Kyrie & KD acquisitions are official
LAS VEGAS — A week after the Nets acquired Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the moves finally became official Sunday.
The Nets and the NBA power structure won’t be the same.
First the Nets finalized the signing of Irving. Then they completed a sign-and-trade for Durant and a protected 2020 first-round pick in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham.
“Kevin is a champion, perennial All-Star and one of the great players of this, or any, generation,” Nets GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “Adding a player of Kevin’s caliber to our organization elevates our ability to compete with the elite teams in this league.
“His tremendous abilities and dedication to his craft have made him as talented an offensive player our game has ever seen; and we, as well as all of Brooklyn, are thrilled to welcome Kevin and his family to the Nets.”
The sign-and-trade capped a carefully crafted series of moves, ordered in such a way as to maximize every penny of cap space. It started with the Allen CrabbeTaurean Prince trade that opened up cap space, then signing DeAndre Jordan and Kyrie Irving into that space.
The Nets completed the signing of second-round pick Nic Claxton on Sunday morning, and finally the sign-and-trade for Durant.
Durant — only the sixth man to win consecutive Finals MVPs — averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists last season. He ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 of this year’s Finals and will miss most, if not all, of next season — but landing the nine-time All-NBA star is still a coup.
“Along with the rest of the league, our coaching staff has long admired Kevin’s incredible skill, resilience and tenacity,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “He’s already established himself as a champion and one of the best players of all time, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him into our program in Brooklyn.”
Unlike then-Lakers president Magic Johnson — who ripped Russell after trading him to the Nets — Marks showed the outgoing guard some love.
“We’d also like to thank D’Angelo for all he’s done for the Nets over the past two seasons. He was an integral part of the team’s growth and served as a tremendous representative of the Nets and Brooklyn,” Marks added. “We wish him, Shabazz and Treveon nothing but the best in the years ahead.”
Russell made his first All-Star team this past season. But Irving is an upgrade after averaging 23.8 points and career-highs of 6.9 assists, five rebounds and 1.5 steals. The Nets tweeted a picture of the West Orange, N.J., product signing his contract.
“Kyrie is one of the NBA’s elite guards and has won at the highest level,” Marks said. “His championship pedigree, coupled with his gifted scoring and playmaking abilities, will make him an outstanding addition to our team. We’re very excited to welcome Kyrie and his family to Brooklyn.”
Roc Nation Sports — which represents Irving after the point guard switched agents on the eve of free agency — also tweeted out an announcement video. The firm also represents forward Wilson Chandler, who will sign with the Nets, as well.
Durant announced that he’ll change from No. 35 to No. 7, explaining via the Instagram account of his business — ironically called Thirty Five Ventures — that the switch signifies the next chapter in his career.
Meanwhile, the Nets tweeted a video of Irving jerseys being brought into the team store at Barclays Center. He’ll don No. 11, which hadn’t been worn since the Nets traded their all-time leading scorer Brook Lopez for Russell.