Kevin Durant traded to Rockets in bombshell deal involving Jalen Green
The Phoenix Suns are trading 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
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Houston is trading the 59th pick in this year's draft, two second-round picks in 2026, Boston's 2030 second-round pick, and their own 2032 second-round pick to Phoenix in this Durant trade. It is unknown at this time exactly which picks the Suns will get in 2026 since the Rockets are trading second rounders that have swap and favorable restrictions tied to them.
Durant, 36, had been the key topic of trade discussions across the NBA since the Suns' season came to an end. After hearing his name involved in trade dialogue near the trade deadline in February, it had become clear that Durant's marriage with Phoenix had come to an end.
With owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory determined to finalize a deal before the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, the Suns ultimately settled for what Houston was offering, despite initially asking for multiple first-round picks and young talents, such as Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard.
The Rockets had made it abundantly clear that they were not going to increase their offer knowing that Durant wanted to join them, and now they add the future Hall of Famer in search of a title.
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This season, Houston claimed the 2-seed in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record. Although they put up a good fight against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, it had become abundantly clear that this team needed a clear upgrade on offense. More specifically, they needed a star player to complement Alperen Sengun's skills and be a go-to scoring weapon.
Durant is that type of player, and he now becomes the focal point of a young team in Houston that has the defensive capability and potential to be a championship-level team.
Rockets win bidding war for Kevin Durant
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
One of the main reasons why the Rockets were a finalist for Durant, aside from their championship pedigree, is the superstar's relationship with head coach Ime Udoka. The two spent time together when Durant was with the Brooklyn Nets and Udoka was an assistant on Steve Nash's staff.
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Since Udoka joined the Rockets, this organization has won 93 games over the last two seasons. They had won only 59 games the previous three seasons before Udoka. As a result, the Rockets made Udoka one of the highest-paid head coaches in the league with a contract extension on Thursday.
Trade talks surrounding Durant had intensified entering the final weekend of the 2024-25 NBA season.
The Rockets, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Minnesota Timberwolves had been the five teams linked to Durant in recent weeks, and the Suns had made it their intention to find a deal that made the most sense before the 2025 NBA Draft. With Durant signaling that he didn't want to join Toronto or Minnesota, neither team pushed all of their chips in, league sources told ClutchPoints.
San Antonio made one offer, but they too were unwilling to increase what they intended to give up for Durant since they were labeled as his top destination. The Spurs are confident in the young core they are building alongside Victor Wembanyama, and they will continue to push forward. Expect the Spurs to be involved in conversations regarding any superstar that hits the trade market.
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As for the Heat, they were highly engaged in trade conversations for Durant entering the weekend. However, the Heat's unwillingness to include future draft picks and young talent like Kel'el Ware ultimately led to Phoenix accepting Houston's offer instead, which provides a clearer path for future success.
Miami did not offer Ware at any point, sources said, instead focusing on a trade package that revolved around Andrew Wiggins and the 20th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Durant, who is still one of the best offensive players in the league, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this past season while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor and 43.0 percent from 3-point range. He immediately makes the Rockets contenders at the top of the Western Conference next to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Related: Kay Adams asks Kevin Durant about recruiting Russell Westbrook to Rockets
Related: Kevin Durant tells Kay Adams 'why Houston' right after trade
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