The Phoenix Suns are trading superstar forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Durant, 36, leaves Phoenix after averaging 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks with 52.7/42.7/84.7 shooting splits over the last two-and-a-half seasons.
The Suns had long searched for a new home for Durant, who attracted significant interest dating back to the midseason trade deadline.
However, Phoenix reportedly had to lower its asking price after struggling to find a trade partner for the four-time scoring champion. Durant was also apparently partial to specific teams amid the discussions; the 15-time All-Star reportedly preferred the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, or Miami Heat and said he would be open to a subsequent long-term deal if he landed on any of the three.
The former MVP’s career 27.2 points per game is the third-highest mark among active players behind only Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid. He’s also registering seven rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 blocks, and one steal per outing throughout a 17-year career while falling just short of the 50/40/90 club with 50.2/39/88.2 splits.
Injuries have curtailed the two-time NBA champion in recent years, though. He missed the entire 2019-20 season due to the torn Achilles he sustained in the 2019 Finals with the Golden State Warriors and has missed significant time in nearly every season since. The 2023-24 campaign, his first full year in Phoenix, was the only season in which Durant played at least 65 contests since returning from his Achilles tear.
Green is the centerpiece of Phoenix’s return, and leaves Houston after four seasons. The 23-year-old was a constant presence for the Rockets, appearing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons. The G League Ignite product and former No. 2 overall pick averaged 20.1 points across four seasons and earned NBA All-Rookie first team honors in 2022.
Brooks spent the last two campaigns in Houston and was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team in 2023. The Canadian wing averaged 14 points and 3.7 rebounds last season for the Rockets.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Toronto Raptors all pursued Durant despite their absences from his wish list, according to Charania.
You can view the original article HERE.
