On June 22, 2025, the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets finalized a major offseason trade. Kevin Durant, now 36, joins the Rockets in a deal that sends Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five future second-round picks to Phoenix
Durant was visibly taken aback when the news broke—he discovered the trade live on stage at Fanatics Fest in New York City. Caught mid-panel, KD paused, smiled, and said: “We’re gonna see, man, we’re gonna see.”
The move reunites Durant with head coach Ime Udoka, his coach with Team USA and during their brief overlap at Brooklyn. Udoka, fresh off a new high-paying extension, played a pivotal role in pushing the Rockets to pursue this trade
Why This Trade Matters
Houston’s Perspective
- The Rockets finished the 2024–25 season with a 52-win campaign and a youthful core featuring Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jalen Green.
- Adding Durant grants them a proven superstar capable of elevating them into legitimate Western Conference Finals contenders.
- Critics note the risk: Durant’s age, hefty $54.7 million final contract year in 2025–26, and potential tension with the young timeline
Phoenix’s Angle
- The Suns part with aging stars but gain youth, flexibility, and draft capital—although the immediate return package draws mixed reviews.
- Durant leaves as the eighth player in NBA history to cross 30,000 career points, leaving behind a prolific but playoff-failing legacy
The trade officially goes into effect when the new league year begins on July 6, 2025, just before the opening of free agency
Houston now faces a ticking clock: they need Durant healthy and motivated to maximize two peak seasons before he nears 40.
Also keep an eye on how the team assimilates Durant’s superstar role alongside their young talent—balancing egos, play styles, and expectations.
KD Speaks
In interviews with People and media post-event, Durant expressed excitement about Houston as “a preferred destination” and complimented the team’s improving form under Udoka
This is a high-risk, high-reward blockbuster: Houston bets big on one of the league’s best scorers to accelerate their championship timeline, while Phoenix opts to rebuild around youth and assets.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into how this affects team rosters, cap situations, or Western Conference power rankings.
