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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Terms can be agreed for NBA moves but cannot be finalized until the moratorium ahead of the new league season ends in July.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Durant had sought a trade to Miami, Houston or San Antonio and got a club on his wish list.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Durant will fit into a Rockets lineup boasting Turkish big man Alperen Sengun and guard Fred VanVleet.<\/p>\n
Durant\u00a0has 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.<\/p>\n
“They had a great season last year,” Durant said. “Love their leadership. I felt like I would be a good addition.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Brooks was one of the NBA’s top defenders last season.<\/p>\n
Durant joined Phoenix in February 2023 in a trade with Brooklyn that cost the Suns three players and four first-round draft picks.<\/p>\n
“Always remember my time there, but we’re on to something else,” Durant said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
– No. 2 pick in 2007 –<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In 2016, the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead and lost to Golden State in the West finals.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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