Could the Celtics end up getting a piece of the Kevin Durant trade themselves?

The Phoenix Suns may have been the ones to land Kevin Durant, but the Boston Celtics could still grab one of the trade chips headed back to Brooklyn.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski in the wee hours of trade deadline day on Thursday, the Nets will now “explore trade scenarios” for Jae Crowder, who was part of the Suns’ package to acquire Durant. Brooklyn sent Durant and T.J. Warren to Phoenix in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Crowder, and four unprotected first round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029). They also swapped their firsts in 2028.

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  PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 27: Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-104. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• So, the Nets are basically in tanking mode now, after Kyrie Irving and now Durant both forced their way out of town. They haven’t been shy about trading with the Celtics in the past. Should the C’s look into adding Crowder to their bench?

  Crowder is now with his EIGHTH team in his career, in the middle of his 10th season, which is typically a sign that said player tends to wear out his welcome. But Crowder remains one of the more productive “3-and-D” specialists in the NBA. He’s averaging 1.9 threes and 1.4 steals per game so far in 2022-23, while starting all 67 games for the Suns.

  What could give the Celtics pause on acquiring Crowder is that they’d be better off getting a forward who can score more, as opposed to a two-way guy with limited offensive capabilities.

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  PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

• They sort of have the “3-and-D” thing covered with Grant Williams, but he has also been the subject of trade rumors. Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens is likely looking at a replacement for the injured Danilo Gallinari, and/or another big man.

  There’s also the possibility that the Nets end up buying Crowder out, leaving him to sign with any team he wants. That would make it easier for the Celtics to facilitate a reunion, but perhaps Crowder would be more interested in signing elsewhere.

  Boston has already lost out on one of its rumored big man targets. Jakob Poeltl went to the Toronto Raptors in an overnight trade. But there are still five hours and change to go until the trade deadline, as of this writing, and Stevens has been aggressive since day 1 leading the C’s front office.

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  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.