In one of the most jaw-dropping trade developments in recent NBA history, Kevin Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets has reportedly morphed into a massive seven-team blockbuster, a dizzying ballet of players, picks, cash, and rights that involves marquee franchises like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
According to Fred Katz and Blake Stern, the deal, while centered on Durant’s relocation from Phoenix to Houston, has expanded in scope to reshape multiple rosters and front offices across the league.
Here’s what the reported trade currently looks like:
Atlanta Hawks Receive: 2031 Houston Rockets second-round pick swap (via Rockets), Cash considerations (via Rockets), TPE for Clint Capela
Brooklyn Nets Receive: 2036 second-round pick (via Rockets)
Golden State Warriors Receive: Rights to Alex Toohey (via Suns), Rights to Jahmai Mashack (via Rockets)
Houston Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant (via Suns), Clint Capela (sign and trade via Hawks)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Rights to Adou Thiero (via Nets)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Rights to Rocco Zikarsky (via Lakers), 2026 second-round pick (via Suns), 2032 second-round pick (via Suns), Cash considerations (via Lakers), TPE for Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jalen Green (via Rockets), Dillon Brooks (via Rockets), Rights to Khaman Maluach (via Rockets), Rights to Rasheer Fleming (via Wolves), Rights to Koby Brea (from Warriors), 2032 second-round pick (via Rockets)
Atlanta’s role in this deal is primarily financial. By facilitating a sign-and-trade for Clint Capela to Houston, they offload his salary and walk away with a TPE and future pick flexibility. It’s a quiet win for a team looking to reset around Trae Young and their youth.
Brooklyn’s part is minimal, they essentially function as a conduit to send draft rights (Adou Thiero) to the Lakers in exchange for a long-term future pick. With their rebuild in full swing, every asset counts.
The Warriors make a subtle move here, perhaps banking on development upside. Toohey and Mashack are intriguing young prospects, and this feels like a classic Golden State play: stack up talent and trust the system.
This is the blockbuster. The Rockets land a superstar in Durant to pair with Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun, and now add a defensive anchor in Capela. The price was steep, losing Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and multiple prospects, but Houston is clearly swinging for the fences. A Durant-Capela duo vaults them into the Western Conference playoff conversation instantly.
The Lakers are more of a footnote in this megadeal, acquiring Thiero’s rights, a versatile two-way wing prospect, in exchange for parting with Rocco Zikarsky’s rights and some cash. While minor, it’s a low-risk move that adds depth.
Minnesota stocks its war chest with multiple second-round picks, cash, and an intriguing big man prospect in Zikarsky. They also offload Nickeil Alexander-Walker, clearing cap space with a TPE.
The Suns, after their Durant gamble failed to produce a title, reset with an infusion of young talent. Jalen Green brings explosive scoring, Dillon Brooks brings defensive toughness, and they stockpile intriguing prospects. It’s not a “win-now” core, but it’s a promising new chapter.
In all, this seven-team deal is one of the most complex trades in recent memory, a cap gymnastics masterclass that reshapes contenders and resets rebuilds across the NBA.
