In one of the most shocking moves in NBA history, former MVP and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant is headed to the Suns, per multiple reports. Phoenix acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Nets on Thursday. Brooklyn will receive forwards Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder as well as four first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap. The Suns will also acquire T.J. Warren in the deal. It was reported earlier the Nets were leaning toward not trading Durant. Now, only a few days after trading Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn has also moved on from KD. Let’s grade the deal for both sides.
Suns: A+
This is a win-now move in a wide-open Western Conference, and it’s a home run. Phoenix almost certainly becomes the favorite in the West, with an improving Chris Paul, an All-Star level Devin Booker and Durant forming a formidable trio. Those are three of the deadliest halfcourt scorers in the NBA, and they will be hellish to defeat in a playoff series. And after years of the postseason burden seemingly catching up to Paul, he now has two ultra-elite perimeter scorers to make his life much easier.
