Just a few days after Kyrie Irving parted ways with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant has reportedly been traded to the Phoenix Suns!
The Move Is Described As A ‘Blockbuster Trade’
News of the matter broke on Wednesday night, and ESPN reports that KD was traded for a package that includes Suns athletes Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder. Additionally, the outlet—which referred to the trade as a “blockbuster” deal—noted that the agreement includes the Suns trading four future first-round picks to the Nets.
Journalist Adrian Wojnarowski also notes that the move was favorable for KD, as “Durant wanted to move to Suns.”
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are nearing a blockbuster trade to acquire Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, sources tell ESPN. Durant wanted move to Suns, and new owner Mat Ishbia pushing to get deal done tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
The deal notably came just hours ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline, which hits on Thursday at 3 p.m. (EST). It also surfaced just days after Kyrie Irving parted ways with the Nets in favor of the Dallas Mavericks.
The Dallas Mavericks have acquired eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving along with Markieff Morris from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks. pic.twitter.com/bmBZFXGJV4
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) February 6, 2023
Both Kevin and Kyrie signed onto the Nets as back in 2019, and James Harden was eventually added on in 2021.
However, all three athletes have since left to pursue different opportunities with other teams (Harden left for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022), and Wojnarowski notes that this marks the end of “the great superstar experiment in Brooklyn.”
NBA Fans React To The News On Social Media
News swiftly spread like wildfire, and NBA Twitter had some thoughts.
There were plenty of reactions highlighting how Nets fans woke up to the reports.
NETS TRADE KEVIN DURANT TO THE SUNS 😂 😂 😂
Knicks fans:pic.twitter.com/6HKjuplPZE
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) February 9, 2023
Nets fans waking up to hear the news#Nets#NBATradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/UFTIOPKwoN
— Malik Clarke (@trinisportsguy7) February 9, 2023
Me waking up to the KD trade… #NBATradeDeadline #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/laHPGM7qsS
— What part of the game is this? 🇹🇹 (@bobbythemamba) February 9, 2023
Waking up to Kevin Durant in Phoenix is just insane
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 9, 2023
Ben Simmons, a Nets athlete who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden, also caught some flack online. Specifically, people joked that he would be unable to rise to the occasion and fill Kevin and Kyrie’s shoes.
Ben Simmons without Kyrie and KD 😂 pic.twitter.com/IuhJfmZWrk
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) February 9, 2023
Ben Simmons leading the Nets team meeting today pic.twitter.com/JUl54hCEwW
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) February 9, 2023
The Nets are left with Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/eTDmRiJAEc
— jujoffer (@jujoffer) February 9, 2023
People also cut up by speculating that KD and Kyrie jumped ship because they didn’t want to play alongside Simmons, who catches heat online for his playing style.
Ben Simmons – “I think it’s going to be scary playing with Durant and Kyrie.”
KD & Kyrie – pic.twitter.com/7nSa6xab0Z
— JPW (@JWepp) February 9, 2023
Ben Simmons: “Kyrie’s gone, but we can win together!”
Kevin Durant: pic.twitter.com/6NgrapcWF7
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) February 9, 2023
Ben Simmons: https://t.co/p1NqklMzUq pic.twitter.com/EeHZrgavt5
— B (@BabyfaceddB) February 9, 2023
The Nets were also bashed for fumbling the bag with so many great athletes.
no way you trade harden kyrie and KD all within a year and end up wit just ben simmons 😭😭😭 no way dawg fire that GM
— juju 💰 (@ayeejuju) February 9, 2023
The Nets really fumbled Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Most poverty franchise ever
— Hana 🏀🏈🖤 (@HanaHoops) February 9, 2023
We also have to add that Kyrie reacted to the news during a post-game press conference, as he said, “I’m glad he got out of there.”
Kyrie Irving reacts to the Kevin Durant trade to Phoenix: “I’m just glad he got out of there”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 9, 2023
What do you think about the trading situation?
