In a move that changed the NBA landscape, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to trade 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN on Sunday. The blockbuster deal will send Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and five second-round picks to Phoenix. The trade is expected to be finalized when the NBA’s new league year begins on July 6.
Durant, 36, was on stage at Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center in New York when the news broke. Fans in attendance were visibly shocked by the announcement, with many unsure whether it was a joke until Durant himself nodded in acknowledgment.
For Houston, this deal is the culmination of a years-long rebuild. After winning 52 games under head coach Ime Udoka this past season and finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Rockets are now adding one of the greatest scorers in league history to a talented core.
Durant joins a team that already features 2025 All-Star center Alperen Şengün, rising star Amen Thompson, and veteran guard Fred VanVleet. The Rockets, once a lottery staple, are now firmly positioned as a title contender.
“This was one of the places I had in mind,” Durant said shortly after the trade was reported. “Coach Udoka and I go way back — Brooklyn, Team USA. I knew it could happen, I just didn’t know when.”
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this past season. He also continued his historic shooting efficiency, becoming the only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three for three consecutive seasons. He led the league in jumper efficiency (49.7%) and midrange accuracy (53.1%).
The Suns, who suffered a disappointing early playoff exit for the second consecutive year, are recalibrating their roster around Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. In return for Durant, they receive:
Jalen Green – The 22-year-old guard is a high-volume scorer and former No. 2 overall pick who averaged 19.5 points this past season. Dillon Brooks – A two-way wing known for his defensive grit and perimeter shooting. The No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Five second-round picks: the No. 59 pick this year, two picks in 2026, one in 2030 (from Boston), and one in 2032. A 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected) from Houston.
Suns GM James Jones reportedly prioritized deals that brought back both young talent and immediate contributors. Talks with Miami and Minnesota grew serious, but the unwillingness to part with key young players — such as Jabari Smith Jr. or Kel’el Ware — narrowed the field.
Durant, entering the final year of his $54.7 million contract, held significant influence over the trade’s outcome. His short list of preferred destinations reportedly included the Rockets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs.
The Heat made several offers centered around Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, and draft assets but ultimately balked at including all of them. Meanwhile, Houston refused to trade Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard, instead parting with Green and Brooks to seal the deal.
Durant is eligible to sign a two-year extension following the trade, and all signs point to him doing so with the Rockets, where he’ll chase another title with a versatile and well-coached roster.
This trade marks a seismic shift in the Western Conference. With Durant now in Houston and Phoenix restocking with youth and flexibility, the balance of power may be tilting once again.
For Durant, it’s another chapter in a storied career that has included MVP honors, two NBA titles, and unforgettable moments in Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn, and Phoenix. Now, he’s aiming to finish his legacy with one more run — this time, in Rockets red.
