NBA fans in meltdown as Kevin Durant to Phoenix Suns is confirmed ahead of trade deadline: "Kyrie ends up forcing the rebuild of the Nets"

The Brooklyn Nets are trading Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal to the Phoenix Suns. The Nets will receive Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks, and additional draft compensation, while TJ Warren will join Durant in Phoenix.

Kevin Durant traded to Phoenix Suns, his preferred landing spot last offseason

The Suns were one of the preferred landing spots for Durant when he asked for a trade last offseason. Durant stayed put in Brooklyn after rescinding his request. However, Kyrie Irving's trade to the Dallas Mavericks changed the course of his stance, leading to KD's departure.

NBA fans went into a frenzy as the deal got announced, as no one saw it coming over leading up to the trade deadline. Here are some of the best reactions:

The Kyrie Irving-Kevin Durant era in Brooklyn Nets ends finally

The Kyrie Irving-Kevin Durant era has officially come to an end in Brooklyn. Their tenure together went through major ups and downs. The Nets went from looking like legitimate contenders to a dysfunctional organization multiple times since acquiring the two former champions.

It ended with only one playoff series win in the first round against the Boston Celtics in 2021. The Nets were regarded as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference only a month before Durant got injured.

Since then, Irving demanded a trade and secured a move to the Dallas Mavericks after contract extension talks fell apart between him and the Nets. That was followed by Durant securing a move to the Suns.

The former teammates will now compete against each other in the same conference for two absolute rivals. There's a strong likelihood that they will face off against each other in the playoffs, a box-office moment in every sense.

Fans may not have to wait long to see them on the floor together as opponents for the first time in four years. Irving was with the Boston Celtics, while Durant was with the Golden State Warriors.

The Dallas Mavericks host the Phoenix Suns on March 5th, and that could be the first time Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will go up against each other since their departure from the Brooklyn Nets.

Irving reflected on Durant's move after making his Mavericks debut, saying (via Legion Hoops):

“We had a lot of conversations throughout the year about what our futures were going to look like. There was still a level of uncertainty, but we just cared about seeing each other be in places where we can thrive… I’m just glad he got out of there.”

The two players are now part of teams that have been far more stable than the Nets regarding their operations and how they handle their business on the court.