Durant Traded to Phoenix Suns, Westbrook in Utah Jazz

Kevin Durant landed in Phoenix Suns following a blockbuster trade this morning. Apart from this news, the next best is that Russell Westbrook ended up in Utah Jazz, also following a big trade. 

Durant Leaving the Nets, Goes to Phoenix

The Suns had an interest in Durant even during the last year, but he stayed in Brooklyn, despite some rumors that the franchise from Arizona pushed to get that deal done.

The 13-time NBA All-Star left for Phoenix along with TJ Warren, while in return, the Nets got Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four first-round picks (2023, 25, 27, and 29), and a 2028 pick swap with the Nets. 

The Nets are trading Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for a package including Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/fJoFHv3i7M

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023

In a short time, the Nets traded both of their superstars, Kyrie Irving, who ended up in Dallas, and Durant, thus ending the era of a super team that was supposed to win the NBA title. 

Turbulences, scandals, and all sorts of negative situations occurred with these two in the team, and that’s why James Harden decided to run away from Brooklyn last year and request a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Both Irving and Durant created a toxic environment, especially Kyrie, who was involved in all sorts of scandals.

The big three played only 16 games together. 

Following Kyrie’s trade, it was more or less certain that Durant’s future isn’t among the Nets. The former NBA MVP aimed to end up in Phoenix as well and attack the title with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. KD is out with an MCL sprain but is expected to be back on the floor following the All-Star break. 

The franchise from Phoenix started the season well, but after that, slowed down due to various injuries, which saw them slipping all the way down to place no.5 in the West, where they currently sit with 30 wins and 26 defeats.

Along with Durant, the Suns took his $153 million three-year contract. 

Westbrook Traded to Utah, D-Lo Back in LA

Another former NBA MVP was traded last night, as Russell Westbrook left the LA Lakers in a trade that sent him to Utah Jazz. This was part of a three-team deal between the Jazz, Lakers, and Timberwolves.

The Lakers got their former player, D’Angelo Russell, from the Timberwolves and also got Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the trade. Minnesota landed veteran point guard Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while Utah received Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, and the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick. 

ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023

It was obvious from the start that Westbrook’s tenure in LA won’t be a good one, and he significantly lost his value while playing for the Lakers. The honeymoon between him and the Lakers was over quickly, and somewhere in the middle of the previous year, Westbrook gave up on being a part of the team even though he stayed in LA. 

This season he posted 15.9 points, 7.5 assists and 6.2 boards.

This is his fifth team in the past five years, and it seems that one of the most dominant guys in the league’s history has lost his previous status. According to some sources, the Jazz will buy out his contract, or they won’t force Russ to play this season.