The Brooklyn Nets made a shocking decision on Thursday morning regarding superstar forward Kevin Durant, who appears to be on his way to the Phoenix Suns in a monumental trade.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Suns are trading Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and additional draft compensation to the Nets for Durant.
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
The Suns are trading Jae Crowder to the Nets as part of the Kevin Durant deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
This comes just four days after the Nets decided to trade star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks after he requested a trade from the organization.
Irving’s trade request seems to have ultimately launched a full-on fire sale in Brooklyn. Many are completely shocked to see them abandon an asset like Durant after they previously stated that there were “no plans” to move Durant before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Nets move back to New Jersey.
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) February 9, 2023
Brooklyn Nets fandom 2019 – 2023
— David Futernick (@davidfuternick) February 9, 2023
In less than one year the Nets traded Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. All three players wanted out. That's a wrap for the Nets.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) February 9, 2023
Cam Thomas now that Kyrie and KD are gone https://t.co/Dt139XtYRd
— Old NBA Tweets (@oldnbatweetz) February 9, 2023
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are able to keep DeAndre Ayton in this trade, who was rumored to be on the move this past offseason when rumors swirled about Kevin Durant potentially being traded to Phoenix.
NBA fans took to social media after this trade to express just how much of a powerhouse the Suns are on paper after this unbelievable trade.
They kept Ayton and Booker and still got KD? Wow
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) February 9, 2023
If you thought Suns fans were obnoxious before, you're in for a real treat now lol.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) February 9, 2023
The rest of the NBA watching the Suns trade for KD: pic.twitter.com/CLsTzoJgUU
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) February 9, 2023
Kevin Durant this season: 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 55.9 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 93.4 FT%
Automatically the greatest NBA player to ever wear a Suns jersey. Trading Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and 4 unprotected firsts stings, but for a guy like that, it's an all-in move. Title or bust.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 9, 2023
Wow man. The Suns are really getting a Kevin Durant trade done under Mat Ishbia. Losing Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson stings, but wow. Unreal
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 9, 2023
While the Suns are very clearly risking a ton in this trade in terms of draft compensation in the future, this move is very clearly an all-in move.
What makes this deal even sweeter for Suns fans is that Durant is not likely to leave Phoenix anytime soon. He has three more years left on his contract, and Phoenix is a team that was his preferred destination this past offseason when he requested a trade initially.
“Kevin Durant’s desired team is the PHX Suns & to go play with Devin Booker”
– @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/rfoXFsrdsG
— ²³ (@SpeakContext) July 5, 2022
This Nets organization which lost James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and now Kevin Durant proves that nothing is certain when it comes to team success in the NBA. That being said, the Suns look like they could have a very special team for years to come after this monster move at the trade deadline.
