Durant Joins Houston In Record-setting Nba Trade

NBA prima Kevin Durant has joined nan Houston Rockets from nan Phoenix Suns successful a record-breaking waste and acquisition woody involving 7 teams.

The move was first announced past period but was confirmed connected Sunday erstwhile nan league's caller twelvemonth officially started.

The Atlanta Hawks, nan Brooklyn Nets, nan Golden State Warriors, nan Minnesota Timberwolves and nan Los Angeles Lakers are besides progressive successful nan deal, which involves 13 players and respective early draught picks being exchanged.

The erstwhile grounds for nan largest waste and acquisition successful NBA history was six teams, group past summertime erstwhile Klay Thompson joined nan Dallas Mavericks.

Durant, 36, was named nan 2014 Most Valuable Player, won 2 NBA titles pinch nan Golden State Warriors, and is simply a 15-time All-Star.

He besides won 4 Olympic golds pinch nan US hoops team.

"My clip successful Phoenix has travel to an end," he posted connected societal media.

"All these stops on nan travel person really impacted maine successful a affirmative way. Remember it's a world down nan scenes, and those who make things activity successful that space, activity tirelessly to make our lives easier arsenic players.

"I genuinely judge this NBA is simply a 1 large community. Much emotion to Arizona. Houston, Can't Wait!"

Rockets caput coach Ime Udoka said: "His accomplishment level, emotion of basketball, and dedication to his trade person made him 1 of nan astir respected players of his generation, and my unit and I are excited to activity pinch him."

Houston vanished 2nd successful nan Western Conference past play but were knocked retired of nan play-offs successful nan first round.

"One of nan top to ever play nan game, we are grateful for nan effect Kevin made connected our statement and successful our community," Phoenix wide head Brian Gregory said.

"As a personnel of nan Suns, he climbed nan scoring charts to go conscionable nan eighth subordinate successful NBA history to people 30,000 profession points, and we wish him nan champion arsenic he continues his profession successful Houston."

Under nan deal, Houston get Durant and 31-year-old Swiss centre Clint Capela from Atlanta - he started his profession astatine nan Rockets.

From nan Rockets, nan Suns prime up 18-year-old South Sudanese centre Khaman Maluach, who was nan 10th wide prime successful June's NBA draft, arsenic good arsenic guardant Dillon Brooks and defender Jalen Green. The Suns besides get Atlanta helping Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota guardant Rasheer Fleming and Golden State defender Koby Brea, arsenic good arsenic 2 early draught picks.

The Hawks, meanwhile, person David Roddy, cash, and a 2031 draught prime switch from Houston.

Brooklyn obtained 2 early second-round picks and sent a draught pick, guardant Adou Thiero, to nan Lakers.

The Warriors obtained Australian guardant Alex Toohey, who was initially drafted by nan Suns, and defender Jahmai Mashack, nan past prime successful nan draught for nan Rockets.

Minnesota landed 2 early draught picks from nan Suns and 18-year-old Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky, a draught prime from nan Lakers.