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PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns pulled a midnight blockbuster on Wednesday, buying 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets, in line with studies from ESPN and others.
The retailers, citing unnamed sources, mentioned the Suns added Durant to a beginning lineup that already consists of an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, together with heart Deandre Ayton. NBC Information was not instantly in a position to verify the event.
Phoenix despatched Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, 4 first-round picks and extra draft compensation to the Nets.
The Suns additionally obtain ahead T.J. Warren within the deal.
The 34-year-old Durant continues to be enjoying at an elite stage, averaging practically 30 factors per recreation this season. Durant and the Suns had been linked to commerce rumors over the previous summer time, however nothing materialized till Wednesday.
The commerce comes simply hours after new Suns majority proprietor Mat Ishbia was launched in Phoenix. The self-described basketball nut, who was a walk-on at Michigan State below Tom Izzo, didn’t waste any time shaking up the NBA.
Phoenix has by no means gained an NBA championship. The Suns made the Finals two seasons in the past, however misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks in six video games. In addition they performed within the Finals in 1976 and 1993.
The quartet of Durant, Paul, Booker and Ayton seems to instantly flip the franchise into title contenders once more.
The Suns have had a number of accidents this season, however performed higher in current weeks. They jumped to fifth within the Western Convention with a 30-26 report. Booker (groin) and Paul (hip) have each lately returned.
Durant is at the moment recovering from a ligament pressure in his proper knee, however is predicted to return quickly.
When former Nets teammate Kyrie Irving heard the information, he mentioned: “I’m simply glad that he acquired out of there.”
The Nets lately traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, the place he’ll pair with Luka Doncic as one other high staff within the Western Convention. Irving scored 24 factors in his Mavs debut towards the Clippers on Wednesday.
“We had a whole lot of conversations all year long of what our futures had been going to appear to be,” Irving mentioned. “There was nonetheless a stage of uncertainty however we simply cared about seeing one another be locations that we are able to thrive. Whether or not that be collectively or whether or not that be aside, there has by no means been one second the place I’ve felt like he’s been offended at me for the choices I’ve made or I’ve been offended at him.
“I simply love the competitors now that we could be in the identical convention.”
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