The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Irving, Durant head West, Westbrook on way to Utah
First it was Kyrie Irving to Dallas. Then came Kevin Durant to Phoenix. The breakup in Brooklyn is rebuilding contenders in the West.
Trade deadline day in the NBA arrived Thursday with news of a blockbuster. The Nets had agreed overnight to deal Durant to the Suns for a package that included Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation.
Another big name moved a day earlier when the Lakers agreed to send Russell Westbrook to Utah in a three-way deal with Utah and Minnesota that brought D’angelo Russell back to Los Angeles. The Lakers added another big man Thursday, acquiring Mo Bamba from the Magic for Patrick Beverley, a second-round pick and cash, according to a person with knowledge of those negotiations. The Magic are not expected to keep Beverley, the person told the AP.
More moves figured to be made before the 3 p.m. deadline. Those already agreed to were confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not yet official.
The Suns just got Devin Booker back from a groin injury that had sidelined him since Christmas and soon will add Durant to the lineup when he recovers from a sprained knee ligament. Those two, plus Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, could make this Phoenix team more powerful.
Phoenix has won nine of 11 and shared the fourth-best record with Dallas entering its game Thursday night in Atlanta.
The Mavericks also may be stronger after acquiring Irving to pair with Luka Doncic. Irving asked out of Brooklyn last week, frustrated with his negotiations for a contract extension, and he was headed West a few days later.
Then it was Durant, who had gone to Brooklyn with Irving in 2019.
A day after Lebron James broke the NBA’S career scoring record, the Lakers moved to get him more help by acquiring Russell — who began his career with the franchise — from Minnesota, and guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz. The deal sent Westbrook to Utah after the 2017 NBA MVP never thrived alongside James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers made another move Thursday, sending center Thomas Bryant to Denver for Davon Reed and three second-round picks. Bryant, who started 25 games and is averaging 12.1 points, could be a good backup to two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
San Antonio traded center Jakob Poeltl back to Toronto for Khem Birch and a pair of second-round selections. Philadelphia was set to acquire forward Jalen Mcdaniels from Charlotte and send forward Matisse Thybulle to Portland as part of a trade that also involves draft picks. It was the second move in two days for the Blazers, who sent Josh Hart to the Knicks for former Hawk Cam Reddish and a draft pick.
The New Orleans Pelicans reached an agreement to trade Devonte’ Graham and four second-round draft choices to San Antonio for Josh Richardson.