Washington (AFP) – Two-time NBA champion forward Kevin Durant has been traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets for eight players in a blockbuster deal he confirmed on Sunday. The swap, which can be completed when the league begins the 2025-26 year in two weeks, would send the 36-year-old American to Houston in exchange for guard Jalen Green and swingman Dillon Brooks, as well as the 10th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft and five future second-round picks, according to the report, citing unnamed sources.
The move unites Durant, a four-time Olympic champion with the US squad and the 2014 NBA MVP, with a rising young Houston squad guided by coach Ime Udoka that finished 52-30, second in the Western Conference behind overall NBA leader Oklahoma City. Durant was appearing on a panel at Fanatics Fest in New York when the news broke and told reporter Kay Adams he was happy with the move. “Being part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it,” Durant said. “Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.”
Related news
The Suns had the highest payroll in NBA history but stumbled to a 36-46 season, finishing 11th in the West, with Durant averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocked shots a game. Terms can be agreed for NBA moves but cannot be finalized until the moratorium ahead of the new league season ends in July. Durant has an expiring $54.7 million contract but would be eligible for a two-year extension after a trade, which narrowed likely suitors to the teams where he would sign a longer-term deal. Durant had sought a trade to Miami, Houston, or San Antonio and got a club on his wish list.
The second-round picks in the deal coming to Phoenix include Wednesday’s 59th overall selection, two choices in 2026, a 2030 pick, and a 2032 selection, ESPN reported. Durant will fit into a Rockets lineup boasting Turkish big man Alperen Sengun and guard Fred VanVleet. Durant has a good relationship with Udoka, who signed a long-term deal last week to remain as Houston’s coach. Durant and Udoka worked together with the Brooklyn Nets and on the US Olympic squad. “They had a great season last year,” Durant said. “Love their leadership. I felt like I would be a good addition.”
The Suns will add Green, who averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season to their backcourt alongside NBA All-Star Devin Booker, who had 25.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds a game for Phoenix. Brooks was one of the NBA’s top defenders last season. Durant joined Phoenix in February 2023 in a trade with Brooklyn that cost the Suns three players and four first-round draft picks. “Always remember my time there, but we’re on to something else,” Durant said.
With Durant, the Suns won only one playoff series in three seasons before the swap with the Rockets, who missed the playoffs four years in a row before falling to Golden State in this year’s first round. “Being able to kind of dictate what you want to do and being with a team that values you, I’m looking forward to it,” Durant said.
Durant began his NBA journey as the second selection in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Durant, a four-time NBA scoring champion with the Thunder, sparked his team to the NBA Finals in 2012, when Oklahoma City lost to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. Durant was the 2014 NBA MVP, but the Thunder lost to San Antonio in that year’s Western Conference finals. In 2016, the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead and lost to Golden State in the West finals.
After the Warriors lost to Cleveland in the NBA Finals, several players asked Durant, a free agent, to sign with them. Durant inked a two-year deal with the Warriors, and they beat Cleveland in the 2017 and 2018 finals. Durant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals against Toronto, and he left for Brooklyn the following month. The Nets with Durant never got past the second playoff round.
© 2024 AFP
