(Photo courtesy of Tom O’Grady)
[By Dylan Kane](https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/people/dylan-kane/)
The Phoenix Suns have traded star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, pick No. 10 in the upcoming NBA Draft and five second-round picks – following a long saga of rumors that began when Durant was nearly traded during February’s trade deadline.
“Being a part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it,” Durant said in an interview with Kay Adams at Fanatics Fest in New York Sunday. “Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.”
The Suns initially acquired Durant in February 2023 in a surprise blockbuster move that saw fan favorites Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder depart from the team, along with four unprotected first-round picks – one of which was their 2025 first-round pick (pick No. 10), which the Rockets acquired in a separate trade and are now returning to the Suns for Durant.
The Suns front office has changed a bit since that deal was made, as then-general manager James Jones has since transitioned into a senior advisor role, with longtime college coach Brian Gregory taking the reins as general manager May 1.
Following a disappointing 36-46 season that featured endless drama, Gregory was tasked with making a Durant trade under significant scrutiny from the NBA world. Despite a laundry list of rumors, mock trades and criticisms, Gregory didn’t show his hand when discussing Durant’s status with the team at new coach Jordan Ott’s introductory press conference June 10.
“Jordan and I have talked,” Gregory said. “Jordan has obviously thought the world of Kevin, has a great relationship (with him), coached him … but when it comes to contract negotiations, player contracts and so forth, we don’t discuss those (with the media).”
Various suitors were linked to Durant throughout the process, most notably the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves – but it was ultimately Houston who sent in the deal that appeased the Suns enough to part ways with Durant.
The rumored dynamic between Durant, the Suns front office and potential suitors had a plot that sounded straight out of a reality TV show.
Durant’s often speculated preference was to end up in San Antonio, but the Spurs didn’t show much interest in breaking up their young core to acquire him. On the flip side, Minnesota was the most aggressive team in pursuing Durant, but Durant had no interest in playing there.
“I’m told Kevin Durant has no desire to be in Minnesota with the Timberwolves,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said June 16.
In the end, Houston was a perfect middle ground, with Durant having them on his list of preferred landing spots and the Rockets having an eager interest in acquiring the 15-time All-Star for the right price.
“Being able to dictate what you want to do and being with a team that values you, I’m looking forward to it,” Durant said. “They asked me where I wanted to go, some of my destinations, I gave it to them and here we are.”
As far as what the Suns were looking for in return, it appeared the organization was looking for a mix of draft capital, an intriguing young player with potential and one or more veteran players that can immediately contribute in a rotation surrounding Devin Booker.
That’s exactly what they got in their return package, but perhaps it was less than what was expected when rumors of conversations between the Suns and Rockets were previously brought up.
Houston was unwilling to part ways with Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard, two talented young players on rookie deals who seemed to be a perfect fit with the current Suns roster. The Rockets also own two additional future Suns draft picks, in 2027 and 2029, and were able to hold onto them despite the Suns desire to want them back on top of their pick this year.
Instead, Green is the centerpiece of the deal. Only 23, Green already has played four seasons in Houston after they selected him with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-4 guard is known for his uber athleticism and scoring prowess – he was a participant in the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest and has averaged 20.1 points per game throughout his career.
However, Green has also struggled with inconsistency, highlighted by an up-and-down series in the first round of the 2025 playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, when he averaged just 13.3 points with a 37.2 field-goal percentage, 29.5 3-point percentage and 66.7 free throw percentage.
Additionally, his future fit in the backcourt alongside Booker is questionable – neither are true point guards, and Green’s defensive ability has been under scrutiny throughout his career.
Still, Green is young and has shown promising flashes that the Suns hope to further develop. Even the Rockets believed in his potential by rewarding him with a three-year, $105 million extension last offseason. Now Phoenix takes on that contract, which can possibly run through the 2027-28 season.
Brooks ends up being the veteran, starter-level player the Suns were looking for in return. The 29-year-old, defensive-minded forward has played eight seasons in the NBA. This past season was his second with the Rockets, in which he started all 75 games he appeared in and averaged 14 points on an impressive 39.7 3-point percentage, while often being tasked with guarding the other team’s best player.
He also brings a reputation that precedes him, often labeled a villain for his on-court bravado and physical style of play. Brooks has embraced this role with unapologetic confidence. From his dust-ups with stars including LeBron James and Draymond Green to his fiery competitiveness, Brooks injects edge and intensity wherever he goes – a personality trait that, for better or worse, will change the culture of the Suns.
Adding draft capital was also a crucial aspect of this deal for Phoenix, as the Suns were handcuffed with the future draft capital before making this trade. For this upcoming NBA Draft2 that starts Wednesday, they now own the 10th pick in addition to the 29th overall pick acquired via a trade with the Utah Jazz that was made during the trade deadline this past February. Beyond that, The Suns don’t have control of their own first-round draft pick until 2032. Adding five second-round picks in this deal replenishes an otherwise barren arsenal of future draft assets that can possibly be used as trade pieces in a later deal.
Now Ott, a first-time coach, will be able to have a more clear outlook on the roster as he begins to implement his philosophy.
“Until the personnel is set, that’s when we can really build it out,” Ott said. “But I think any personnel can play the style of play that I described.”
Meanwhile, for Durant and Houston, a team that won 52 games last season and was second in the Western Conference adds the eighth all-time leading scorer without gutting too much of their young core.
Durant, who turns 37 in September, is still a highly productive player for his age. Now six years removed from a ruptured achilles, he has played in 137 of 164 regular season games in the past two seasons for Phoenix – averaging 26.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in that time frame. His one-of-a-kind shot-making ability will provide a massive offensive boost for the Rockets, whose leading scorer the previous season was Green. Durant’s contract expires after next season, so the next move for Houston will possibly be to extend him.
For the Suns, their attention now turns to Wednesday’s draft with their newfound lottery pick, as well as what to do with Bradley Beal – another expensive star clouded with rumors of a potential trade or buyout.