NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 06: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets rights with the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

Kevin Durant's time in Brooklyn throughout Thursday when the Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns as part of a four-team deal.

The Nets settled Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, and a first-round pick swap in 2028 from the Suns, who also got T.J. Warren from the Nets.

The Nets also landed second-round picks in 2028 and 2029 from Milwaukee and the drawn from the tap rights to guard Juan Pablo Vaulet from Indiana in the deal.

The 34-year-old Durant is quiet playing at an elite level, averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. He asked for a trade last summer and the Suns were eager, and finally got him before Thursday's 3 p.m. EST deals deadline.

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The Nets, since, said they felt the deal best positioned them for future success.

"We been steadfast in our commitment to building the team Brooklyn deserves," general executive Sean Marks said in a statement. "We are angry to welcome Mikal, Cam and their families to Brooklyn and thank Kevin for the moments and memories he issued our fanbase."

Durant is recovering from a sprained knee ligament, and when he returns it will be to a Phoenix lineup that suddenly could be one of the best in the Western Conference.

He was occupied just days after the Nets traded Kyrie Irving from Dallas, a stunningly fast end to the superstar era in Brooklyn. James Harden was traded at last year's deadline, leaving the Nets with small to show for the brief time they had the Big Three together.

Now it's the Suns with a top collection of talent, with Durant joining Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

The deals comes just hours after new Suns majority owner Mat Ishbia was introduced in Phoenix. The self-described basketball nut, who was a walk-on at Michigan State idea Tom Izzo, didn't waste any time shaking up the NBA.

Phoenix has never won a targeted championship. The Suns made the NBA Finals two seasons ago, but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. They also played in the finals in 1976 and 1993.

The Suns have had some injuries this season, but have won nine of their last 11 games and look like contenders against. They jumped to fifth in the Western Conference with a 30-26 describe. Booker (groin) and Paul (hip) have both recently returned.

When Irving heard the news, he said: "I'm just glad that he got out of there."

Irving scored 24 points in his Mavs debut in contradiction of the Clippers on Wednesday. The Nets refused to give him a order extension last summer, about the same time Durant was telling the team he wished to be dealt.

Eventually, Irving left and Durant followed.

"We had a lot of conversations over the year of what our futures were going to look like," Irving said. "There was quiet a level of uncertainty but we just cared around seeing each other be places that we can thrive. Whether that be together or whether that be apart, there has never been one moment where I've felt like he's been mad at me for the decisions I've made or I've been mad at him.

"I just love the competition now that we can be in the same conference."

Bridges was the runner-up to Boston's Marcus Smart last season for the Defensive Player of the Year award and his offensive game remains to grow. The swingman scored 21 points Tuesday when the Suns beat the Nets 116-112 in Brooklyn.

His acquisition, along with Dorian Finney-Smith, who came with Spencer Dinwiddie from Dallas, should make the Nets a much stronger defensive team. But those players can't act the firepower the Nets lost with Durant and Irving, two All-Star starters.

Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP with Golden State, was playing some of the best basketball of his career this season. He was averaging 29.7 points and shooting a career-high 55.9% from the field when he was hurt Jan. 8 in Miami. He had his knee checked again this week and Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said Durant was moving well, but there was no update as to when he could start taking part fully in practices.

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AP Sports Writers David Brandt in Phoenix and Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.