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In case you slept by way of it — the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns accomplished a blockbuster commerce to ship Kevin Durant to the western convention. Phoenix regained its standing as a NBA title contender. Brooklyn successfully ended its probability of chasing the identical objective.
The transfer got here hours after the Celtics defeated the 76ers and exercise started across the league. The Lakers added D’Angelo Russell. The Knicks acquired Josh Hart, and long-rumored Celtics target Jakob Poetl landed again together with his former Raptors workforce. Boston stood pat, for now, as the three p.m. deadline approaches and everybody grapples with the transfer.
Players wondered about what deals happened as they shuffled into the locker room post-game on Wednesday, with the best shock to greet lots of them within the morning.
“It’s simpler mentioned than executed, simply ignoring it and never listening to something,” Brogdon instructed CelticsBlog on Wednesday morning. “After all you’re watching. You wish to see which groups are making upgrades and what groups are deciding to go within the different path.”
The Suns retained Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton whereas buying TJ Warren from Brooklyn, too. They despatched the Nets Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, 4 unprotected first-round picks and rights to a 2028 choose swap. The commerce ended any hypothesis Durant, signed by way of 2026, would try and make it work with the Nets following the Kyrie Irving commerce.
Irving, dealt to Dallas earlier this week, scored 24 factors in his debut win over the Clippers. He reached the rostrum with sufficient time to react to the transfer.
“It’s not the primary time we’ll be in competitors as brothers. I’m simply praying for his happiness and praying for his effectively being,” he mentioned. “We had numerous conversations all year long of what our futures have been going to appear to be. There was nonetheless a stage of uncertainty. We simply cared about seeing one another be locations the place we will thrive, and whether or not that be collectively, or whether or not that be aside, there’s by no means been one second the place I felt like he’s been indignant at me for choices I’ve made, or I’ve been indignant with him.”
Durant and Irving’s exodus to the west creates a much more compelling playoff image in each conferences. The Suns turn into favorites with a trio of scorers who dominate from all three ranges, and a strong defensive construction. Denver stays atop the convention. The Mavericks and Clippers boast scary one-two punches and the Warriors and Lakers linger as harmful play-in contenders. We will’t neglect the Sacramento Kings anymore both.
These groups would make compelling Finals opponents for the Celtics, however significantly the theater of an Irving return in a distinct location or the stature of Durant’s new workforce. A Suns run would elevate the query — ought to the Celtics have inquired, and even closed the deal?
Stephen A. Smith elevating the potential of a Jaylen Brown for Durant swap makes way more sense now. The Nets seemingly doubted his future and subtly introduced his availability with a excessive asking worth. Chris Haynes reporting Paul’s availability in Irving negotiations with Brooklyn falls into context too. Phoenix tried to accumulate each Irving and Durant.
The Nets obtained a haul for the latter from a workforce lagging within the standings and needing to bolster its competition window round Paul. It’s an unlimited, but comprehensible danger that alters the trail to a championship for the Celtics barely for now, and doubtlessly drastically later.
Boston wouldn’t meet the value Phoenix paid. They might’ve provided 5 first-rounders, although the Suns seem extra more likely to deteriorate later this decade than the Celtics would’ve. One other rotation participant or gamers, like Derrick White, wanted to affix the deal.
Ought to they’ve? There’s a case. The value appears awfully excessive.
Danilo Gallinari’s contract wouldn’t have moved the Nets as a lot as Crowder’s, which they’ll now attempt to transfer or purchase out as soon as the deadline passes. Boston additionally sits in a much less determined place than the Suns did. Make no mistake, the championship discipline is now extra crowded for permitting a deal. There’s an opportunity Durant may’ve set the Celtics aside.
Boston will now not want to fret concerning the Nets. They shouldn’t overlook them, at the least to see what the value can be to accumulate Seth Curry or any considered one of their rising array of robust position gamers. Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, Patty Mills and Yuta Watanabe may all assist playoff groups, or proceed to assist the Nets compete.
Buying and selling Irving for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith doesn’t make as a lot sense with Durant departing. Ben Simmons stays, no matter meaning now. Bridges ought to shine in a bigger position. As ought to Johnson. Jacque Vaughn can coach. The Nets fared first rate.
It’s additionally arduous to see the place they’re going, owing picks to Houston by way of 2027.
“I’m simply glad that (Durant) bought out of there,” Irving mentioned.
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