The Nets had already dealt away Mikal Bridges, Johnson’s close friend who came with him in the Durant deal, to the Knicks last summer in a trade that netted them five first-round picks.

Johnson was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the Kevin Durant blockbuster back in 2023, and he has continued to grow into the team's best player after Mikal Bridges was dealt to the New York Knicks.

The Memphis Grizzlies' haul for Desmond Bane and what the Brooklyn Nets got last year for Mikal Bridges may not be all that instructive toward the return on a Kevin Durant trade.

Phoenix had acquired Durant from the Nets in a February 2023 trade that sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four first-round picks to Brooklyn.

The Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and four first-round picks to the Nets to acquire Durant, only to miss the playoffs each of the past two seasons.

Phoenix gave up a lot to acquire the then-34-year-old, sending young standouts Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four future first-round picks, to Brooklyn.

Phoenix gave up a lot to acquire the then-34-year-old, sending young standouts Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four future first-round picks, to Brooklyn.

Phoenix gave up a lot to acquire the then-34-year-old, sending young standouts Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four future first-round picks, to Brooklyn.