Phoenix building super team by adding Durant
Suns steal headlines at NBA trade deadline
NEW YORK — Kevin Durant’s time in Brooklyn ended Thursday when the Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns as part of a four-team deal.
The Nets acquired Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, and a first-round pick swap in 2028 from the Suns, who also got T.J. Warren from the Nets.
The Nets also acquired second-round picks in 2028 and 2029 from Milwaukee and the draft rights to guard Juan Pablo Vaulet from Indiana in the deal.
Durant, 34, is still playing at an elite level, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season.
The Nets, meanwhile, said they felt the deal best positioned them for future success.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to building the team Brooklyn deserves,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Mikal, Cam and their families to Brooklyn.”
Durant was moved just days after the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to Dallas, a stunningly fast end to the superstar era in Brooklyn.
In other deadline trades:
■ The Warriors re-acquired guard Gary Payton II in a four-team trade. They sent center James Wiseman to Detroit, while the Pistons sent forward Saddiq Bey to the Hawks and forward Kevin Knox to the Warriors. The Hawks sent five second-round draft picks to the Warriors, who then moved them to Portland for Payton.
■ The Clippers, Grizzlies and Rockets pulled off a three-team trade. Guard Eric Gordon heads from Houston to Los Angeles. Memphis gets guard Luke Kennard from the Clippers, while the Rockets land guard John Wall from the Clippers and forward Danny Green from the Grizzlies.
■ New Orleans sent point guard Devonté Graham to San Antonio for swingman Josh Richardson.
■ The Lakers acquired center Mo Bamba from Orlando for guard Patrick Beverley. The Lakers also sent center Thomas Bryant to Denver for guard Davon Reed.
■ The Hornets sent center Mason Plumlee to the Clippers for guard Reggie Jackson. The Hornets also sent forward Jalen Mcdaniels to Philadelphia in a deal that lands guard Matisse Thybulle in Portland and guard Svi Mykhailiuk in Charlotte.