The Nets are receiving Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, 4 first-round draft picks and a pick swap for Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren in a blockbuster trade with the Suns.
PHOENIX (AP) — According to several sources, the Phoenix Suns pulled off a midnight bombshell on Wednesday by purchasing 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Suns reportedly added Durant to their starting lineup, which already included Deandre Ayton at centre and All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker in the backcourt.
Phoenix traded with the Nets for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four first-round selections, and other draught picks.
T.J. Warren, a forward, is also acquired by the Suns in the transaction.
Sent to Suns:
K. D. Durant
John Warren
Nets acquire:
Bridges, Mikal
Johnson, Cam
4 first-round selections and a 2028 pick for Jae Crowder
With a season average of roughly 30 points per game, the 34-year-old Durant is still performing at a high level. Over the summer, there were trade rumours linking Durant to the Suns, but nothing happened until Wednesday.
After Mat Ishbia, the new Suns majority owner, was revealed in Phoenix just hours before to the deal, The self-described basketball junkie, who played as a walk-on for Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans, wasted no time in upending the NBA.
Phoenix has never captured an NBA title. Two years ago, the Suns advanced to the Finals but fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. In 1993 and 1976, they participated in the Finals as well.
The group of Durant, Paul, Booker, and Ayton seems to restore the franchise’s status as a title contender right away.
This season, the Suns have experienced a number of injuries, but their play has improved recently. With a 30-26 record, they moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference. Paul (hip) and Booker (groyne) have both recently made returns.
Durant injured a ligament in his right knee and is now recovering, but he should return shortly.