(Basketball news) In a shock NBA trade line move, Kevin Durant transferred to the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade deal. After three tumultuous years and a second trade request in eight months, the Brooklyn Nets finally decided to trade All-NBA forward Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for a package which includes Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected future first-round picks. In a deal that landed in the late-night hours ahead of the trade deadline. Durant and T.J. Warren was shifted to the Suns for a massive haul of first-round draft picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) and a 2028 pick swap.
The Suns appeared to be shifting their focus toward a three-way deal that might’ve landed them Atlanta’s John Collins but Thursday morning, new owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones texted Nets GM Sean Marks who had already cobbled together the final elements of an historic trade. The deal means that Durant gets to partner with Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, forming one of the deadliest trio in the league. For Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden all arrived to conquer the NBA together, and all left by requesting a trade away from the Nets franchise as they played a total of 16 games together only.
In another blocks]bluster trade deal, Los Angeles Lakers agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz and acquire the services of point guard D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team, eight-player trade according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The Lakers will also get Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the trade, while the Timberwolves receive guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and few picks.
In addition to Westbrook, the Jazz will also receive Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a 2027 Lakers first-round pick that will be top-four protected. If the Lakers’ pick to the Jazz is not conveyed in 2027 then it falls into the top four as the pick immediately converts to a 2027 second-round pick. The additions of Russell, Beasley and Vanderbilt will bolster the Lakers team as they bid to jump-start their sputtering season. The Lakers currently boast a record of 25-30 and they sit in 13th place in the 15-team Western Conference. Russell and Beasley should help the Lakers in 3-point field goal percentage as the former Laker D’Angelo Russell, is averaging 17.9 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 46.5% from the field, including 39.1% from 3-point range.
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