Where does Kevin Durant rank among the best power forwards of all time?
Kevin Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a potentially league-altering move early Thursday morning. In return, the Brooklyn Nets received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap while also sending T.J. Warren to the Suns.
But where does Phoenix's newly acquired power forward rank among the best power forwards of all time?
Here's a list of five of the greatest power forwards in league history:
The Suns are sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, a 2028 pick swap for Durant and TJ Warren, sources tell ESPN. Durant wanted move and new owner Mat Ishbia pushed to get deal done tonight. twitter.com/wojespn/status…
#1 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is easily the greatest power forward of all time as he is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history.
While his style of play was not flashy, it was highly effective. In 19 seasons, Duncan won five championships, two MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, one All-Star Game MVP award and the 1997-98 Rookie of the Year award. He was also named to 15 All-Star teams, 15 All-NBA teams, and a record 15 All-Defensive teams.
The Hall of Famer spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.6%.
#2 Kevin Durant
While Kevin Durant received plenty of online pushback for joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016, his resume is hard to deny.
Now in his 15th season, Durant has won two championships, one MVP award, two NBA Finals MVP awards, two All-Star Game MVP awards and the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year award. He has been named to 13 All-Star Teams and 10 All-NBA teams, while winning four scoring titles.
Kevin Durant is fourth in NBA history in scoring average as he trails only Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. The newly-acquired Phoenix Suns star has averaged 27.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.1 spg and 1.1 bpg while shooting 49.8% from the field, 38.4% from 3-point range and 88.6% from the free-throw line.
#3 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett received plenty of consideration for being the second-best power forward of all time due to his defensive qualities. However, Kevin Durant's scoring advantage gives him a slight edge.
Garnett won one championship, one MVP award, one All-Star Game MVP award, and one Defensive Player of the Year award. He was named to 15 All-Star teams, nine All-NBA teams and 12 All-Defensive teams. The Hall of Famer averaged 17.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.3 spg and 1.4 bpg while shooting 49.7%.
#4 Karl Malone
Despite retiring without a championship, Karl Malone slightly edged out Dirk Nowitzki as the fourth-best power forward of all time due to his edge in accolades and statistics.
Malone won two MVP awards and two All-Star Game MVP awards. He was named to 14 All-Star teams, 14 All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams. Malone, who is the third-leading scorer in history (36,928 points), averaged 25.0 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.4 spg and 0.8 bpg while shooting 51.6%.
#5 Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki had a spectacular 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks as he won one championship, one MVP award and one NBA Finals MVP award.
Nowitzki was named to 14 All-Star teams and 12 All-NBA teams and is sixth on the all-time scoring list (31,560 points). He averaged 20.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.8 spg and 0.8 bpg while shooting 47.1% from the field, 38.0% from 3-point range and 87.9% from the free-throw line.