The Kevin Durant trade saga has finally reached its dramatic conclusion. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to send two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a massive blockbuster deal. In return, Phoenix receives Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks.
Trade Details:
Houston Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 No. 10 pick, Five second-round picks
The move ends months of speculation surrounding Durant’s future. Ever since the Suns missed the playoffs after a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Western Conference, rumors had swirled about a mutual agreement between the franchise and Durant to seek a new destination.
Initially, five teams were reportedly in the mix: Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota, and New York. But Durant eventually signaled a willingness to sign a long-term extension with only three of them: the Rockets, Spurs, and Heat.
The Spurs were at one point considered frontrunners. Reports emerged suggesting Durant viewed San Antonio as his “next destination,” and the Spurs prepared a package that included the No. 14 pick and two promising young players. But Phoenix rejected that offer, and as trade talks advanced, Houston’s patient approach ultimately paid off.
The Rockets, who finished 52-30 last season and claimed the No. 2 seed in the West, were eliminated in a grueling seven-game first-round series by the Golden State Warriors.
Despite their early exit, the Rockets had shown enough promise with a talented young core led by Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. However, what they lacked was a proven superstar who could elevate them into serious title contention.
They have that now.
Kevin Durant, even at age 36, is still one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season while shooting an absurd 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc.
He brings championship pedigree, veteran leadership, and clutch shot-making to a Rockets team that’s suddenly one of the most dangerous in the league.
For Phoenix, this trade marks the end of their ambitious Big Three experiment with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. The trio never gelled, and the Suns struggled with depth, injuries, and a lack of identity.
Now, they pivot toward a new direction with Jalen Green, a 23-year-old explosive scorer who can help form a dynamic backcourt alongside Booker. Dillon Brooks, a tenacious defender and 3-and-D presence, also adds toughness to the roster.
In addition to Green and Brooks, Phoenix acquires the No. 10 pick in the upcoming draft and now holds three first-round picks and eight second-round picks. That gives them the flexibility to either develop young talent or make aggressive moves to surround Booker with a more balanced and sustainable roster.
But the spotlight now shifts to Houston. With Durant leading the way, the Rockets are no longer a “future contender.” They are a new team, locked, loaded, and ready to challenge for the Western Conference crown.
The NBA landscape just shifted. Kevin Durant is in Houston, and the league better pay attention.
