Report: Celtics view Tatum as off limits in Durant trade talks

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The Boston Celtics reportedly have engaged the Brooklyn Nets in trade talks centered around superstar forward Kevin Durant, but there's one player the C's have no interest in putting into a potential deal.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported early Monday morning that "the Celtics consider All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum off limits in any trade talks, but Boston is able to construct a package for Durant that could include Brown and as many as three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) -- and two pick swaps (2024 and 2026)."

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Tatum being off limits is far from surprising. 

The 24-year-old forward was selected to the All-NBA first team last season for the first time in his career after averaging career highs with 26.9 points, eight rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He also was voted the Eastern Conference Finals MVP as the Celtics reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

You could make a strong case that Tatum is a top 10 player with the potential to be a top five player for many years. The fact that he made All-NBA first team suggests he's already close to top-five status. 

Durant, even at 33 years old, remains an elite player and arguably the best in the league. He averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game last season. The issue with Durant is durability. He's missed a lot of games due to injury since signing with the Nets in 2019. 

But the idea of a Tatum-Durant combo is an exciting one for Celtics fans. The Celtics also are one of the few teams with a good enough roster where they could make a real offer for Durant and still have the pieces around him needed to be a title contender.

It's important to remember that Durant is signed for the next four years with no team or player options in his contract. The Nets don't need to rush into a deal. They could keep their roster intact going into next season and see if Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons are a good on-court trio. But if the Nets are intent on honoring Durant's trade request, the Celtics are one team Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks should call regularly.

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