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FILE–Kevin Durant during the game against Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP
Kevin Durant’s blockbuster move from Brooklyn to Phoenix made the Suns a major title contender and sparked Thursday’s NBA trade deadline bids by rivals.
The 34-year-old superstar joins Suns All-Star guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker plus Bahamian center Deandre Ayton, the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to create what could be the strongest lineup in the NBA.
Phoenix sent four first-round NBA Draft picks, swingman Mikal Bridges, forwards Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder and swapped a 2028 pick to the Nets in exchange for Durant and forward TJ Warren.
Disgruntled Crowder for the Bucks
FILE PHOTO: Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99). Mandatory credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Crowder, who has sat out the 2022-23 season so far, didn’t stay with the Nets long, reportedly traded Thursday to the Milwaukee Bucks for five second-round NBA Draft picks.
The Suns confirmed the acquisition of Durant, first reported Wednesday night, with a tweet as many clubs posted photos and statements on social media welcoming new players and bidding farewell to those who had been traded.
There was a lot of movement as the balance of power in the Western Conference was shaken by Durant’s arrival and only two clubs, Chicago and Cleveland, chose not to make the deadline.
Good evening, Suns fans 😎 pic.twitter.com/VG6hO8sdak
– Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 10, 2023
Durant’s move spelled the epitaph for the “Big Three” era of the Nets, who sent James Harden to Philadelphia a year ago and traded star guard Kyrie Irving to Dallas earlier this week.
The trio managed to play just 16 games together and win one playoff series after appearing as title contenders, instead ending up as one of the epic failures in NBA history.
The Lakers made a move
FILE – D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP
The Los Angeles Lakers are making a number of moves in hopes of reviving a bad season by the NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James and superstar Anthony Davis with improved talent.
The Lakers, 25-30, sent Russell Westbrook to Utah in a three-team deal that brought D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota and Utah guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt.
On Thursday, the Lakers also sent center Thomas Bryant to Denver in exchange for three second-round NBA Draft picks and guard Patrick Beverley to the Orlando Magic for 7-foot (2.13m) center Mo Bamba.
Russell and Beasley add their 3-point shooting skills and outside threat to pair with Davis and James, who were recently joined by Japanese forward Rui Hachimura in a deal with Washington.
The Warriors got Payton
FILE–Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors. Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP
NBA champion Golden State acquired Gary Payton II from Portland for five second-round NBA Draft picks in a multi-team deal that sent Detroit forward Kevin Knox to the Trail Blazers.
The Warriors also sent James Wiseman to Detroit in a three-team deal that sent Sadiq Bey to Atlanta and brought Golden State the draft pick that landed Payton.
Golden State’s move will save more than $37 million in luxury tax costs over the next two seasons.
Plumlee was sent to the Clippers
Mason Plumlee #24 of the Charlotte Hornets. Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images/AFP
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired center Mason Plumlee from Charlotte for guard Reggie Jackson and sent guard Luke Kennard to Memphis in a three-team deal that also sent Houston guard Eric Gordon to LA and traded John Wall and Danny Green to the Rockets.
The Clippers, who also added guard Bones Hyland from Denver for two second-round picks, will reportedly look to sign Westbrook if Utah buys out the former Lakers star’s contract, adding some veteran talent and some newcomers around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
San Antonio sent players for two contenders, dealing guard Josh Richardson to New Orleans for Devonte Graham and four second-round picks and Austrian center Jakob Poeltl to Toronto for Canadian center Khem Birch and three draft picks.
Atlanta sent Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky to Houston for Bruno Fernando and Garrison Matthews in a cost-cutting move.
Indiana acquired Milwaukee guard George Hill and a draft pick.
Philadelphia added Charlotte forward Jalen McDaniels in a three-team deal that sent the 76ers’ Matisse Thybulle to Portland.
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