Irving, Durant Trades Bolster West Teams—Russell Returns to Lakers

Irving, Durant Trades Bolster West Teams—Russell Returns to Lakers
Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13), forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Kyrie Irving celebrate during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New York on May 22, 2021. Corey Sipkin/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

First it was Kyrie Irving to Dallas. Then came Kevin Durant to Phoenix.

The breakup in Brooklyn is rebuilding some contenders in the West.