The wise old NBA insider atop the mountain has spoken: Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday night that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t trading Kevin Durant before Thursday’s deadline, and personally told him so.

“So far, the Nets have insisted to Durant and inquiring teams that the organization has no intention of moving him prior to Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline,” sources told Woj.

That conversation reportedly came as part of bigger discussions between Durant and the Nets on “the direction of the franchise and its ability to be a championship contender,” as Woj described it. But looking at this situation logically, if Durant isn’t happy with the direction the Nets are heading in, then wouldn’t he WANT to be traded?

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 20: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets disputes a call during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• That’s why this report feels more like the Nets trying to leverage teams into upping their offers to the classic Godfather level – one that they can’t refuse. The Celtics have persistently been reported, even by top insiders like Shams Charania, as a team that has exchanged actual discussions and offers with Brooklyn for Durant.

  But if Durant decides he wants to stay in Brooklyn, and would rather see them become a championship contender than trade him to one, then a deal seems virtually impossible.

  And that’s even as the Celtics would probably have the best possible trade chip (Jaylen Brown) in a Durant trade. But that swap alone would carry some risk in both the short-term and long-term. Durant isn’t even healthy at the moment, and has

  Vaughn says KD got a “really good report” in his checkup with the doctor — but he still hasn’t been cleared for contact. His return date remains unclear.

  — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 7, 2023" rel="noopener" target="_blank">no timetable to return from an MCL sprain.

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets passes the ball as he is pressured by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics in the second quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• That doesn’t mean the Celtics are necessarily going to stand pat at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. If President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens is willing to even entertain trading Brown for Durant, then he’s almost certainly working on potential deals to add depth at areas of need, like a scoring wing off the bench or a depth big man.

  But time is running out for Stevens to make a move. The 2023 NBA trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. We’ll keep you updated on the Celtics’ deadline dealings here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

• Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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