NBA trade deadline tracker: Kevin Durant traded to Suns; Raptors ...

Welcome to our NBA trade deadline live blog. Below you’ll find all the news, rumours and reaction from one of the most exciting days on the sports calendar — and a potentially busy one for the Toronto Raptors. Stick with us and refresh for updates through to the 3 p.m. trade deadline.

1:10 a.m.: Wake up everyone! Kevin Durant has been traded.

Multiple reports say the Brooklyn Nets superstar has been dealt to the Phoenix Suns.

Heading back to Brooklyn are Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation, according to reports. The Suns were able to acquire Durant and keep their core of Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton intact.

More to come.

12:55 a.m.: The Raptors made the first move on NBA trade deadline day.

Toronto has reportedly acquired centre Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for centre Khem Birch, a protected first-round pick in 2024 and two future second-round picks.

Poeltl was drafted ninth overall by Toronto in 2016 and was part of the trade package that brought back Kawhi Leonard in 2018.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news just before 1 a.m. ET on Thursday.

12 a.m.: As the NBA trade rumour mill churns and his name is more prominent than it’s ever been, he shrugs his shoulders and gets on with his life.

“Obviously my name’s been buzzing around, so I’m sure they’re listening when the calls are coming in,” he said of a Raptors brain trust facing down a 3 p.m. ET Thursday deadline.

“They’re a great front office. Masai (Ujiri) and Bobby (Webster), those guys have earned the trust and respect and certainly have my trust and respect, so whatever happens, happens.”

Read Doug Smith’s full story: Fred VanVleet rolls with Raptors trade deadline drama: ‘Whatever happens, happens’

11:57 p.m. Wednesday: NBA insider Marc Stein has built upon his previous report that the Raptors and Spurs are discussing a potential Jakob Poeltl trade.

According to Stein, discussions have centred on a deal involving Thad Young and draft capital for Poeltl. The Spurs are said to be seeking at least one first-round pick and have interest in Raptors guard Dalano Banton.

Buckle up, Raptors fans.

11 p.m. Wednesday: As if this blog isn’t enough (we promise, it will be worth your while), the Star will be holding a live NBA trade deadline show at 12 p.m. ET on Twitter Spaces.

Hosted by Libaan Osman and featuring Doug Smith, you can listen into the chat on Twitter and will have a chance to ask a question.

Full details on our live show can be found here: Doug Smith answers your questions on Twitter Spaces Thursday at 12 p.m. ET

10:31 p.m. Wednesday: Where will John Wall play next?

The veteran guard is reportedly on his way out of Los Angeles, according to Marc Stein, as the Clippers are looking to trade him. If they can’t? Stein reports they’re likely to buy him out.

10:25 p.m. Wednesday: NBA GMs don’t sleep. Another trade was completed in the wee hours before deadline day as the Knicks acquired Josh Hart from the Trail Blazers, according to ESPN.

The Knicks send a big haul over to Portland for the 27-year-old, including Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, former Raptor Svi Mykhailiuk and a protected first-round pick.

9:20 p.m. Wednesday: While the Raptors have been one of the most talked-about teams in the NBA rumour mill, there’s still no guarantee a deal gets done on Thursday. As Bruce Arthur writes, change is coming but, if the right deal doesn’t present itself, it won’t come this week.

Read the full column here: Thursday is one deadline for the Raptors. It’s not the only one

8:12 p.m. Wednesday: Well, it happened. That Russell Westbrook trade we were hoping would hold off until Thursday did not, in fact, hold off until Thursday.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that a three-team deal between the Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves has been completed. Here’s how it breaks down:

Lakers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt

Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and two second-round picks

Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick

It was also reported that Westbrook is expected to be bought out by the Jazz.

7:51 p.m. Wednesday: The big question in Toronto heading into Thursday is simple: Will the Raptors trade any of their core players?

The Star’s Doug Smith listed off the team’s top trade candidates (Gary Trent Jr., Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam) and broke down why each player may or may not be traded.

Read the piece here: Will the Raptors deal any of their core players? A look at why and why not

7:16 p.m. Wednesday: Could a Raptors-Jakob Poeltl reunion be in the works?

According to Marc Stein, the Raptors and Spurs are discussing trade scenarios that would land Poeltl back with Toronto. The 27-year-old centre was drafted ninth overall by the Raptors in 2016 before being part of the package that was traded to San Antonio to acquire Kawhi Leonard in 2018.

5:16 p.m. Wednesday: While news of Kyrie Irving demanding a trade shook up the entire trade market, it was quickly restored after his move to the Mavericks. Masai Ujiri can thank the Nets for their swift action.

Read Dave Feschuk’s column on why Masai Ujiri holds most of the cards at the trade deadline.

3:45 p.m. Wednesday: We beg you, NBA GMs, save the good stuff for Thursday. A busy week for the Lakers (the Kyrie Irving rumours and LeBron James becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer count as busy, right?) got even busier on Wednesday with reports that Russell Westbrook could be on the move.

Shams Charania of The Athletic tweeted this: The Lakers, Jazz and Timberwolves are in discussions on a three-team deal that would send D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers, Russell Westbrook and draft compensation such as a first-round pick to Utah and Mike Conley Jr. to Minnesota.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting deadline day.