Kevin Durant is headed to the Phoenix Suns, according to multiple overnight reports.
Per ESPN sources, the Brooklyn Nets have traded Durant and T.J. Warren to the Suns as part of a deal that sees the former receiving Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap.
Among those swift to react to this development was fellow former Nets player Kyrie Irving, who also reflected on discussions the two have had about their respective paths forward.
“I’m just praying for his happiness and praying for his wellbeing,” Irving, who’s now with the Dallas Mavericks, said. “We had a lot of conversations throughout the year of what our futures were gonna look like. There was still a level of uncertainty. But we just cared about seeing each other be places that we can thrive, whether that be together or whether that be apart. There has never been one moment where I’ve felt like he’s been angry at me for decisions I’ve made or I’ve been angry at him.”
Adding that he’s looking forward to getting to see Durant more and playing against the Suns more, Irving continued, ultimately delivering a line about the reported trade that has since been shared far and wide.
“I’m just glad that he got out of there,” he told reporters.
News of the trade comes shortly after word that the Suns had officially welcomed a new majority owner, Mat Ishbia, who recently touted himself as both a “short-term thinker” and a “long-term thinker” in terms of strategy.
Below, see a selection of reactions to the Durant news, which dominated the NBA discourse into the early hours of Thursday.