NEW YORK — A new team has joined the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, and it’s the same team that pried away another Nets superstar.
After acquiring James Harden in a Ben Simmons swap last season, the Philadelphia 76ers have joined the pursuit of the 12-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, who reported there are “high-ranking members of the Sixers who’ve felt strongly about engaging with Brooklyn on a Durant trade.”
The SNY report, however, noted the Boston Celtics as Durant’s current preferred trade destination and added an additional tidbit: Durant wants to play with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart if he’s moved to Boston. The Nets reportedly rejected Boston’s trade offer of All-Star wing Jaylen Brown, reserve guard Derrick White and a first-round pick, then countered, asking the Celtics to include Smart, an additional rotation player and additional draft compensation.
