Kevin Durant to leave Warriors and sign with the Brooklyn Nets
Jun 30, 2019, 2:30 PM | Updated: 2:38 pm
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Elie Okobo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The load in the Pacific Division of the NBA just got considerably lighter for the Phoenix Suns.
Kevin Durant is expected to leave the Golden State Warriors and sign with the Brooklyn Nets, as reported by 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro. There he is expected to join forces with former Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, who according to multiple reports is also planning to sign with the Nets.
Durant is expected to miss significant time if not all of next season as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury.
He was also linked to signing with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers, the latter of which would have kept him in the Suns division.
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The Warriors have won the Pacific Division each of the last five seasons, but with the subtraction on Durant a window may be open for a new team to take its place.
The star-power in the division isn’t expected to take too much of a hit as the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have a deal in place to acquire forward Anthony Davis in a trade when free agency begins.
The last time the Suns won the Pacific Division was in 2007 when the team finished with a 61-21 record.
As for the Nets, they were also expected to land free agents Kyrie Irving and Deandre Jordan when the period opens on Sunday afternoon.
The roster rollover in Brooklyn should free up all-star point guard D’Angelo Russell, who is set to become a restricted free agent.
Russell has been linked to the Suns because of his close connection with friend Devin Booker and the Suns need for a point guard.
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