By David Bernauer – Cronkite NewsOn his first day on the job, the new Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner pulled off arguably the biggest trade in Phoenix sports history by bringing in future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.
With Ishbia’s blessing, Suns general manager James Jones worked the trade to land Durant and former Suns swingman T.J. Warren. The Brooklyn Nets received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 and the right to swap picks in 2028 in return.
The Suns now employ a fearsome foursome of Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. The first three all have cases to make the Hall of Fame. The Suns are fifth in the Western Conference but could soon ascend to the top of the standings if all goes according to plan. If the team’s expectation coming into the season wasn’t already to win a championship, it is now after trading for a player of Durant’s caliber.
The trade marks the final domino to fall in the collapse of the short-lived Brooklyn Nets super team that once featured James Harden, Irving and Durant. Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers at last year’s deadline.