Durant in Houston: Star Forward Joins Rockets Amid Draft Week
HOUSTON – Hours before the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016, the league was stunned by breaking news: Kevin Durant has been traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (originally from the Suns), and five second-round picks.
This blockbuster deal comes after weeks of trade discussions surrounding Durant, now 37 years old and in the final year of his contract. Despite the risks, the Rockets made the move, recognizing the need for a consistent scoring threat after their disappointing first-round collapse to the Golden State Warriors.
Durant is coming off a strong season, averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field, 43% from three, and 84% from the free-throw line. His elite efficiency is expected to fill a major void for Houston — a go-to scorer in crunch time.
The Rockets’ new projected starting lineup features Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, and Alperen Şengün — and becomes even taller when Steven Adams checks in for VanVleet. With four of five players standing over 6’7”, this unit could be one of the tallest in the NBA.
Durant has already expressed his admiration for Şengün in the past, saying during an NBA HooperVision stream:
“Sengun. I love Sengun. It confirmed to me when he was dunking on people. I didn’t know he could get up like that.”
The deal also clears the way for Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore to receive more minutes, giving Houston a chance to further develop its young core.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green gets a fresh start with a Suns team already featuring Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Phoenix now has nearly $140 million committed to those three wing scorers — not including Dillon Brooks’ $21 million salary. The Suns have publicly stated they do not intend to trade Green and are expected to roll out a starting five of Booker, Green, Brooks, Ryan Dunn, and Nick Richards.
The Rockets retain several valuable assets in the trade, including the 2027 and 2029 first-round picks and a 2029 pick swap between Dallas and Phoenix, keeping their future draft flexibility intact.
Houston also faces a key decision regarding Fred VanVleet’s team option. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Rockets have until Sunday to either pick it up or decline it. All indications point to VanVleet returning as the team’s lead guard. If re-signed, Houston may still have enough cap space to utilize their full Mid-Level Exception (MLE)to bring in another veteran to address any roster needs.
The NBA Draft takes place Wednesday, June 25, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Barring any last-minute changes, the top pick is expected to be Cooper Flagg, a freshman who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 48% from the field, 38.5% from three, and 84% from the line. Dylan Harper is widely projected to go second, though the team selecting him remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Rutgers’ Ace Bailey has seen his stock plummet after reportedly skipping team workouts and demanding a draft guarantee before even interviewing with clubs. Once listed at 6’10”, Bailey measured just 6’7” at the combine — further hurting his case. Other top prospects include Tre Johnson (Texas), VJ Edgecombe (Baylor), Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma), and Kon Knueppel (Duke).
With the Durant trade, Houston effectively bows out of the first round, having dealt the 10th overall pick. Their only selection now is the 60th and final pick of the draft, acquired via Oklahoma City from a February 2023 trade with Atlanta that sent Bruno Fernando and Garrison Mathews out in exchange for Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and two second-rounders. Potential targets with that last pick include Ryan Nembhard (Gonzaga), Kobe Sanders (Nevada), or international prospect Saliou Niang (Italy).
All eyes will be on the draft stage Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN for the first round, followed by the second round on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.