On Feb. 9, 2023 the Phoenix Suns finalized a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Within hours of coming to power, new Suns owner Mat Ishbia got to work completing the trade, receiving Kevin Durant and sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and several first round picks to the Nets. 

Ishbia was named the majority owner of the team after he purchased a stake of the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix’s WNBA team, at a cost of $4 billion. He bought the stake in late Jan. but was not expected to gain control until Feb. 9, 2023. Ishbia wasted no time and quickly got to work, as the same day he assumed control, Durant was traded.

The news of the deal going through shocked most of the NBA world. There had been whispers about Durant wanting to be traded to either the Suns or the Miami Heat. These rumors started around Aug. 2022, but died down in the months that followed. 

The main driving force of the trade was Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. While they were both starters for the Suns, some view the trade as a steal for the Suns, as they did not have to give up any of their star players. Back when the rumors were running rampant, every trade involving Durant going to Phoenix had Deandre Ayton or Chris Paul going to Brooklyn.

In 2018, the Suns’ rising star, Devin Booker, was interviewed after a surprising road win against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the interview he said, “I’d like to build a superteam. I’d like the superteam to come to me.” 

It is as if Booker saw the future. Ayton joined the Suns in 2018 as the first pick overall in the draft. He has since become a key part of the Suns’ front court. Paul joined in 2020, and has become the field general for the team. With Durant joining the Suns, it completes Booker’s ambition of the superteam forming around him. 

 The public have very high hopes and expectations for the team. The Suns are now the favorites to win the championship. 

The Suns have never won a championship in their 54 years of being established. They have reached the finals only three times, and lost each time. The first time, in 1976, was led by Alvan Adams. The second, in 1993, was led by Charles Barkley, and the most recent time, in 2021, was led by Booker and Paul. 

With the help of Durant, the Suns may finally bring a ring to Phoenix.