OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 5: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game on March 5, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kevin Durant is indeed headed to New York — to play for the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kyrie Irving and DeAndre.
New York just landed two of the biggest basketball stars in the world — and they’ll be playing in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant had long been linked to New York. For months, it felt like the Knicks, but a few weeks ago, when Kyrie Irving began being linked to the Nets, the speculation began that the Knicks may not be the only suitor in the Big Apple. Then, Durant tore his achilles in the NBA Finals, adding fuel to the rumors of where exactly the smooth shooting big man would wind up.
While Durant likely misses the entire 2019-20 season, the Nets have bolstered their arsenal for years to come with the additions of Irving, Durant and Jordan.
Durant was expected to move on from the Warriors before the injury, then some speculated he may take the safer route of a 5-year super-max from Golden State with his future on the court somewhat in question.
This also ends what was a tumultuous two seasons in Boston for Irving, who was seemingly separated from the team early in the season when the roster failed to mesh in the way most expected. Irving now sits in a favorable position, next to another top-5 player in the NBA whenever Durant is able to make his way back on the court.
Deandre Jordan is set to remain in New York after finishing last season with the Knicks following a mid-season trade from the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets should be a competitive team next season even without Durant, returning most of the core that pushed the Sixers to six games last season in the opening round of the playoffs.
This however obviously spells an end to the D’Angelo Russell era in Brooklyn, despite the guard putting up by far the best season of his career in 2018-19. Russell will be a name to watch around the league as the rumors keep swirling.