ESPN's Brian Windhorst: Rockets with Kevin Durant would be ‘serious contender' in West
Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the sticking point in Rockets-Suns trade talks for Kevin Durant appears to be two future draft picks (2027, 2029) that Houston owns from Phoenix. The Suns want those back.
"I think Houston can make the best trade and is also the best spot for Durant. There's a connection there with Ime Udoka..."- Brian Windhorst[@WindhorstESPN] on KD trade saga🔥🔥🔥🍿🍿🍿Thoughts?#Rockets #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/fS1Ddd3OdN
The Houston Rockets and Miami Heat appear to be the only two teams who are both on Kevin Durant's list of desired destinations and actively engaged with the Phoenix Suns to get such a deal done.
And between those two, longtime NBA insider Brian Windhorst thinks it's Houston that could be the most compelling fit. While the terms of a potential deal remain unknown, financial analysis from Rockets Wire suggests a package headlined by Jalen Green or a combination of Dillon Brooks and either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard as the most likely starting point for a trade.
Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer, though negotiations are ongoing.
So, why are the Suns underwhelmed? In a Friday appearance on ESPN's Get Up, Windhorst said the sticking point is two future draft assets that Houston owns from the Suns and is unwilling to give up for Durant, who turns 37 years old in September.
Among Windhorst's comments (hat tip Chris Gorman, X):
I think Houston is the team that can make the best trade and is also the best spot for Durant. There's a connection there with Ime Udoka. Ime was an assistant coach for Brooklyn when KD was there.
If Durant ends up in Houston, I think you've got a serious contender in the Western Conference.
However, Houston is really not motivated to dip into the stash of picks that they have. Specifically, they have two future Phoenix Suns draft picks (in 2027 and 2029). That's what the Suns want back. They literally want some of the stuff back that they traded for Durant, which the Rockets went out and acquired from Brooklyn with the possibility of making a Durant trade. But they don't want to pay that price right now. They're basically wagering that the Suns' price will come down.
Time will soon tell as to whether the Rockets are correct in that wager, with a deal reportedly possible at any time.
To Windhorst's point, the Rockets finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the West last season, and that was with an elite defense and a mediocre offense. By adding Durant, who remains an All-Star forward with elite scoring, it would significantly improve Houston's biggest weakness.
But given the advanced age, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone isn't willing to pay an extremely high price, considering that Durant's NBA prime is likely dwindling. Perhaps that leads to the Suns eventually reducing their asking price.
More: ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets 'definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant trade
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