Kevin Durant traded to the Rockets: Blockbuster deal sends superstar to Houston

The Houston Rockets have landed 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant in a massive trade with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

In exchange, Phoenix will receive guard Jalen Green, forward Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five future second-round pick from Houston.

Durant, 36, is entering his 18th season and remains a dominant force – he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last year, shooting a career-best 43% from beyond the arc. Even only playing 62 games due to injury, he still led the Suns in scoring. His move to Houston comes just in time to bolster their offense, which struggled late in the year.

The deal was officially finalized on June 22, though it won’t be formally completed until July 6 due to the "poison pill" in Jalen Green’s contract, according to Yahoo Sports. Durant learned about the move during an on‑stage appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York – prompting a stunned reaction captured on live video.

ANALYSIS: The Rockets will gain a superstar scorer to complement their young core including Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr.. Offensively, the firepower can fix late-season lapses. The Rockets just ranked 22nd in half-court scoring in the playoffs. Finally, this move reunites Durant with coach Ime Udoka, his former USA and Nets coach – relationships that helped seal the deal. 

For the Suns, they will acquire a future star in Jalen Green, three-and-D veteran Dillon Brooks, a top-10 draft pick, and multiple second-round selections for rebuilding flexibility. They will have also shed Durant’s remaining $54.7 million salary obligation, freeing cap room to make some more moves and reinforce the squad around franchise player Devin Booker. Or, this move could end up being a pivotal step in pivoting from underperformance toward a long-term rebuild strategy in the future.

This is a high-risk, high-reward move for the Rockets: they gain a generational talent without sacrificing their core but trade proven contributors in Green and Brooks, and take on luxury tax concerns. Meanwhile, the Suns get foundational pieces and financial flexibility.

Durant’s arrival instantly raises Houston’s ceiling – expect them to contend if they gel quickly. Phoenix, meanwhile, can ramp up their rebuild with new assets in hand. This trade not only shifts power in the Western Conference but reshapes the trajectories of both franchises.