Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 1:30am

DURANT DEALT TO PHOENIX!

In a four-team trade, the Phoenix Suns acquired forwards Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren from the Brooklyn Nets; Brooklyn acquired forwards Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, a first-round draft pick in 2023, a first-round draft pick in 2025, a first-round draft pick in 2027, a first-round draft pick in 2029 and the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2028 from the Suns, a second-round draft pick in 2028 and a second-round draft pick in 2029 from the Milwaukee Bucks, and guard/forward Juan Pablo Vaulet from the Indiana Pacers; Milwaukee acquired forward Jae Crowder from the Nets; and Indiana acquired guard George Hill, guard/forward Jordan Nwora, center/forward Serge Ibaka and three future second-round draft picks from the Bucks, and cash from the Nets.

What does it give the Phoenix Suns
Wow! Phoenix is definitely placing itself at the very top of the contenders list in the Western Conference after this trade. Durant joins Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton on a star-studded roster with aspirations to win a championship (finally). Warren returns to his original team and should be a regular in the rotation (if not the starting lineup).

What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
The Nets made out amazingly well here, especially after moving Kyrie Irving to Dallas recently. Bridges and Johnson are all solid additions and the four future first-rounders will likely cement Brooklyn's post-Durant future. This trade does not enhance or destroy the team's playoff hopes in 2023, though they can no longer aspire to win a title without Durant.

What does it give the Milwaukee Bucks
Crowder will be a valuable backup in Milwaukee for a team with championship aspirations. That is why they moved three players and five draft picks in this massive transaction.

What does it give the Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were able to land serviceable pieces in this trade. Nwora has some upside, so he could become the key to the deal for them. The future picks surely help, too.

Fantasy impact
Durant will continue to be a massive fantasy stud when he returns from injury, which could be right after the NBA All-Star Game. Bridges and Johnson will need to find their niche in Brooklyn, and not everyone will benefit from this trade because of the numbers game that the Nets currently have. Nwora has some sleeper appeal with Indiana. Warren's stock may spike up a little due to the Suns' lack of depth. Crowder is not likely to be a fantasy factor down the stretch. Ditto for Hill and Ibaka.

Player focus

Brooklyn Nets

Mikal Bridges F/G

Cameron Johnson F

Draft pick - Round 1 in 2023

Draft pick - Round 1 in 2025

Draft pick - Round 1 in 2027

Draft pick - Round 1 in 2029

right to swap first-round draft picks - Round 1 in 2028

Draft pick - Round 2 in 2028

Draft pick - Round 2 in 2029

Juan Pablo Vaulet G/F

Milwaukee Bucks

Jae Crowder F

Indiana Pacers

Jordan Nwora F/G

George Hill G

future draft pick - Round 2

future draft pick - Round 2

future draft pick - Round 2

cash

Serge Ibaka C/F