Per ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst, the sticking point in Rockets-Suns trade talks for Kevin Durant appears to be two future draft picks (2027, 2029) that Houston owns from Phoenix. The Suns want those back.<\/p>\n
The Houston Rockets<\/a> and Miami Heat<\/a> appear\u00a0to be the only two teams<\/a>\u00a0who are both on Kevin Durant\u2019s list of desired destinations and actively engaged<\/a> with the\u00a0Phoenix Suns<\/a>\u00a0to get such a deal done.<\/p>\n And between those two, longtime NBA insider\u00a0Brian Windhorst<\/a>\u00a0thinks it\u2019s Houston that could be the most compelling fit. While the terms of a potential deal remain unknown,\u00a0financial analysis from Rockets Wire<\/a>\u00a0suggests 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 for a trade.<\/p>\n Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix\u00a0is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer<\/a>, though negotiations are ongoing.<\/p>\n So, why are the Suns underwhelmed? In a Friday appearance\u00a0on ESPN\u2019s Get Up<\/a>, Windhorst said the sticking point is two future draft assets<\/a> that Houston owns from the Suns and is unwilling to give up for Durant, who turns 37 years old in September.<\/p>\n Among Windhorst\u2019s comments (hat tip Chris Gorman, X<\/a>):<\/p>\n I think Houston is the team that can make the best trade and is also the best spot for Durant. There\u2019s a connection there with Ime Udoka. Ime was an assistant coach for Brooklyn when KD was there.<\/p>\n If Durant ends up in Houston, I think you\u2019ve got a serious contender in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n However, Houston is really not motivated to dip into the stash of picks that they have. Specifically, they have two future Phoenix Suns draft picks (in 2027 and 2029). That\u2019s what the Suns want back. They literally want some of the stuff back that they traded for Durant, which the Rockets went out and acquired from Brooklyn with the possibility of making a Durant trade. But they don\u2019t want to pay that price right now. They\u2019re basically wagering that the Suns\u2019 price will come down.<\/p>\n Time will soon tell as to whether the Rockets are correct in that wager, with a deal\u00a0reportedly possible at any time<\/a>.<\/p>\n To Windhorst\u2019s point, the Rockets finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the West last season, and that was with an elite defense <\/a>and a mediocre offense. By adding Durant, who remains an All-Star forward with elite scoring, it would significantly improve Houston\u2019s biggest weakness.<\/p>\n But given the advanced age, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone isn\u2019t willing to pay an extremely high price, considering that Durant\u2019s NBA prime is likely dwindling. Perhaps that leads to the Suns eventually reducing their asking price.<\/p>\n