Grading all teams involved in Suns’ blockbuster Durant trade

This year the NBA Trade Deadline began a day early, as four trades involving first-round picks went down on Wednesday night. The biggest by far was an absolute shocker, as new Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia came in with a bang, making an overnight trade to completely alter the course of the franchise and the face of the NBA.

The Phoenix Suns have traded for Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, sending an absolutely gargantuan package: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, ’25, ’27 and ’29) and a first-round pick swap in 2028. In return, they add two-time champion and MVP candidate Kevin Durant and former Suns forward T.J. Warren.

How do we start to evaluate the Phoenix Suns trade for Kevin Durant?

There are certainly a number of winners and losers from this deal: the other East contenders win, the Houston Rockets win, and the teams that can trade for the Nets’ role players win. On the other hand, the West’s playoff teams lose, as the Suns now have arguably the best Top 2 in the league.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the two teams directly involved here. What does this trade mean for the Nets, and did they get enough for Durant? And did the Suns give up too much, or can they still win the title with the team they have now? Let’s dive in.