The Phoenix Suns are going for it all.
Late overnight, the Suns traded for Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and multiple draft picks, according to multiple reports.
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are nearing a blockbuster trade to acquire Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, sources tell ESPN. Durant wanted move to Suns, and new owner Mat Ishbia pushing to get deal done tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
The move inserts Durant into a lineup with Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton (unless another big trade shakes this up before today’s deadline) and looks to be the sort of necessary deal to put the Suns into championship contention for this year and perhaps for seasons going forward.
Durant is a 13-time All-Star, four-time NBA scoring champ and two-time NBA champ. This season he’s averaging 29.7 points per game but is nursing an injury and isn’t expected to be ready to play for the Suns until after the NBA All-Star break in late February.
The Suns also get T.J. Warren in the deal, who was once traded away by Phoenix for cash considerations.
The trade finally sends Crowder out of the Valley, months after he made it public he wanted out. Many believe the Nets will look to move Crowder again before today’s trading deadline.
Gone are two fan favorites in Bridges and Johnson, two players drafted and developed by the Suns that had become important role players. The Bridges part was reportedly what held up the trade for so long. The Suns were apparently unwilling to give up Bridges last summer when the Durant trade rumors first began. Including him in last night’s deal now brings one of the NBA’s all-time greats to Phoenix, reminiscent of a time in the early 90’s when the Suns gave up a few fan favorites to land Charles Barkley.
