The Western Conference has improved by the hour, and the biggest trade of the season will continue the trend tenfold.
First, Kyrie Irving joined the Dallas Mavericks. Then, the Lakers, Timberwolves and Jazz swapped point guards. And now, two-time champion and four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant is joining the Phoenix Suns in what is shaping up to be the biggest midseason trade of all time.
The Suns, under new owner Mat Ishbia, are sending promising young wings Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four unprotected first round picks and a pick swap, to Brooklyn for Durant. The trade should give Phoenix the talent to be considered favorites to come out of the Western Conference.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the details of the trade.
Durant, playing as well as he ever has before a knee injury sidelined him recently, is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. The 34-year-old ranks seventh in player efficiency rating and is shooting 55.9% from the field.
Durant’s future in Brooklyn was uncertain after his running mate, Irving, requested a trade last week. Now the nucleus Durant helped form in Brooklyn — himself, Irving and James Harden — is completely disbanded one year after they all played together.
The past three seasons for Durant haven’t featured the self-determined greatness he’d hoped for after winning two titles — and two Finals MVP awards — with Golden State. Instead, the Nets became what-could-have-been paper tigers.
Brooklyn put together one of the most efficient offenses ever in 2020-21, but Harden’s hamstring injury in the playoffs prevented them from advancing. Even with Harden physically compromised, Durant’s jumper with his toe barely on the 3-point line nearly sent them to the next round anyway.
The 2021-22 season was defined by Irving’s refusal to get the vaccine, and Harden’s trade departure. Turmoil and drama preceded the team getting swept out of the playoffs in the first round by Boston.
Durant’s tenure with the Nets — his preferred, hand-picked destination in free agency — won’t include even a Conference Finals run.
Now with Phoenix, Durant will have a chance to seriously contend. Although their wing depth is now depleted, the Suns have Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton to play with Durant, a foursome unmatched in talent by any other in the league.
Behind those stars, forwards Torrey Craig, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, Dario Saric and Joe Landale provide a combination of versatility and shooting. Phoenix is also getting score-first wing T.J. Warren in the deal.
The Suns are currently 30-26 and in fifth place in the West. They got as close to a championship as the franchise ever has been in 2021, when they lost in the Finals to the Bucks.
Durant, the 2013-14 league MVP who was selected to start the All-Star Game this year, could put them over the top.
The Warriors’ next meeting with Durant and his new squad? March 13 in the Chase Center.