NBA news: Kevin Durant Celtics trade possible in summer – report

There is a chance that OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant will sign with the Boston Celtics once free agency hits, according to a report.

Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and is considered one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason. The two-time scoring champion has been linked with several teams like the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. But according to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Saenz, the Celtics is one team that “probably makes the most sense”.

“The Celtics have young assets, so they could theoretically work a sign-and-trade with the Thunder, a solid group of players that could easily transform into a great supporting cast and one of the hottest young coaches in the NBA,” Saenz wrote.

Chris Forsberg of ESPN also believes the Celtics are in position to fish top talented players like Durant once the free agent market opens. Forsberg claimed that Boston would be an intriguing destination for KD, “who might benefit from simply escaping a bloodthirsty Western Conference that’s compounded his quest for a championship”.

Despite lacking a superstar in recent years, the Celtics were able to turn around their franchise after signing quality players. This season, they are poised to make a playoff run with the team set to finish within the top six of the Eastern Conference.

If the Celtics reaches the NBA Finals this year, or finish close to an appearance, the 17-time NBA champs could be one of the few teams that has a legitimate chance to lure Durant, who is looking to join a championship-caliber team.

"When you get an opportunity to choose your environment, you want to be stable, you always want to have good people around you, and you always want to work with great people," Durant said, reports the Boston Globe. “Sometimes with your spirit and your energy, you can dictate your environment for yourself, and I think I have that ability to improve wherever I go."