stretch wrote:as someone posted in cblog a while back, they asked Durant in his chat if there's any chance he'd ever play for the Celtics, and Durant replied "no chance at all" and separately, he replied to something else that he'd definitely not be coming to boston
(since then I've been thinking Wade as well)
That almost rules it out. If anything Durant has been so firm that he wants to stay in Oklahoma City at least for another 3-5 years. People don't get that. Of all the big names that become free agents in the next two years, Durant's is the least likely to change teams.
See, I didn't read it that way or interpret it in the same way as most Boston fans might. What do you expect a star player to say publicly (if he should have had even commented on that this early) considering he's still under contract? I expect him to speak highly of his situation and express a loyalty to the franchise which drafted him for the time being. You don't want to place yourself nor the franchise in an awkward position by professing that you indeed have an openness to sign with this or that franchise when your free agency period approaches. Because it informs everyone that there exist the idea that you'll test free agency (I know, you do so regardless because you don't limit yourself) and that you're putting your current franchise on notice: Expect to pay me. Hence, it'll be too soon to send out those messages to the media. With that said, Durant did the "right thing" here. Still, as a fan, I never rule out the possibility that a star player changes his mind. I mean you're supposed to keep your options open, and never turn down entirely all possibilities.
Personally, I believe Ainge remains a fan of Durant and will have an eye on him when his free agent class is upon us. In my opinion, Durant makes more sense here. Pierce is an aging scorer for Boston and Durant immediately fills that role with Pierce possibly in a backup role by then. That is, Pierce could defer his starting position to a younger player if that player's Durant. Durant prolongs Pierce's career, not hinder it.
