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

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

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