The Kevin Durant Era in Brooklyn has come to an abrupt end, leaving basketball fans in shock. The Brooklyn Nets traded the veteran superstar to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Cam Johnson, Mikael Bridges, Jae Crowder, four first-round draft selections, and other additional picks.
This stunning trade came just two days after the Nets traded their other franchise star, Kyrie Irving, to the Dallas Mavericks in another massive trade, effectively putting an end to the once-promising Durant-Irving era in Brooklyn.
Durant and Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 free agency and were expected to lead the team to greatness.
However, despite their star power, the duo only managed to lead the Nets to a single postseason series win against the Boston Celtics in 2021. The Nets also traded significant future assets to acquire James Harden in the 2020-21 season, but he was eventually sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in another big-time trade that sent Ben Simmons to Brooklyn.
The Nets are trading Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for a package including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/fJoFHv3i7M
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
While fans were still trying to make sense of the Durant trade, another blockbuster trade was announced just hours before. The Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utah Jazz agreed to a three-way trade, where the Lakers acquired D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley.
Utah received veteran guard Russell Westbrook, the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, Damian Jones, and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Minnesota, on the other hand, landed Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and draft picks.
The Suns are trading Jae Crowder to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
Kevin Durant had requested a trade from Brooklyn last offseason, but he ultimately decided to return to the organization for at least the start of the season.
He now joins a star-studded Phoenix Suns team, led by Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul. The Suns are two years removed from their trip to the NBA Finals, and the acquisition of the 2014 league MVP is expected to push them over the top and bring them back to the Finals.
In conclusion, the recent trades have shaken the NBA and have left basketball fans in a state of excitement and anticipation. The acquisition of Kevin Durant by the Phoenix Suns has set the stage for a thrilling season and has basketball fans eagerly waiting to see how the team will perform.
The acquisition of the 2014 league MVP might just be the missing piece that the Suns need to return to the NBA Finals and claim the championship title.
