Four-team deal sends Durant to Phoenix
Trade-deadline day in the NBA on Thursday featured plenty of moves, with the Suns making the biggest as they acquired Kevin Durant in their chase the first championship in franchise history.
They acquired Durant by sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, and a first-round pick swap in 2028 to the Nets, who also sent T.J. Warren back to his original team in Phoenix.
New Suns owner Mat Ishbia called it a “transformative day” for the team.
“Not only is Kevin one of the greatest and most accomplished players in the history of the sport, but his character also embodies the world-class commitment to excellence we are instilling across every facet of this organization," Ishbia said in a statement.
Jae Crowder, who didn't play this season in Phoenix, was moved to Milwaukee in the fourteam trade. The Bucks sent Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and three future secondround picks to the Pacers.
Bridges, Johnson and Crowder helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021, and a return trip looks possible with Durant in their lineup.
The Lakers stayed busy up until the deadline with a couple more moves as they try to build a contender around NBA career scoring leader LeBron James.
They added another big man in Mo Bamba from the Magic for guard Patrick Beverley, a second-round pick and cash considerations.
The Lakers made yet another move Thursday, sending center Thomas Bryant to Denver and getting back Davon Reed and a second-round pick from the Nuggets.
The other team in Los Angeles was also busy. The Clippers landed Bones Hyland from Denver for two second-round picks as the third team in the swap with the Lakers and Nuggets, and acquired center Mason Plumlee from Charlotte for point guard Reggie Jackson and a 2028 second-round draft pick in another deal.
San Antonio added more assets to its rebuilding project by trading center Jakob Poeltl back to the Toronto Raptors for Khem Birch plus a first-round pick in the 2024 draft and two second-round selections.
Minnesota got Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah, along with three second-round picks.
The 76ers are set to acquire forward Jalen McDaniels from Charlotte and send forward Matisse Thybulle to Portland as part of a multi-team trade that also involves multiple draft picks.
Magic 115, Nuggets 104: Reserves Cole Anthony and Bol
Bol each scored 17 points to lead host Orlando over Western Conference-leading Denver. Wendell Carter Jr. led seven Magic scorers in double figures with 19 points, and Orlando's bench outscored the Nuggets' reserves 56-10.
Hawks 116, Suns 107: Trae Young scored 25 of his 36 points in the second half and host Atlanta beat shorthanded Phoenix, still awaiting the arrival of Durant. Josh Okogie had 25 points and Deandre Ayton added 23 points and for Phoenix, which had its three-game winning streak end.
Nets 116, Bulls 105: Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 points in his first game since returning to Brooklyn and the Nets beat visiting Chicago.