On June 22, just hours before the Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a blockbuster deal reshaped the league’s landscape: Kevin Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. In exchange, the Rockets sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round draft picks to Phoenix. This Kevin Durant trade Rockets Suns move instantly altered the futures of both organizations.
While acquiring Durant added a proven superstar to Houston’s roster, the Rockets parted ways with their leading scorer from the previous season, Jalen Green. Although Green posted solid regular-season statistics—averaging 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists—his playoff performance dipped to 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, which likely influenced Houston’s decision to trade him. Fans across the NBA, especially those supporting the Suns, eagerly awaited Green’s response to the high-profile trade, which he finally shared on July 12 at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Emotional Farewell and New Beginnings for Jalen Green
Speaking candidly on the sidelines of the Summer League, Jalen Green revealed the emotional difficulty of leaving Houston, emphasizing the deep connection he has with the city.
It hurts. Houston is home to me and forever will be home to me. I started my NBA career there, and I have built a lot there, and that’s just the reality of the situation. Obviously, I was sad to leave. It’s a business, though. You’ve got to understand that when you’re coming into the NBA.
—Jalen Green, Shooting Guard
Despite the sadness of departure, Green expressed optimism about joining the Suns. He called the franchise a “great organization” with “great people” and projected that Phoenix would
“surprise a lot of people and make a lot of noise”
in the upcoming 2025-26 season. Green praised the team‘s history of playoff and finals appearances, noting his excitement to contribute to a squad that consistently plays winning basketball.
Jalen Green on Teaming Up With Devin Booker
Among Green’s remarks, his thoughts on playing alongside Phoenix’s star Devin Booker captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. When asked about forming a backcourt partnership, Green confidently stated,
Me and him both, it’s going to be a deadly scoring duo, no matter what the situation is.
—Jalen Green
He elaborated on their complementary skills and shared approach to handling defensive pressure.
We are two people who are gonna accept the double team and be able to play off each other. …. We are two people who know how to score the basketball, we are two people who know how to attract the defense, and everyone’s going to step around us. So, I mean, when we are doing something like that, you have to pick who you want to score tonight.
—Jalen Green
This dynamic duo will serve as the offensive centerpiece for Phoenix. Booker’s recent contract renewal—an unprecedented two-year, $145 million extension—cements his role with the Suns through the 2029-30 season. Meanwhile, Green will enter his first year of a three-year, $105.3 million extension as he embarks on his new chapter in Phoenix.
Building the Future Around Green and Booker
The Suns’ commitment to building around their star guards is evident. The team made important roster moves to support the duo, including drafting center Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a selection they acquired from Houston as part of the Durant deal. This strategy suggests that Phoenix is focused on reinforcing its roster to maximize the impact of this promising backcourt formation.
With Houston acquiring a superstar talent like Durant, the Rockets aim to elevate their championship aspirations immediately, while Phoenix prepares for the 2025-26 season with a refreshed core led by Booker and Green. How this reshuffling impacts both teams will become clear as the new season unfolds.