Kevin Durant is a Phoenix Sun after the Brooklyn Nets sent the superstar west for a massive haul.
It cost the Suns Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder plus four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 swap, but the deal immediately turns them into a clear title contender in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile the Los Angeles Lakers have finally parted ways with troublesome star guard Russell Westbrook in a huge three-way trade before Friday’s 7am [AEDT] deadline.
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The trade saw the Lakers surround LeBron James with plenty more offensive firepower in the short-term, adding D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Westbrook, meanwhile, was sent along with Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a first-round pick to Utah.
The Jazz could still buy out Westbrook though, who is said to have interest from the Los Angeles Clippers should that eventuate.
As for the Timberwolves, they receive Mike Conley who joins former Utah teammate Rudy Gobert at a Minnesota team that has fallen well below expectations this season.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and three second-round picks were also sent to Minnesota as part of the trade.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks have traded for Josh Hart, sending Cam Reddish and a protected future first-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Hart, a strong rebounding wing, is averaging 9.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season.
The other blockbuster trade in the days before Friday’s deadline saw Kyrie Irving join the Dallas Mavericks as his drama-filled stint at the Brooklyn Nets came to an end.
Days after the controversial guard requested a move, both clubs tweeted confirmation of the transfer following team physicals.
The Mavericks tweeted “Welcome to Dallas” messages to Irving and Markieff Morris, who came over from the Nets in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, who received a similar social media greeting from Brooklyn.
The Nets also reportedly received a future first-round NBA Draft pick and two second-round selections in the deal.
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The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers were among several clubs linked to Irving after his request to be moved went public, reportedly after failing to agree on terms for a long-term contract extension.
Dinwiddie returns to Brooklyn, where he played for five seasons before a knee ligament injury early in the 2020-21 campaign.
FULL NBA TRADE TRACKER
Durant heads west again in Suns mega-move
Phoenix receives: Kevin Durant, TJ Warren
Brooklyn receives: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) and a 2028 pick swap
Raptors regain Jakob Poeltl from Spurs
Toronto receives:Jakob Poeltl
San Antonio receives:Khem Birch, protected 2024 first-round pick and two future second-round picks
Trail Blazers trade Josh Hart to Knicks
New York receives: Josh Hart
Portland receives: Cam Reddish, a protected future first-round pick
Lakers moves Russell Westbrook in three-team trade with Jazz, Timberwolves
Los Angeles receives: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
Utah receives: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, first-round pick
Minnesota receives: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, three second-round picks
Kings add Kessler Edwards from Nets
Sacramento receives: Kessler Edwards, cash considerations
Brooklyn receives: Draft rights to David Michineau
Heat trade Dewayne Dedmon to Spurs
San Antonio receives: Dewayne Dedmon, 2028 second-round pick
Miami Receives: Cash Considerations
Nets trade Kyrie Irving to Dallas
Dallas receives: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Moriss
Brooklyn receives: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2029 first-round pick, two future second-round picks
Lakers acquire Rui Hachimura from Wizards
Los Angeles receives: Rui Hachimura
Washington receives: Kendrick Nunn, conditional 2028 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
Celtics trade Vonleh to Spurs
Boston receives: Future conditional 2nd-round pick
San Antonio receives: Noah Vonleh, cash considerations
