The Houston Rockets acquired the offensive superstar they were missing in this year’s postseason, trading with the Phoenix Suns for superstar forward Kevin Durant.
Durant was participating in a live panel during Fanatics Fest in New York City on Sunday, June 22, when one of the interviewers told him in front of the crowd that the Suns had traded him to Houston. Durant’s three preferred destinations included the Rockets, along with the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.
The result was cameras catching in real time an NBA player’s reaction to getting traded, which is a rarity even in the age of ubiquitous social media.
“We’re gonna see man,” a smiling Durant said into the microphone, attempting to speak over a boisterous crowd. “We’re gonna see.”
Rockets Got Good Deal in Trade With Suns for Kevin Durant
Getty Kevin Durant, formerly of the Phoenix Suns, is now a member of the Houston Rockets.
Not only did the Rockets acquire Durant on Sunday, the kind of offensive engine they were missing in their seven-game first-round playoff defeat to the Golden State Warriors earlier this year, but they didn’t have to give up an exorbitant amount to land the former MVP.
Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news of the trade and its details via social media.
“BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted to X.
Durant has just one year remaining on his current contract, though he indicated that if he landed in a desired destination he would be willing to ink an extension. He can do so this summer in Houston for two years and approximately $120 million.
The Rockets, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs this year, should now be capable of challenging the conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the seasons ahead. The Thunder will square off against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
Suns Intend to Keep Jalen Green on Roster After Kevin Durant Trade
GettyJalen Green, formerly of the Houston Rockets, is now a member of the Phoenix Suns.
One of the primary questions in Phoenix following the blockbuster trade was what the Suns intend to do with Green, an offensive star with a career average north of 20 points per game who will play his fifth NBA season in 2025-26 at the age of 23.
The Suns reportedly made that rather considerable decision within an hour of acquiring Green in the deal.
“The Suns do not plan to trade Jalen Green,” John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix reported via X. “He is expected to play alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt.”
Green remains under contract for the next three seasons, though he has a $36 million player option ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.
Meanwhile, Brooks should add some defensive prowess to the Suns’ lineup next season after the team missed the playoffs this year.
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