Celtics-Rockets trade pitch sends $90 million ex-Warriors two-time NBA champion star to Boston

Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have no one to blame but themselves for their complex roster situation following their unexpected first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

The 18-time NBA champions were just one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals following their dominant 128-96 victory over Philadelphia in Game 4.

Inexcusably, though, Boston squandered a 3-1 series lead and exited the postseason after only seven games. As a result, the consensus is that the organization will shake things up in the summer before the 2026-27 campaign begins. 

In a former All-Star’s opinion, the Celtics should consider partnering with the Houston Rockets to complete a deal that would land them a former Golden State Warriors two-time NBA champion star. 

“I could see him (Jaylen Brown) in Houston,” Jeff Teague said on the Club 520 podcast Thursday. “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.”

As long as Durant remains in the NBA, he’ll continue to be regarded as one of the best instant-impact, franchise-elevating contributors a championship contender could trade for.

When Durant is in a rhythm and can waltz into one to two dribble pull-ups after a calculated dribble combination on the perimeter, he’s a near-unstoppable scorer. 

The Texas product averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from three-point land with the Rockets this season. Unfortunately for Durant, he was unable to help his team defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in playoff round No. 1, as a left ankle sprain and bone bruise forced him to be a spectator for most of the Rockets’ 4-1 series loss. 

Still, if the Celtics express interest in trading Brown for another high-level wing, Durant would be a respectable option. Of course, it’ll all depend on how Boston feels about the Brown-Jayson Tatum duo from a long-term perspective.

Either way, it’s a fascinating trade scenario to envision in early May.

More NBA news:

• Lakers urged to trade $165 million ex-Mavericks superstar after recent injury concerns

• Warriors-Nuggets trade pitch sends $207 million All-Star, NBA champion to Golden State

• Lakers-Wizards trade pitch sends $186 million 10-time All-Star, NBA champion back to Los Angeles