An already deep Western Conference was jolted by a seismic shift late Wednesday night.
The Phoenix Suns are acquiring star forward Kevin Durant in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report.
Phoenix is sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round draft picks and a 2028 pick swap to Brooklyn, according to multiple reports. The picks, in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, are unprotected.
The Suns also reportedly get forward T.J. Warren in the deal.
Durant requested a trade last summer with Phoenix as one of his preferred destinations, but he rescinded that request and started the season alongside Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons in Brooklyn. In less than a week, the Nets have now parted with both Irving – who requested a trade late last week and was dealt to Dallas on Sunday – and Durant.
Mat Ishbia was confirmed as the Suns’ new majority owner by the NBA Board of Governors on Monday night and he reportedly pushed to get a trade done with Thursday’s noon PT NBA trade deadline fast approaching.
The Suns (30-26) finished Wednesday in fifth place in the Western Conference and they surrendered some depth in this deal, but with Durant joining a now-healthy Devin Booker, point guard Chris Paul and big man Deandre Ayton, oddsmakers are already installing them as a favorite to represent the West in the NBA Finals.
After the Nets traded Irving to the Mavericks, Durant reportedly had been engaged in conversations with Nets owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks on the direction of the franchise and its ability to be a championship contender.
On Tuesday, the Nets had reportedly insisted to Durant and inquiring teams that the organization had no intention of moving him prior this season, with many then expecting a deal would occur during the summer.
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Durant, who is currently out with an MCL sprain in his right knee, is reportedly expected to be ready to return after the All-Star break.
Durant, 34, is in the first year of a four-year, $194 million extension he signed in August 2021 when the Nets had a trio of Durant, Irving and James Harden. Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a package that sent Simmons to Brooklyn at last year’s trade deadline.
Durant attended the Nets’ loss to the Clippers on Monday night in Brooklyn but did not speak to reporters on his way out of the Barclays Center.
Crowder has not played this season after requesting a trade in the offseason and could be a candidate to be part of an additional deal before the deadline.
The Suns have never won an NBA title, though they reached the NBA Finals two seasons ago, losing to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.