The NBA landscape flipped on its head just hours away from the first NBA Finals Game 7 in a decade.
The Suns traded 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The No. 10 pick the Suns acquired in the trade was originally Phoenix’s pick, which they traded to the Nets in exchange for Durant. Houston acquired the pick via a swap in a trade with Brooklyn last year.
There had been growing speculation for weeks that Durant, who will turn 37 before the start of next season, would be traded after Phoenix finished last season with a 36–46 record and missed the playoffs.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the trade will not be finalized until July 6 due to a restriction in Green’s rookie extension.
Rockets Go All-In
Houston was one of the surprise young teams this past season. The Rockets claimed the No. 2 seed in the West despite finishing in the bottom third of the league in age of its players by minutes played, according to NBAage.com. Only nine other teams—including the Thunder at 25.1—had a younger average age than the Rockets (25.2 years) in that category.
But the Rockets were upset in seven games in the first round of the playoffs by the veteran-laden Warriors (who had an average age of 29.1 for comparison). The team’s youth showed, particularly in their late-game offense, and the team will likely look at Durant, the No. 7 all-time leading scorer, to plug that hole.
It is important to note that Durant has just one year, $54.7 million remaining on this contract. However, Charania reported last week that Houston was one of Durant’s top trade destinations (along with San Antonio and Miami), making it more likely that the two-time Finals MVP could agree to a long-term extension with the Rockets.
Houston also kept two of its key young pieces in the deal: All-Star center Alperen Şengün, who turns 23 next month, and 22-year-old Amen Thompson.
The Rockets are projected to just miss the second-apron threshold of $207.8 million with $205 million in salary next year, according to Marks.
Suns Pivot Again
The trade signifies the end of the Phoenix’s Durant experiment after just two and a half years. The Suns are now starting again with 28-year-old Devin Booker as their centerpiece, giving him a younger running mate in Green, whose three-year, $105.3 million contract starts next season.
Phoenix has limited options in retooling its roster due to trading most of its draft capital in separate deals back in 2023 to acquire Durant and Bradley Beal. They were also a second-apron violator this year and are projected to stay in the second apron next year. Beal’s contract, which has two years and $110.8 million remaining, is one of the biggest anchors on the team’s flexibility because it includes a no-trade clause.
Green could’ve been a piece the Suns could use to acquire more assets, especially since the guard plays the same position as Booker and Beal. But Phoenix will reportedly keep Green, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
The Suns will enter next season with their fourth head coach in four seasons after hiring Jordan Ott earlier this month.
