The Houston Rockets have officially traded for Phoenix Suns Power Forward Kevin Durant. Houston acquires Durant in exchange for sending out shooting guard Jalen Green and forward Dillon Brooks alongside the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five future second-round picks.
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EwrbA2ES9O
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2025
Rockets coach Ime Udoja Udoka and Durant have a close bond that dates back to their time together with USA Basketball and the Brooklyn Nets. Udoka is now among the top-paid coaches in the NBA after agreeing to a new long-term contract extension with the Rockets last week, and rumor has it that he heavily pushed for the Durant deal.
In 62 games this past season, Durant, who turns 37 in September, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. According to ESPN Research, the future Hall of Famer has had the longest NBA scoring run ever, averaging at least 25 points, 50% shooting, and 40% on three-pointers for three consecutive seasons. Durant is still a prodigious shooter, hitting an NBA-high 49.7% of jumpers and 53.1% of midrange attempts. Additionally, according to GeniusIQ, he had the highest shooting percentage (50.9%) among off-the-dribble jumpers.
For the Rockets, Durant is a huge addition because he is a top jump shooter and shot creator who blends in well with the team’s roster. According to GeniusIQ, the Rockets only placed 27th for effective field goal percent among jumpers who did not dribble, and 24th for effective field goal percentage among all jumpers. The Rockets only finished 27th in terms of points per direct isolation this season, despite ranking ninth in isolations per game. According to ESPN Research, Durant topped the NBA in points per direct isolation among players who ran 200 isolations this season. He is still one of the league’s top iso players and a powerful shooter.
The deal, while a good value for the short term, does have negative connotations. In my opinion, Houston is now on a ticking clock, as they have essentially two seasons to make a deep playoff run. A team that was a surprising story last season now has their bar set on the Western Conference Finals at minimum.
Additonally, Dillon Brooks was the team’s best three-point shooter this past season, and although Durant can mitigate that some, I am unsure if he will be able to provide the same energy as Dillion Brooks. See, Dillon Brooks was more than a player for Houston; he was a leader both on and off the court. This deal has to potential to backfire and blow up in Houston GM Rafael Stone’s face, depending upon Durant’s health, fast advancing age, desire for an expensive extension that will see him pushing 40, and mercurial, never-happy attitude.
With all that being said, I want to know your opinions on the deal. Do you like the trade? Do you agree with who Houston gave up? Let us know.