NBA world turned on its head as Kevin Durant part of seven team switch
The final terms of the league's first-ever seven-team trade became official Sunday when the moratorium on transactions ended and the new year began.
New York Post reported six veteran players and 13 draft picks (one first-rounder and 12 second-rounders) were traded straight up while a second-round pick swap and cash considerations were also included.
The final acquisition tally on a trade involving more than 23 per cent of the league's teams looks like this:
Rockets - Kevin Durant and Clint Capela
Suns - Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, rookie Khaman Maluach, rookie Rasheer Fleming, rookie Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden and a second-round pick
Warriors - rookies Alex Toohey and Jahmai Mashack
Hawks - David Roddy, second-round pick swap and cash
Nets - Two second-round picks
Since the acquisition of Durant from the Suns was first agreed to, the Rockets enhanced the deal by adding Clint Capela.
The 31-year-old rim protector is returning to Houston, where he spent his first six seasons before moving on to the Hawks for the last five.
On its surface, it seems foolish that Western Conference title contenders like the Lakers and Timberwolves would be involved in a trade that strengthens the Rockets, who were the No. 2 seed in last year's playoffs but bounced in the first round, and makes it tougher for them to find their own path to the NBA Finals.
But that's just not how NBA mega trades are made.
Odd partners are aligned for salary-cap purposes, or in the interest of acquiring or sending draft compensation to make deals work.
The previous largest trade in NBA history was made last year and was headlined by the Warriors sending franchise icon Klay Thompson to the Mavericks.
Russell Westbrook was part of a five-team deal that sent him from the Lakers to the Wizards in 2021.
The well-travelled Durant has now played for four of the teams involved in the trade, winning two titles with the Warriors before he left for the Nets and was traded to the Suns after a disappointing tenure in Brooklyn.
'My time in Phoenix has come to an end,' Durant wrote on X.
'All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remeber [sic] it's a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.
'I appreciate all the quick interactions with everybody from support staff to teammates distant cousins, it's all a family that I'm grateful to be apart of, no matter what. I truly believe this nba is a one big community.
'Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can't Wait!'
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