The clock barely struck 12am, on February 9th, and both Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski proceeded to break NBA Twitter into complete shambles with breaking news. Kevin Durant has been traded to the Phoenix Suns.
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are closing in on a trade to acquire 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
The Phoenix Suns, with new owner Mat Ishbia leading the way, has aided in pulling the trigger for the biggest acquisition in Suns history. The price they paid was quite hefty as they sent out the following pieces to Brooklyn in exchange for Kevin Durant.
The Suns are sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, a 2028 pick swap for Durant and TJ Warren, sources tell ESPN. Durant wanted move and new owner Mat Ishbia pushed to get deal done tonight. https://t.co/fqFUMIDllo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
Nets gets unprotected picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
Brooklyn received a few quality players in Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder. Crowder, who has not played all year for the Suns, has finally had his trade request pushed through. In addition to the three players, the Nets will also receive FOUR unprotected first round picks. That in INCREDIBLE value that Brooklyn is getting back in this deal. However, for the near future, the Brooklyn Nets could be in shambles. Rafael Stone, the current Rockets GM, is sitting pretty now as the Rockets hold 2024 and 2026 firsts in addition to additional swap rights. If everything goes to plan, the Rockets hold EXTREMELY valuable picks that could be used in the draft or trades in the near future.
Kevin Durant ▶️ Phoenix Suns. pic.twitter.com/QhLdYk7CF8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
Kudos to the Suns as they have pushed all the metaphorical chips onto to the table and now have a possibility at a championship this season the big 4 of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and new acquired Kevin Durant will be absolutely deadly. Also they will have the freedom to spend a little on a vet minimum player if they see a player that intrigues them. Does this give Russell Westbrook an option to reunite with KD in Phoenix? Who knows but the NBA has gotten a lot more interesting and the league has been put on notice.
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