The National Basketball Associations (NBA) trade deadline has just passed on February 9 of the new year. The huge trades that were completed had the NBA community in shock.

To start it off eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving surprisingly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. After a disappointing stint with the team, Irving was looking for a new beginning. The Dallas Mavericks made their move trading quality role players Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney Smith, and multiple draft picks for Irving.

“The day of the Kyrie trade was the happiest day of my life. My two favorite players on the same team, Luka Doncic and Kyrie irving. Man oh man what a time to be alive. They are definitely one of my favorite teams in the league,” senior Nicholas Vinci said.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Utah Jazz were the three teams in the next big move. This three-way trade started off with Russell Westbrook and a few bench pieces going from the Lakers to the Jazz. Furthermore, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Lakers, and then finally Mike Conley to the Timberwolves.

“It was time for the Lakers to move on from Westbrook cause they have been shopping him for so long. It just really didn’t work out unfortunately. I personally think I would have been better on the court than Westbrook because I am a sectional champion. The Lakers will be fine though because Lebron is the greatest basketball player of all time and with these new trade pieces they can win a championship,” Chagrin Falls alumnus Ryan Castelluccio said.

As the trade deadline gets closer and closer to arriving the biggest trade of the year occurred. 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, 1-time MVP, and 2-time NBA champion Kevin Durant got traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns. After Irving was traded from the Nets they decided Durant was the next one to go.

The Phoenix Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four first-round picks with a 2028 pick swap also for Durant and TJ Warren. The Nets gained a great deal of young pieces that will help them in the future. On the other hand, the Suns got Durant who is a veteran that has had championship experience before.

“I think this trade benefits both teams in a great way. The Nets get the players and picks they need for the future. Then the Suns get one of the best players in the league Kevin Durant. This is really a win now move by the Suns and they hope Durant Aka the snake can take them over the top,” Castelluccio said.

Three astonishing trades that have changed the look of some of the top teams in the league. The Suns, Nets, Jazz, Timberwolves, Lakers, and Mavericks hope that their moves can make them a better team than they were before the deadline. An NBA trade deadline that is one to remember for fans around the league.

“What an amazing trade deadline in the NBA. I am super excited to see how the year finishes off in the league and I hope the Cleveland Cavaliers take home the NBA championship,” NBA superfan and Chagrin Falls alumnus Henry Newell said.