Kevin Durant’s blockbuster move from Brooklyn to Phoenix turned the Suns into a major championship contender and sparked a flurry of NBA trading deadline deals on Thursday by roster-boosting rivals. The 34-year-old superstar joined Suns All-Star defenders Chris Paul and Devin Booker plus Bahamian midfielder Deandre Ayton, the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to create the NBA’s strongest roster. Phoenix sent four first-round NBA Draft picks, swingman Mikal Bridges, forwards Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder, and a 2028 pick swap to the Nets in exchange for Durant and forward TJ Warren.
Crowder, who has been sidelined in the 2022-23 season so far, hasn’t stayed with the Nets long, reportedly trading Thursday with the Milwaukee Bucks for five NBA Draft picks in the second round.
The Suns confirmed their acquisition of Durant, first reported on Wednesday night, with a tweet as multiple clubs posted photos and social media statements welcoming their new players and saying hello. Goodbye to those who have been traded.
There were many moves 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 set deadlines.
Durant’s move penned an epithet for the “Big Three” era of the Nets, who sent James Harden to Philadelphia a year ago and traded star protection Kyrie Irving to Dallas earlier this week.
The trio played just 16 games together and won a series of playoffs after being seen as championship contenders, rather than ending up as one of the epic defeats in NBA history.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made many moves in the hope of revitalizing a bad season by surrounding NBA all-time scorers LeBron James and big star Anthony Davis with improved talent.
The Lakers, 25-30, send Russell Westbrook to Utah in a three-team deal bringing in D’Angelo Russell of Minnesota and Utah guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt.
On Thursday, the Lakers also sent quarterback Thomas Bryant to Denver in exchange for three NBA Draft second-round picks and swapped defender Patrick Beverley to the Orlando Magic for 7-foot (2.13 m) midfielder Mo Bamba.
Russell and Beasley added three-pointer skills and outside threat to pair Davis and James, who were recently joined by Japanese striker Rui Hachimura in a deal with Washington.
– Warriors get Payton –
Defending NBA champion Golden State acquired Gary Payton II from Portland for five NBA Draft picks in the second round 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 sends Sadiq Bey to Atlanta and gives Golden State the draft picks that landed Payton.
The Golden State moves will save more than $37 million in luxury goods tax costs over the next two seasons.
The Los Angeles Clippers acquire center Mason Plumlee from Charlotte to replace guard Reggie Jackson and send guard Luke Kennard to Memphis in a three-team deal that also sends Houston guard Eric Gordon to LA and brings John Wall and Danny Green into the Rockets.
The Clippers, who also added defender Bones Hyland from Denver for two second-round picks, are said to consider signing Westbrook if Utah buys out the former Lakers star’s deal, adding some resources. Skilled veterans and some newcomers around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
San Antonio sends players to two contenders, guard trade 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 cost-cutting moves.
Indiana gets Milwaukee guard George Hill and a draft pick.
Philadelphia has added Charlotte forward Jalen McDaniels in a three-team deal that sends the 76ers’ Matisse Thybulle to Portland.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the aggregate feed.)
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