The Big Lead

The Brooklyn Nets stupidly declined a generational trade back in 2022

Keeping Kevin Durant clearly didn't work out too well for Brooklyn.

By Matt Reed

Jan 22, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks to pass the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Reece Beekman (4) and Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (20) defend during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks to pass the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Reece Beekman (4) and Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (20) defend during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images
facebooktwitter

The NBA world was sent into a frenzy this season when the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks engaged in one of the biggest, and arguably strangest, trades the league has ever seen. While Luka Doncic was sent to LA to pair up with LeBron James and Co., Anthony Davis moved to the Mavericks in a move that simply stunned the NBA community.

RELATED: NBA fans react to Carmelo Anthony reaching the Hall of Fame

However, if we back up just a few years there was another seismic trade that nearly went down that would've garnered just as much attention, if not more, because of the superstars involved.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on the The Pat McAfee Show this week that back in 2022 the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics were engaged in trade talks centered around Kevin Durant going to Boston and a package of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a first-round pick landing in Brooklyn.

While the NBA insider was quick to point out that the Nets turned this offer down, in hindsight it looks like a terrible decision from Brooklyn's brass because of how good Brown has turned out to be on a championship-winning Celtics team.

Meanwhile, Durant isn't even on the Nets any longer, and following the failed experiment in Brooklyn the team also lost out on superstars like Kyrie Irving and James Harden when they both left as well.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) high fives forward Jayson Tatum (0) after the Cleveland Cavaliers called timeout
Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) high fives forward Jayson Tatum (0) after the Cleveland Cavaliers called a timeout during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images / Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Obviously the Nets were snake-bitten by Boston years ago when the team made a splash to bring in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in exchange for first-round picks that turned into All-Stars Brown and Jayson Tatum.

MORE TOP STORIES from The Big Lead
NFL: NFL Mock Draft Consensus 16.0: Could Browns pass on Abdul Carter?
MLB: Who are the highest paid MLB managers? New contract for 2025 breaks previous record
NBA: Carmelo Anthony reveals the surprising NBA team he wants to purchase
CBB: Top collegiate NIL earners over the past year
SPORTS MEDIA: Livvy Dunne goes preppy schoolgirl, Paul Skenes rocks gym teacher fit in GQ
VIRAL: Pirates closer Dennis Santana goes viral for wearing shorts on mound

Home/NBA