The team reportedly added Durant to a starting lineup. That already includes an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Along with center DeAndre Ayton.
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns pulled off a midnight blockbuster Wednesday. Acquiring 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. According to reports from ESPN and others.
The outlets, citing unnamed sources, said the Suns have added Durant to a starting lineup. That already includes an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Along with center DeAndre Ayton. TTN News was not immediately able to confirm the development.
Phoenix netted Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder. Four first-round picks and extra draft compensation.
The Sun forward T.J. Warren in agreement.
Durant, 34, is still playing at an elite level, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. Durant and the Suns were linked in trade rumors last summer. But nothing materialized as of Wednesday.
The trade comes hours after new Suns majority. Owner Matt Ishbia was introduced to Phoenix. The self-described basketball nut, who was a walk-on at Michigan State under Tom Izzo. Wasted no time shaking up the NBA.
Phoenix has never won an NBA championship. The Suns reached the Finals two seasons ago, but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. They also played in the finals in 1976 and 1993.
The quartet of Durant, Paul, Booker and Ayton looks to immediately turn the franchise. Into title contention again. The Suns have been plagued by several injuries this season. But have played better in recent weeks. They finished fifth in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record. Both Booker (groin) and Paul (hip) recently returned.
Durant is currently recovering from. A ligament strain in his right knee, but is expected to return soon.
When former Nets teammate Kyrie Irving heard the news, he said: “I’m glad he’s out of there.”
The Nets recently traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. Where he will pair with Luka Doncic as another top team in the Western Conference. Irving scored 24 points in his Mavs debut against the Clippers on Wednesday.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations throughout the year about what our future looks like,” Irving said. “There was still a level of uncertainty but we were just careful to see each other as places where we could improve. Whether it was together or apart, there was never a moment. Where I felt like he was angry at me for my decision or I was angry at him.
“I like the competition now that we can be in the same conference.”