The Brooklyn Nets allegedly made a monster trade by sending star player Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, according to what Shams Charania has learned from the network The Athletic.
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
In return, the Nets get their hands on Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder four first-round picks as well as other compensatory picks.
According ESPNthe picks would be unprotected and would be the picks of 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029. Adrian Wojnarowski adds that TJ Warren will follow Durant to Phoenix in the trade.
Durant thus joins an elite core in Phoenix, with Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
Thirteen times star player in his career, Durant will join the fourth organization of his career. After starting his career with the Supersonics (which became the Oklahoma City Thunder the following year), Durant also played for the Golden State Warriors and the Nets.
This season Durant is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 39 games. He is currently out with a knee ligament injury.
The 34-year-old still has three seasons and $153 million left on his contract following this campaign. In 978 NBA games, Durant averaged over 27 points.
During the offseason, rumors were high of Durant’s possible trade to the Suns, which ultimately did not happen.
Bridges is 26 years old and has averaged 17.2 points per game in 56 games with the Suns this season. He has spent his entire career with Phoenix so far.
For his part, Johnson has averaged 13.9 points per game this season, he who is 26 years old.
On Sunday, the Nets also cut ties with Kyrie Irving by trading him to the Dallas Mavericks.