LOS ANGELES — History takes a backseat to the present when the night before the NBA's trade deadline produces the biggest earthquake in years.
Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue, but Irving said he felt these moves were in the works since his first year in Brooklyn, in 2019-20, when Durant missed the season recovering from Achilles surgery — not these moves specifically, but the breakup before things really got a chance to lift off.
Both Durant and Irving went through bouts of unhappiness in Brooklyn — Irving being more volatile than Durant for the aforementioned reasons — and Phoenix was mentioned over the summer as a realistic trade target for Durant“We had a lot of conversations throughout the year of what our futures were going to look like,” Irving said of Durant. “There was still a level of uncertainty, but we just cared about seeing each other be places where we can thrive.
Phoenix gave up significant but fair players in exchange for Durant, and one would think Suns president of basketball operations James Jones still has some holes to fill. While Crowder didn't play this season,, he, Johnson and Bridges were pretty formidable defensively last season when the Suns ran away with the league's best record.
A huge part of the Suns' identity changes with bringing Durant in — but one wonders if it was much of a risk because of the way they infamously flamed out against Dallas in Game 7 of the West semis last season, with rumors ofSomething seismic was necessary and something even more drastic was done. If Durant needed stability on the sidelines and at the point guard spot, he’s found a form of it in Williams and Paul.
If the Suns needed a player in the top tier to go against Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jayson Tatum, Durant is more than willing to go toe-to-toe.LeBron James on Tuesday night, but it was rocked when Durant's once one-size-too-big Nikes were sent back West once again.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Reports: Phoenix Suns getting Kevin Durant in trade with NetsAccording to reports, the Suns will send three players and five draft picks to Brooklyn for the former MVP.
Read more »
Brooklyn Nets trade Kevin Durant to Phoenix Suns, bringing official end to their super team eraIn return, the Nets netted Philly native Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and several unprotected picks to the Nets.
Read more »
Brooklyn Nets Trade Superstar Kevin Durant To Phoenix Suns In Major Shake-UpSuperstar Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is on the move in a trade that will rattle the NBA and send oddsmakers scrambling to reset the odds. With a 3 PM NBA trade deadline looming on Thursday,…
Read more »
Kevin Durant Headed To The Phoenix Suns In Blockbuster Trade: ReportsThe trade comes just hours after new Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia was introduced in Phoenix.
Read more »
Sources: Kevin Durant traded to Phoenix Suns in blockbuster moveThe Brooklyn Nets are trading Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster move, league sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports.
Read more »