The NBA got a major shakeup just before the trade deadline as Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Kevin Durant would be traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns. The move has a seismic impact around the league that affects more than just Brooklyn and Phoenix. More moves by Brooklyn are expected to follow before today’s trade deadline at 2 PM Central.
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
Kevin Durant traded for Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, and more
The trade package for Durant includes a bevy of draft capital and young players. The Phoenix Suns are sending first-round picks in the 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029 drafts to the Nets. Notably, those picks are not lottery protected.
Phoenix is also sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder to Brooklyn in the deal. Bridges, the 26-year-old Small Forward, has started 56 games this season for the Suns, averaging 17.2 points. He looks to be an integral piece in an upcoming Nets rebuild along with Johnson. Johnson missed a large sum of the season with a knee injury but has flourished when on the court. In 17 games, he has averaged 13.9 points in 25.2 minutes.
Jae Crowder trade – will we see another?
Shortly after the dust appeared to settle from the Kevin Durant trade, Wojnarwoski reported another piece of news surrounding Jae Crowder. The disgruntled power forward was sent to Brooklyn as part of the package the Nets received from Phoenix.
The Nets are expected to explore trade scenarios for Jae Crowder ahead of today's 3 PM ET deadline, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
Wojnarowski reported that the Brooklyn Nets “are expected to explore trade scenarios for Jae Crowder” ahead of the imminent NBA trade deadline. Trade rumors for Crowder have been swirling for months after he and the Suns agreed that he would sit out following disagreements over his role on the team. The Milwaukee Bucks have often been mentioned as a candidate to land Crowder in such a deal. Milwaukee has yet to make a move ahead of the deadline.
Kevin Durant joins Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton
Kevin Durant now joins a Phoenix Suns team that is just two years removed from an NBA Finals appearance. With the core of that Finals team still intact, Durant joins the likes of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton as the Suns attempt to win an NBA championship.
Phoenix currently sits in fifth place in the NBA Western Conference – 8.5 games behind the first-place Nuggets. Phoenix is four games behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies.
Kyrie Irving and the downfall of the Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving’s request for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets precipitated this next move. In less than one week, the Nets have traded away both Irving and Durant. With the Nets in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and just 2.5 games back of third place, such a turn of events was unthinkable just a short while ago.
Trading Kevin Durant seemingly puts the nail in the coffin for what was supposed to be a superteam at worst and a dynasty at best in Brooklyn. In the Summer of 2019, the Nets acquired Irving and Durant. In January 2021, Brooklyn acquired James Harden only to trade him away the following season. Now, all three of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden are gone. The Nets only have one playoff series win between the summer of 2019 and now to show for it.
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