A year ago, the Brooklyn Nets had the most-talented BIG 3 in the NBA in James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant, and it seemed like they would be a championship contender for years to come. As of Thursday morning, the Nets have neither of these players and couldn’t be further from contending for a title.
According to multiple reports, the Phoenix Suns made a deal with the Nets to acquire Durant. The Suns will send Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a pick swap to Brooklyn while also getting TJ Warren as part of the trade.
The deal comes just days after the Nets traded away disgruntled All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and picks. It likely signals the start of another rebuild for the troubled franchise unless they can use the acquired assets to replenish the lost star power.
Durant asked to be traded in the summer in an apparent power struggle with then-head coach Steve Nash. The Nets had talks with other teams but eventually decided there was no deal to be made and managed to fix their relationship with the player while letting go of Nash.
Even after trading away Irving, Brooklyn had full intention to continue with Durant and tried to explore trades that could help them improve the roster around him. But the 34-year-old player wanted out, and this time the Nets opted to take the best deal they had on the table and run with it.
Durant leaves an underwhelming legacy in New York that included regular playoff trips but only one postseason series win. His time with the Nets will always be viewed because of what it could be opposite to what it actually was.
For the Suns, this deal is all about getting the final piece of the puzzle that could move them across the finishing line and toward the NBA title. With Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul, Phoenix has all the reasons to believe they are the best team in the Western Conference and possibly in the league. It also serves as a statement of intent by the new owner Mat Ishbia and signals better days for the Suns.
