teague believes that the Boston Celtics will view trading for Kevin Durant as a realistic option to improve their title chances next season. Both Durant and Jaylen Brown are currently in the news for embarrassing first round exits with their respective teams. The Houston Rockets missed Durant for five of the six games due to injury, but his controversial season could see him on the move as well.
Teague revealed that he could see both teams getting tired of each player and making a trade with each other this summer:
“I could see him (Jaylen Brown) in Houston. Trade Kevin Durant for JB, I could see it, I could definitely see it, I don’t like it, but I could definitely see it.”
Teague also claimed that he wouldn’t like the trade since Durant and Jayson Tatum would have to share the court with identical playing styles. Brown is also a natural scorer, but he at least can offer more variety from his presence. Houston and Boston have both been in the news due to rumors of potentially trading Durant and Brown. One trade for each other would be a fitting and fascinating conclusion to these rumors.
Why Rockets Might Trade Kevin Durant
Even if Boston is out of the picture, Houston will likely listen to trade offers for Durant. Reports indicate that no one is untouchable for the right price. However, this means that opposing teams will have to send a younger superstar or better overall player than Durant to impress the Rockets.
Houston could also easily trade Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, or Jabari Smith as younger assets to acquire a bigger name to team with Durant. Either side would require the Rockets to take a huge risk and make an important move to shake up the roster that looked bad at various points this season.
Injured veteran point guard Fred VanVleet will return next season, and that could answer their biggest question mark. Houston reportedly wants to keep Reed Sheppard due to their vision of him becoming a high-impact player with wild comparisons to Steve Nash made in their front office.
Why Celtics Might Trade Jaylen Brown
Brown confused the NBA world by claiming this was his favorite season in the NBA. The logic makes sense that Brown led a team to overachieving as an MVP candidate behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and didn’t need the injured Tatum for most of the season to prove his greatness.
However, it has come off poorly since Brown won the NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP back in 2024. Brown flat out admitted he enjoyed having individual success more than the ultimate team success of winning a ring with him getting the MVP trophy.
Boston having a second consecutive early playoff exit could see them shaking things up by trading Brown for another superstar. Houston would likely have to send another player or future picks with Durant in such a trade since Brown is the younger star. The trade remains unlikely, but Teague believes both front offices would entertain this discussion.
Former NBA Player Pitches Kevin Durant Boston Celtics Trade