The Phoenix Suns gave up hauling Kevin Durant to land, and those assets benefited multiple teams.
Superstars’ big hit trades are always hits or misses. For the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant, that was definitely a mistake.
Kevin Durant didn’t play badly for the Suns at any time, but after giving up a large part of their rotation, they weren’t short on as a team. This year, they were unable to even reach the Play-In Tournament in 2024-25.
The February 2023 contract was intended to bring the Phoenix Suns back to the NBA Finals. Instead, they settled on the second round exit, the first round exit, and missed the playoffs in a row.
We know how things ended for Durant and the Sands. But what about all the players and assets the Suns gave up due to their previous MVP?
For those who have forgotten, this is a trade package the Suns sent to the Brooklyn Net, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers to Kevin Durant.
| What the Phoenix Suns traded for Kevin Durant |
| Mikal Bridge Cam Johnson Je Crowder 2023 First Round Pick 2025 First Round Pick 2027 First Round Pick 2028 First Round Pick Swap 2029 First Round Pick |
However, in the years since the transaction took place, all these assets have discovered different assets. More details are explained below.
Mikal Bridges has been in a strong first year with the Brooklyn Nets, making him his first choice and even helped him take him to the first round of the NBA playoffs.
However, when the New York Knicks called, the net decided to say goodbye to the bridge and even more maximize their trade haul by moving him for the six first-round picks and cap-paying players.
With the Knicks, Bridge reached the Eastern Conference Finals and played a pivotal role for the team before he was ultimately beaten by the Indiana Pacers.
Cam Johnson has also become a key player for the Brooklyn Net. In the aftermath of the Michal Bridge trade, Johnson became the net’s first choice.
He had a strong season with an average of 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. These strong performances have made Johnson a trade target for many teams this offseason.
Johnson is unlikely to appear in the net at the start of a new season. Where he ultimately ends is a huge concern for some NBA teams.
Je Clauder left the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant trade and joined the Milwaukee Bucks. He played there until the end of the 2023-24 season, taking part in two playoff runs.
Since then, he has signed with the Sacramento Kings a month after the 2024-25 NBA season. However, he only played 10 games for the Kings, including the play-in game.
It is still unknown where Crowder will end next season. The king may choose to keep him, but there is no certainty in the franchise as they are undecided about their future.
The Phoenix Suns sent four first round picks and a pix swap online. The net used the first round pick in 2023 to land Noah Crowney on the 21st pick.
As for the 2025, 2027 and 2029 picks, Brooklyn Net has re-acquired the 2025 and 2026 first round picks in exchange for the Houston Rockets, and the 2029 pick has become part of a four-team swap between Net, Rocket, Mavericks and the Suns.
The first round of 2028 pix swap was expanded and included the New York Knicks.
The Phoenix Suns are about to trade Kevin Durant this offseason. Brian Windhorst confirmed that Durant trade is effectively guaranteed.
Houston is the most likely landing spot, as he wants to see the Suns trying to rebuild a draft pick from the rocket.
Devin Booker is still set to stay in the Sun for a long time, so they have to prioritize the future. However, some other teams have also been repeating Durant’s moves.
Kevin Durant Saga will have been attracting a lot of attention this offseason.