The Houston Rockets have secured NBA star Kevin Durant in a major trade deal finalized on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the arrangement. The deal sends Durant from the Phoenix Suns to Houston as the Rockets aim to strengthen their squad with the 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist.
To complete the trade, Houston is sending Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and six future draft selections to Phoenix, including the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming first round of this year’s draft. The information was shared on the condition of anonymity, as the trade still awaits final approval from the NBA.
Durant’s move ends weeks of speculation and reunites former teammates
The transfer concludes several weeks of speculation about Durant’s next destination, with multiple teams such as Miami and Minnesota having expressed interest. Ultimately, the Phoenix Suns agreed to the Rockets’ offer.
This trade reunites Durant with Jeff Green, a former teammate from their Seattle SuperSonics days, now with the Houston Rockets. Green, who has spent the last two seasons in Houston, is set to become a free agent this offseason but has shown interest in staying. Durant and Green remain the only active players who have appeared for the defunct Sonics franchise.
Fans first learned about the trade while Durant was attending Fanatics Fest NYC in New York. Upon seeing the crowd’s reactions to the news, the NBA star smiled broadly and said from the stage,
“We’re gonna see, man, We’re gonna see.”
—Kevin Durant, NBA Player
Durant’s impact and background as he joins the Rockets
Durant’s arrival is expected to be transformative for the Rockets, who finished second in the Western Conference this past season, trailing 16 games behind top-seeded Oklahoma City. The team now adds a two-time NBA champion and prolific scorer to its young core, aiming for a stronger performance in the next season.
In the 2023–24 season, Durant averaged 26.6 points per game during his 17th NBA year, excluding one season lost to injury. Over his entire career, the 6-foot-11 forward has averaged 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
This trade brings Durant back to Texas, where he played college basketball for the University of Texas Longhorns. He was the NCAA college player of the year before entering the NBA in 2007 as the No. 2 overall draft pick, selected by the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Houston Rockets will mark Durant’s fifth NBA franchise, following the SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. Durant won two NBA championships with Golden State in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, he made history last summer in Paris as the leading U.S. Olympic basketball scorer and the first American male to win four Olympic gold medals.
Career achievements and contract details
Durant is distinguished as a four-time NBA scoring champion and a two-time NBA Finals MVP, joining a select group of eight players with over 30,000 career points, a milestone he reached in February 2024.
Durant’s contract guarantees him roughly $50 million for the upcoming season. He is slated to become a free agent in 2026.
Durant’s departure from Phoenix ends mixed tenure
Durant’s exit from the Suns was anticipated after an unfulfilled two and a half years in Phoenix. Despite joining a team featuring star guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Durant struggled to achieve significant team success.
He was acquired by Phoenix from Brooklyn in a complicated four-team deal at the 2023 trade deadline. The Suns’ new owner, Mat Ishbia, had purchased the franchise for about $4 billion shortly before. To secure Durant, Phoenix sent promising young players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four future first-round draft picks, to Brooklyn.
Broader implications and future outlook for Houston
With Durant joining a Rockets team eager to contend, the Western Conference landscape could see substantial shifts. Houston’s blend of experienced stars and youthful talent suggests the team is poised to challenge the conference leaders in the seasons ahead.
Durant’s partnership with business associate Rich Kleiman through their media company, Boardroom, highlights his off-court ventures, while his on-court skills are expected to elevate Houston’s competitiveness significantly.
Commissioner Adam Silver recently provided updates on NBA expansion, signaling continued growth and evolution of the league, which may influence future trades and team dynamics.