Kevin Durant going to Rockets in blockbuster trade with Suns: report

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News on Jun 22, 2025

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NEW YORK — Kevin Durant is headed to Houston.

In a blockbuster NBA shakeup, the Houston Rockets are acquiring the 15-time All-Star forward from the Phoenix Suns for a package that includes Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in Wednesday’s draft, according to ESPN.

Five second-round picks are also headed to Phoenix in the trade.

Durant, 36, averaged 26.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season, his 17th in the NBA. He shot 43.0% from 3-point range.

The win-now move follows a year in which the ascendant Rockets (52-30) were the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors.

The trade reunites Durant with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who was a Nets assistant during Durant’s tenure in Brooklyn.

Durant was participating in a Q&A at the Fanatics Fest in Midtown when he learned of the trade. He unleashed a big smile on the Javits Center stage.

“Being part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it,” Durant said afterward in an interview with Kay Adams. “Crazy, crazy last couple of weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.”

Durant becomes the battle-tested headliner on a Rockets roster that includes 22-year-old All-Star center Alperen Sengun and another 22-year-old standout, guard Amen Thompson, whom Houston drafted with the No. 4 pick two years ago.

Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet, 31, was an All-Star in 2022.

Durant, who played college basketball at Texas in Austin, said he “most definitely” had a hand in selecting his landing spot.

“They had a great season last year,” Durant said of the Rockets. “I love their leadership. I felt like I’d be a good addition.”

The Miami Heat were among those linked to a potential Durant deal. The San Antonio Spurs, like the Rockets and Heat, were said to be on Durant’s wish list.

The Rockets are the fifth team for Durant, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors and Nets before the Suns. Durant won a pair of championships with the Warriors before signing with the Nets before the 2019-20 season.

Phoenix had acquired Durant from the Nets in a February 2023 trade that sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four first-round picks to Brooklyn.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia envisioned a big three of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal competing for championships, but Phoenix won only one playoff series during Durant’s tenure.

This year, the Suns missed the postseason at 36-46. Ishiba described the season as “disappointing,” “embarrassing” and a “failure.”

That prompted the Suns to explore a reset, with Durant — who has one year remaining on his contract — representing their best trade piece.

Sunday’s deal ends months of speculation about the future of Durant, who was also the subject of rumors before the trade deadline in February.

“They wanted me to go,” Durant said of the Suns. “They got what they wanted, and I got what I wanted. We can move on, and good luck to them going forward. I’ll always remember my time there, but we’re on to something else.”

The Suns’ return for Durant included two starters on this year’s Rockets team.

Green, 23, led Houston with 21.0 points per game on 42.3% shooting and made 234 3-pointers. The guard was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft.

Brooks, 29, averaged 14.0 points per game. The forward made the NBA’s All-Defensive second team in 2023 and has two years remaining on a four-year, $86 million contract.

The trade cannot become official until July 6, when the new league year begins.

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