Wednesday’s Locked on Rockets show explores many of Houston’s considerations in a potential Kevin Durant trade with Phoenix. That includes the long-term fits of both Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green.
The specifics of Houston’s trade offer for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant have yet to be identified in a report. However, financial analysis from Rockets Wire points to a package headlined by Jalen Green or a combination of Dillon Brooks and either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard as the most likely starting point.
Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer, though negotiations are ongoing.
The Rockets are believed to be on Durant’s list of desired destinations, along with the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat. Furthermore, suitors not on that list (such as Minnesota) are reportedly not willing to bid aggressively without a change in the All-Star forward’s stance.
Since Durant’s current contract expires after next season, his choice to sign (or not sign) an extension carries significant weight in these talks, since many teams won’t risk surrendering significant asset capital if they might lose him as an unrestricted free agent a year later.
So, if that makes a Durant-to-Houston deal increasingly realistic: Would the Rockets be better off with a deal headlined by Green, or one featuring Brooks and Smith or Sheppard? Or, could perhaps both Green and Smith be included if Houston keeps pick No. 10 in the 2025 first round? In theory, that selection could then be used to select a Smith replacement.
Should a Rockets-Suns deal happen, either Green or Brooks would likely be replaced by Durant in Houston’s starting lineup for the 2025-26 season. Durant would be a clear offensive upgrade, though Brooks remains a veteran leader and a dynamic defensive player. At 23 years old, Green still carries scoring upside and at least some untapped potential.
Featuring credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose as hosts, Wednesday’s Locked on Rockets podcast episode explores the latest Durant updates and what could make the most sense for the franchise as negotiations enter the closing stages.
Tune in below!
Another discussion topic is Smith’s looming contract extension, and what role (if any) that uncertainty could have in determining if the 22-year-old is included in a Durant deal. In contrast, the value of Green’s second contract is already known, since entered the NBA a year earlier.
Green and Smith were drafted at No. 2 and No. 3 overall in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Last season, Green was the leading scorer for the Rockets, who finished at 52-30 and with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Smith operated as a versatile forward providing both perimeter shooting and defensive value, though he finished the year as a sixth man after being bumped to the bench in favor of Amen Thompson.
Then again, despite his regular-season success and growth as a player, Green had a very underwhelming playoff run during a seven-game, first-round series loss to the Golden State Warriors.
With the long-term hierarchy still somewhat in question, Wednesday’s episode breaks down many of the considerations for general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka. Those considerations also include the massive age gap between Houston’s young prospects and the 36-year-old Durant, and how much that discrepancy should be factored in amid ongoing negotiations with Phoenix. Stay tuned!