Kevin Durant is Acquired by the Suns in a Surprise Trade With the Nets
The Phoenix Suns have reportedly acquired Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029), as well as a 2028 pick swap. This is an absolute shocker to start NBA trade deadline day. Along with Durant, TJ Warren is returning to the Suns.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN both broke the initial news.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has had a fast-paced first 48 hours in charge, and with general manager James Jones’ assistance, he has certainly made a splash. Phoenix had a strong interest in Durant over the summer but was unable to agree to the Nets’ terms in exchange.
After Kyrie Irving was traded to Dallas earlier this week, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks and owner Joe Tsai decided to retool their team, which allowed the Suns to seize the opportunity to sign the 13-time All-Star forward.
Durant is once again lighting up the scoreboard this season, averaging 29.7 points on a scorching 55.9% from the field, including career-best shots from 3-to-10 feet (60.8%) and 10-to-16 feet (60.3%). He should fit in like a glove next to a prolific scorer in Devin Booker and a dynamite table-setter in Chris Paul.
