Kevin Durant. Panoramic
After Kyrie Irving left for Dallas, Kevin Durant also turns his back on the Brooklyn Nets. The 2014 MVP joins the Suns (unlucky finalists in 2021 dream of a first NBA title) in exchange for five draft picks, from Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder. This transfer marks the end of the Big 3 in Brooklyn. James Harden left in February 2022 for Philadelphia, before the significant exchanges this week. Kevin Durant who is currently treating a knee will, with Chris Paul and Devin Booker, compose a shock trio in Arizona.
The deal comes on the same day that US billionaire, Mat Ishbia, who made his fortune in mortgages, made his debut as the Suns’ new owner, promising that he would “not sit here counting the dollars»
«I will look at how we can improve our team“, he warned.
Durant, a two-time NBA champion in 2017 and 2018 with Golden State being the Finals MVP each time and a former NBA regular-season MVP in 2014, had asked to leave the New York-based franchise in June 2022, less than a year after signing a four-year, $198 million contract extension with the Nets.
The 34-year-old winger is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season.
«KDwas apparently growing increasingly frustrated with the direction of the franchise, which was swept in the first round of the playoffs last season despite the star duo formed by Durant and Irving.
Last August, however, it was agreed that Durant would eventually stay in Brooklyn, but the club had a rocky start to the season marked by the dismissal of coach Steve Nash in November.
Irving was later suspended for eight matches for refusing to apologize after a social media post promoting an anti-Semitic film.
Although the Nets’ situation has improved under new coach Jacque Vaughn, Durant himself has been sidelined since Jan. 8 with a sprained ligament in his right knee and will therefore not participate in the upcoming All- Star Game.
Durant and Irving both arrived in Brooklyn in 2019 with the goal of forming a “great teamwith fullback James Harden, who was traded to the Philadelphia Sixers shortly before the trade deadline last year.
Between injuries, controversies and the simple lack of chemistry, the project “Big Threefrom Brooklyn failed to see them through to the second round of the playoffs.