Basketballer Kevin Durant leaves Brooklyn Nets

In the final 24 hours of the transfer window, most NBA teams have reshuffled their rosters, redistributing their playoff favorites. The most spectacular change in the closing stages: Kevin Durant leaves the Brooklyn Nets and joins the Phoenix Suns. The US media had already reported the “blockbuster trade” on Wednesday evening, and on Thursday the teams made the castling official with the participation of a total of four teams. As a result, the Phoenix Suns with the trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul suddenly became the bookmakers’ favorite to win the Western Conference.

According to ESPN, 16 trades involving 49 players and 25 teams were completed in the final 24 hours of the NBA transfer period. Much of this was triggered by Kyrie Irving’s request to change at the end of last week. Instead of continuing to play with Durant at the Nets, the controversial basketball pro wanted to leave – and signed with the Dallas Mavericks for national player Maxi Kleber. There he now forms an impressive pair of point guards with Luka Doncic. On Wednesday night’s debut, Irving impressed with 24 points in a 110-104 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Strong performance from Schröder

Their city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers around national team captain Dennis Schröder, have in turn largely rebuilt the squad. The Braunschweiger continues to play alongside NBA point record holder LeBron James and the second star Anthony Davis. Russell Westbrook, on the other hand, moved away (to the Utah Jazz), as did Patrick Beverly (to the Orlando Magic) and Thomas Bryant (to the Denver Nuggets). Point guard D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves and center Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic will play in the Lakers jersey in the future.

The Lakers are hoping to prevent another year without a playoff appearance with the changed roster. The Suns, on the other hand, are on course for the title with Durant, Booker and Paul and have paid a high price for this: three important role players were given up in Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cam Johnson, and the Suns sacrificed four future first-round picks in talent training. In addition, Durant is still injured, and he should only be able to play again after the All-Star break in a week and a half.

Meanwhile, 25 points from national team captain Dennis Schröder were not enough for the Lakers. Despite a strong performance by Schröder, the basketball team from California lost again. Without the injured star LeBron James, there was the third loss in a row – the playoffs are a long way off after Thursday’s 106-115 (local time) against the Milwaukee Bucks and the 31st loss of the season. The Orlando Magic with the basketball brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner are not yet on the playoff course. There was a 115:104 against the Denver Nuggets – after all, it was the third win in the past four games. The two Berliners scored 22 points together, Moritz scored twelve and Franz ten.