The Phoenix Suns gave up a haul to land Kevin Durant, and people belongings have benefited a number of groups.
Blockbuster trades for superstars are at all times hit and miss. Within the case of the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant, it was undoubtedly a miss.
Kevin Durant didn’t play badly with the Suns by any means, however they underachieved as a squad after giving up an enormous a part of their rotation. This 12 months they even failed to achieve the Play-In Match in 2024-25.
The deal in February of 2023 was meant to take the Phoenix Suns again to the NBA Finals. As an alternative, they settled for a second-round exit, a first-round exit, and lacking the playoffs in consecutive years.
We all know how issues ended up for Durant and the Suns. However what about all of the gamers and belongings the Suns gave up for the previous MVP?
For many who have forgotten, that is the commerce package deal that the Suns despatched to the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers for Kevin Durant:
| What the Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant |
| Mikal Bridges Cam Johnson Jae Crowder 2023 First-Spherical Decide 2025 First-Spherical Decide 2027 First-Spherical Decide 2028 First-Spherical Decide Swap 2029 First-Spherical Decide |
Nevertheless, within the years because the deal occurred, all these belongings have discovered totally different fortunes. We go into additional element under:
Mikal Bridges had a robust first 12 months with the Brooklyn Nets, changing into their first choice and even serving to take them to the primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs.
However when the New York Knicks got here calling, the Nets determined to half methods with Bridges, additional maximizing their commerce haul by transferring him for six first-round picks and cap-filling gamers.
With the Knicks, Bridges would attain the Jap Convention Finals, enjoying a pivotal function for the crew earlier than they finally received crushed by the Indiana Pacers.
Cam Johnson has additionally elevated to being a key participant for the Brooklyn Nets. Within the aftermath of the Mikal Bridges commerce, Johnson grew to become the primary choice for the Nets.
He had a robust season, averaging 18.8 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and three.4 assists. These sturdy performances have made Johnson a commerce goal for a lot of groups this offseason.
Johnson is unlikely to be on the Nets come the beginning of the brand new season. The place he finally ends up can be a matter of nice curiosity for a number of NBA groups.
Jae Crowder left the Suns as a part of the Kevin Durant commerce and joined the Milwaukee Bucks. He performed there till the tip of the 2023-24 season, collaborating in two playoff runs.
Since then, he signed with the Sacramento Kings one month into the 2024-25 NBA season. Nevertheless, he solely performed 10 video games for the Kings, together with a play-in sport.
The place Crowder finally ends up subsequent season remains to be unclear. Whereas the Kings may choose to maintain him, there is no such thing as a certainty with the franchise as they’re undecided about their future.
The Phoenix Suns despatched 4 first-round picks and a decide swap to the Nets. The Nets used their 2023 first-round decide to land Noah Clowney with the twenty first decide.
As for his or her picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029, the Brooklyn Nets traded them to the Houston Rockets to re-acquire their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, whereas the 2029 decide grew to become a part of a four-team swap between the Nets, Rockets, Mavericks, and Suns.
The 2028 first-round decide swap was expanded to incorporate the New York Knicks, who additionally despatched a decide swap to land Mikal Bridges.
The Phoenix Suns want to commerce Kevin Durant this offseason. Brian Windhorst confirmed a Durant commerce is just about assured.
Houston is the likeliest touchdown spot, because the Suns need to re-acquire their draft picks from the Rockets as they give the impression of being to enter a rebuild.
They have to prioritize their future, as Devin Booker remains to be set on staying with the Suns long-term. However another groups are additionally eying a transfer for Durant.
The Kevin Durant saga is bound to generate a number of curiosity this offseason, because the Suns look to make a flying begin to their rebuild.
