Last night, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers sent Russell Westbrook to the Jazz and acquired D’Angelo Russell in return. The Lakers also got Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in the trade, while the Timberwolves are set to receive Mike Conley and Nickel Alexander-Walker, as well as draft picks. Along with Russell Westbrook, Jazz will also acquire Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, and a 2027 Lakers first-round pick (top-four protected). The Lakers, of course, continue to build around the heart of their team, LeBron James.
Now, back in Brooklyn, in the late hours of the evening, another blockbuster move was made – which shocked many of us as we all got ready for our day this morning.
With Kyrie’s departure, after being traded to Dallas, Kevin Durant’s time with the Nets was inevitably coming to an end. We just weren’t sure yet where he’d go, and what Brooklyn would get in return. Well, late last night, a deal between the Nets and the Phoenix Suns was made.
In exchange for Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder*, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks, and additional draft compensation, the Phoenix Suns acquired Kevin Durant. Now, if you recall, the Suns previously initiated a deal with the Nets for Kyrie Irving, but clearly, that never materialized. So, it made perfect sense to close out that deal with KD.
*As of Noon EST, Jae Crowder was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for five second-round picks. (via Shams)
So, who won in these trades?
The Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns look like the trade deadline’s big winners. For now, at least, if no other blockbuster moves are made before 3 PM (ET). For Utah, landing Westbrook not only gave them more draft assets, and a first-round pick, but saved them millions.
Now for Brooklyn and Phoenix, considering that Phoenix was KD’s preferred destination, it’s a win for him and the Suns. The Suns now have one of the most explosive scoring duos in Booker and Durant, in addition to Chris Paul. And the Nets, well.. they’re back into a period of uncertainty. Sure, they have Ben Simmons, but in just over a year, they have traded James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and now, Kevin Durant. Ouch.
More trade news will surely hit our timelines as we near the deadline this afternoon. But for now, at least, the biggest moves have already been made. We shall all wait and see. In the meantime, check out some of the trade reactions below.
"I'm just glad he got out of there."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 9, 2023
– Kyrie reacts to KD being traded to Phoenix pic.twitter.com/xJK6UE7CON
Sick world getting traded at 1:30 in the AM lol
— kuz (@kylekuzma) February 9, 2023
Omygod lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) February 9, 2023
Madness!!! I was gone leave the deadline to everybody else but it’s necessary that I do a pod tomorrow!! Deadline madness coming your way way soon The DRAYMOND GREEN SHOW @JacksonSafon
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) February 9, 2023
This all because @JaMorant said he was good in the West 😂😂😂
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 9, 2023
The @NBA script is the best drama on tv
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) February 9, 2023
KD and Kyrie left behind 7 total playoff wins, two first round sweeps, a broken Ben Simmons and 15 3 + D wings. Thanks for everything Brooklyn!
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 9, 2023
The Nets built a superteam and won exactly one playoff series
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) February 9, 2023
Ben Simmons: “Kyrie’s gone, but we can win together!”
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) February 9, 2023
Kevin Durant: pic.twitter.com/6NgrapcWF7
https://twitter.com/_Talkin_NBA/status/1623565259536564224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1623565259536564224%7Ctwgr%5E267ad0dae630134d7e48e3c6343fbfeb3b625bac%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2Fnba-twitter-stunned-nets-reportedly-trade-kevin-durant-suns
Ben Simmons – “I think it’s going to be scary playing with Durant and Kyrie.”
— JPW (@JWepp) February 9, 2023
KD & Kyrie – pic.twitter.com/7nSa6xab0Z
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 9, 2023
