Celtics: Kevin Durant wants to play in Boston because of 1 player

Kevin Durant reportedly wants to be traded to the Boston Celtics to play with one player in particular.

The Kevin Durant saga continues, as the star demanded a trade from, the team back on the first day of NBA free agency. Despite this, there was little movement regarding a deal, even with teams expressing interest in acquiring the former two-time NBA Finals MVP.

SNY NBA insider Ian Begley wrote recently that people familiar with the matter say Durant “sees Boston as a desired landing spot.” Additionally, Begley writes that Durant would like to play with Marcus Smart if he were to be traded to Boston, per those familiar with the matter.

Kevin Durant reportedly wants to play with Celtics, Marcus Smart

Smart is coming off of a strong year with the Celtics, as he averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 71 regular-season games. He was named the 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Durant is no stranger to being linked to Boston. Following his trade demand becoming public, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Celtics and Nets engaged in trade talks. The Celtics, per Charania, offered Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a draft pick for Durant, but the Nets said they were looking for a package that included Brown, Smart, draft picks, and “potentially one more rotation player.” This report dropped weeks ago, and obviously, no trade has occurred.

There was an update regarding Durant’s status with the Nets on Aug. 8. According to Charania, Durant met with team owner Joe Tsai and gave him the ultimatum of either trading him, or firing head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks. That report notes that Durant “does not have faith in the team’s direction.”

Shortly after the report dropped, Tsai publicly voiced his support for Brooklyn’s front office and coaching staff on Twitter.

The 2022-23 season is months away, and the NBA world will be wondering if he will be playing for the Nets or another team by that time.