PHOENIX (AP) — According to ESPN and others, the Phoenix Suns pulled a midnight blockbuster on Wednesday, acquiring 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.
According to the reports, the Suns added Durant to a starting lineup that already includes an All-Star backcourt in Chris Paul and Devin Booker, as well as centre Deandre Ayton. NBC News was unable to confirm the development immediately.
The Suns sent the Nets Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and additional draught compensation.
In the deal, the Suns also get forward T.J. Warren.
Durant, 34, is still performing at an elite level, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. Durant and the Suns were linked to trade rumours throughout the summer, but nothing came to fruition until Wednesday.
The trade comes just hours after the introduction of new Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia in Phoenix. The self-described basketball nut, who was a walk-on for Tom Izzo at Michigan State, didn’t waste any time shaking up the NBA.
Phoenix has never won an NBA title. The Suns reached the NBA Finals two years ago, but were defeated in six games by the Milwaukee Bucks. They also appeared in the championship game in 1976 and 1993.
The quartet of Durant, Paul, Booker, and Ayton appears to have immediately transformed the franchise back into a title contender.
The Suns have been plagued by injuries this season, but have recently improved. With a 30-26 record, they moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference. Both Booker (groyne) and Paul (hip) have recently returned from injury.
Durant is currently recovering from a right knee ligament strain but is expected to return soon.
When Kyrie Irving, a former Nets player, heard the news, he said, “I’m just glad he got out of there.”
The Nets recently traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, where he will team up with Luka Doncic on another top Western Conference team. On Wednesday, Irving scored 24 points in his Mavericks debut against the Clippers.
“We had a lot of conversations about what our futures were going to look like throughout the year,” Irving said. “There was still some uncertainty, but all we cared about was seeing each other thrive. Whether we’re together or apart, there has never been a time when I felt like he was angry at me or I was angry at him for the decisions I’ve made.
“I really enjoy the competition now that we’re in the same conference.”
