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Phoenix Suns, NBA, Mike Budenholzer, Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant Traded to Phoenix Suns
blockbuster deal shakes up NBA landscape
Suns acquire Durant from Nets in exchange for Bridges, Johnson, and multiple draft picks
The Phoenix Suns have acquired Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster trade, the teams announced Wednesday.
The Suns sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap to the Nets in exchange for Durant and T.J. Warren.
The trade is a major coup for the Suns, who have been one of the NBA's top teams in recent years but have come up short in the playoffs. Durant is one of the best players in the league and gives the Suns a legitimate chance to win a championship.
For the Nets, the trade marks the end of an era. Durant and Kyrie Irving were supposed to be the cornerstones of the franchise, but the two never really meshed. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month, and now Durant is gone as well.
The Nets are now left with a young team led by Ben Simmons and Seth Curry. It's unclear how competitive they will be in the Eastern Conference, but they do have some promising pieces to build around.
The Suns, meanwhile, are now the favorites to win the Western Conference. They have a loaded roster with Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. If they can stay healthy, they will be a tough team to beat.
Impact on the NBA
The Durant trade has major implications for the NBA landscape.
First, it makes the Suns the clear favorites in the Western Conference. They already had a strong team, and now they have added one of the best players in the league.
Second, it weakens the Nets. They were already without Irving, and now they have lost their other superstar. It's unclear how competitive they will be in the Eastern Conference, but they are no longer a championship contender.
Third, it could lead to more player movement. Durant's trade request has shown that no player is untouchable. This could lead to more stars requesting trades in the future.
Conclusion
The Kevin Durant trade is a major shakeup for the NBA landscape. The Suns are now the favorites in the Western Conference, the Nets are no longer a championship contender, and it could lead to more player movement in the future.