With just a day remaining before the start of the 2025 NBA offseason, the Houston Rockets have acquired 11-time All-NBA forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. With Durant being in serious trade discussions for over a year now, Phoenix finally landed on a destination for the veteran superstar. Despite having multiple suitors, Durant has been a primary trade target for the Rockets dating back to their trade with the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring multiple of Phoenix’s first-round picks in an attempt to bring Durant to Houston. Ultimately, they were able to complete the job ahead of the offseason.
Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant
Suns Receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 Round 1 (#10), 2025 Round 2 (#59), 2026 Round 2, 2026 Round 2, 2030 Round 2 (Via Celtics), 2032 Round 2
Despite being eliminated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in seven games, the Rockets finished 2025 with an objectively successful season, making their first playoff appearance since 2020. Houston was a force in the regular season, finishing with the second seed in a bloodbath of a Western Conference. With emerging seasons from Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün, solid play from veterans, and energizing young players on the bench, Houston has built a solid foundation for a potential star acquisition.
Regardless of their success in 2025, the Rockets needed roster improvements, as extreme half-court offensive struggles plagued them in the playoffs. With the Durant addition, Houston adds one of the best one-on-one scorers in basketball and a legitimate option down the stretch of games. Despite investing the #2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft on Jalen Green, his lack of significant improvement throughout his career and his underwhelming playoff performance made the decision to part ways easier for the Rockets.
For Phoenix, a string of underwhelming finishes to their seasons since 2021 has led up to this trade, marking the beginning of an era of player development under their new head coach and front office regime. Moving Durant was a no-brainer move for the Suns, as keeping Durant in a contract year would have been malpractice. While Houston retained the Suns’ 2027 unprotected first-round pick, they sent Phoenix’s 2025 #10 overall selection back to them in the trade. Any draft capital that the Suns can acquire going forward will be instrumental in rebuilding their roster.
Rockets: A
Houston was in dire need of a go-to scorer when the game slowed down, and they got exactly that in Durant. While KD may not be the best player on a championship team at this point in his career, he’ll certainly elevate the ceiling of this Rockets team, and they were able to buy low on the veteran superstar. It’s hard to dislike this move for Houston, as they bolster their roster with hopes of contending.
Suns: B
While the return for Durant wasn’t nearly as valuable as what they gave up in acquiring him, that was unfortunately always the reality for Phoenix as they held onto him in 2024. Bringing back the 10th pick in the draft was as good a return as they would have received from any suitors, allowing newly appointed General Manager Brian Gregory to add talent of his choice in the lottery. Regarding Green and Brooks, it’s possible that the Suns could shop both acquisitions, specifically Green with his questionable fit next to Devin Booker.
Ultimately, Phoenix did what they could in trading Durant and his depleted value. Houston patiently waited for his availability and acquired it at the perfect time. What the Suns do with pick #10 in the draft will be a determining factor in the outcome of this deal, as well as their decision on keeping/trading Jalen Green.
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