Revisiting Brooklyn Nets' blockbuster trades of Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Durant

Upon the completion of the two remarkable deals, Brooklyn created a bright future to look forward to.

One year ago, the Brooklyn Nets were in the limelight of the league's trade period in which they boldly pulled the trigger and sent both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving away to the West Conference. The separate blockbuster deals officially concluded the embattled arc in the franchise's history in which the organization's past three and a half seasons were filled with misery, disappointment, and controversies.

ESPN Senior Writer Kevin Pelton revisited the two groundbreaking transactions made by Brooklyn last 2022-23 and provided a revised grading and assessments for them.

Kevin Durant to Phoenix

Suns received: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren

Nets received: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, 2028 pick swap

Suns’ original grade: A

Suns’ new grade: B

Nets' original trade: B

Nets' new grade: A

Pelton argued that the Suns' second-round exit in last year's playoffs against the eventual world-champion Denver Nuggets proved to be a major swing on the downgrade that he carved for the club. Nevertheless, he didn't deny the fact that the KD acquisition still allows Phoenix to remain in prime in contending for a championship in a significant stretch.

On the other hand, Pelton believes that Brooklyn gained better momentum on the KD trade as Phoenix will continue to get restricted from their contending plans in the wake of the Bradley Beal acquisition, which made their second apron restrictions strict. While the Nets are struggling this season, they still have plenty of reasons to be optimistic as they were able to set up for their future with the boatload amount of draft picks they gained at the expense of Durant's departure.

Kyrie Irving to Dallas

Mavs received: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris

Nets received: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, two second-round picks

Mavs' original grade: D

Mavs' new grade: D

Nets' original trade: B+

Nets' new grade: B

The Mavericks' progress stagnancy before and after the Kyrie trade just made their grading as it is. Despite Irving's landing last year, Dallas evaded the idea to contend and embraced a notable dubious tanking that allowed them to net rookie Dereck Lively II. This season, they are yet to show significant signs of being a contender, as Irving's injury barred him from 22 games of play.

Irving's eventual new contract partnership with the Mavericks slightly impacted the Nets' grading of Pelton. Not to mention, neither Spencer Dinwiddie nor Dorian Finney-Smith have been able to deliver significant contributions to help their turnaround plans this year. Despite these, their gaining of Dallas’ 2029 unprotected pick will always stand as a coveted piece of the transaction.

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