Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca hints Boston was only used by Brooklyn Nets as pressure tactic in Kevin Durant saga

‘A lot of times clubs are trying to create a market to make a trade, and if they say we’re interested, that’s really maybe to get another club to make a trade with them because they think we’re going to take the player,’ said Pagliuca.

The Kevin Durant trade request saga with the Brooklyn Nets roped in Boston Celtics fans this offseason when it was reported that the Celtics had engaged the Nets for Durant around a package centered on star forward Jaylen Brown. There was considerable pushback in the wake of that report from not only fans but also trusted reporters known for their closeness to Boston and even strong hints if not an outright denial from both team president Brad Stevens and head coach Ime Udoka that those talks were never serious.

Now, speaking on a recent episode of WEEI’s “Merloni, Fauria and Mego” show, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca weighed in on the offseason trade rumor kerfuffle.

Asked if he calls Stevens right away when such rumors pop up, Pagliuca replied “I used to call (him) reasonably quickly.”