The Suns engaged in serious talks to move Kevin Durant this week, primarily focused on the Heat, Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, sources said. Several other wild-card suitors emerged as well — including the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets, sources said. But with Durant on an expiring, $54.7 million contract and eligible for a new two-year extension after the trade, the league’s market for him clearly showed his ability to dictate whether he wanted to play for a franchise long term.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Biggest #Rockets question is POA creation now but Şengün, Durant have handled that role plenty and Amen Thompson can now grow into it. They might still have some stagnant offensive stretches, but the late game boost Durant added in particular was exactly what they need. – 1:36 PM
Biggest #Rockets question is POA creation now but Şengün, Durant have handled that role plenty and Amen Thompson can now grow into it. They might still have some stagnant offensive stretches, but the late game boost Durant added in particular was exactly what they need. – 1:36 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
Time for an #InstantReaction
Report from @ShamsCharania – Kevin Durant is being traded to the #Rockets for Jalen, Dillon, 10th pick & 5 2nd rd picks
Now give me your thoughts!!! 🚀🚀 pic.x.com/7DH35fPZBH – 1:34 PM
Time for an #InstantReaction
Report from @ShamsCharania – Kevin Durant is being traded to the #Rockets for Jalen, Dillon, 10th pick & 5 2nd rd picks
Now give me your thoughts!!! 🚀🚀 pic.x.com/7DH35fPZBH – 1:34 PM
Lev Akabas @LevAkabas
The Phoenix Suns just spent $367 million on their 2024-25 roster that missed the playoffs
Then they traded Kevin Durant and they’re still going to be a tax-paying team in 2025-26 💀 pic.x.com/wNXNQg8Xua – 1:30 PM
The Phoenix Suns just spent $367 million on their 2024-25 roster that missed the playoffs
Then they traded Kevin Durant and they’re still going to be a tax-paying team in 2025-26 💀 pic.x.com/wNXNQg8Xua – 1:30 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Kel’el Ware was among the sticking points in the Heat’s negotiations with the Suns that eventually led to Kevin Durant being traded to the Rockets, according to a league source. The Heat was reluctant to include Ware in its offers for Durant. – 1:30 PM
Kel’el Ware was among the sticking points in the Heat’s negotiations with the Suns that eventually led to Kevin Durant being traded to the Rockets, according to a league source. The Heat was reluctant to include Ware in its offers for Durant. – 1:30 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Story: Suns agree to trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for players and picks @washingtonpost @postsports
washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/06… – 1:30 PM
Story: Suns agree to trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for players and picks @washingtonpost @postsports
washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/06… – 1:30 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Who would’ve thought Russ, KD and Harden would all be Houston Rockets at some point in their careers 😯 pic.x.com/NJKcYUYdPN – 1:29 PM
Who would’ve thought Russ, KD and Harden would all be Houston Rockets at some point in their careers 😯 pic.x.com/NJKcYUYdPN – 1:29 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Houston made out like bandits in that a trade. Kept all of their young guys who are worth a damn and got KD. They’ll be a force next season. – 1:27 PM
Houston made out like bandits in that a trade. Kept all of their young guys who are worth a damn and got KD. They’ll be a force next season. – 1:27 PM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
The Heat should have done that.
It’s hard to overstate how bad the East will be next year.
Even if it means both Jaquez and Jovic. Or even potentially Wade.
All three are replaceable assets on the margin.
Durant, Bam and Herro would have been great. – 1:27 PM
The Heat should have done that.
It’s hard to overstate how bad the East will be next year.
Even if it means both Jaquez and Jovic. Or even potentially Wade.
All three are replaceable assets on the margin.
Durant, Bam and Herro would have been great. – 1:27 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
So Phoenix now has the No. 10 pick, a historically light scouting department and a glaring hole at center that the Durant trade didn’t fill.
Teams that are trading centers this summer are licking their lips. At the very least, they’ve found leverage to use against the Lakers. – 1:26 PM
So Phoenix now has the No. 10 pick, a historically light scouting department and a glaring hole at center that the Durant trade didn’t fill.
Teams that are trading centers this summer are licking their lips. At the very least, they’ve found leverage to use against the Lakers. – 1:26 PM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Game 7 of the NBA Finals and I can’t wait for the pregame to open with a discussion of how KD to the Rockets impacts LeBron. – 1:23 PM
Game 7 of the NBA Finals and I can’t wait for the pregame to open with a discussion of how KD to the Rockets impacts LeBron. – 1:23 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Multiple reports say that the Suns are trading Kevin Durant to Rockets in blockbuster deal
@WorldWideWob & @DarthAmin are live RIGHT NOW on NBA Radio Ch. 86 with full reaction.
Tune in: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/rUY8NDDe0o – 1:17 PM
Multiple reports say that the Suns are trading Kevin Durant to Rockets in blockbuster deal
@WorldWideWob & @DarthAmin are live RIGHT NOW on NBA Radio Ch. 86 with full reaction.
Tune in: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.x.com/rUY8NDDe0o – 1:17 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I was really skeptical all offseason about the Rockets trading for KD. I wanted them to take another year to figure out what they really have, and I wanted them keeping the powder dry for someone younger.
But at this price? Shit. No reason not to. – 1:12 PM
I was really skeptical all offseason about the Rockets trading for KD. I wanted them to take another year to figure out what they really have, and I wanted them keeping the powder dry for someone younger.
But at this price? Shit. No reason not to. – 1:12 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
KD all-time ranks:
4th in playoff PPG
6th in PPG
6th in playoff 3P
7th in playoff PTS
8th in PTS
Rocket. pic.x.com/PsKuFF5eoz – 1:11 PM
KD all-time ranks:
4th in playoff PPG
6th in PPG
6th in playoff 3P
7th in playoff PTS
8th in PTS
Rocket. pic.x.com/PsKuFF5eoz – 1:11 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
KD moves:
2016 — Joined reigning 1 seed
2019 — Joined reigning 6 seed
2022 — Joined reigning 1 seed
2025 — Joined reigning 2 seed pic.x.com/qmb1YpgG9T – 1:07 PM
KD moves:
2016 — Joined reigning 1 seed
2019 — Joined reigning 6 seed
2022 — Joined reigning 1 seed
2025 — Joined reigning 2 seed pic.x.com/qmb1YpgG9T – 1:07 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
All smiles for @KDTrey5 as the news breaks that Durant is headed to the #Rockets while he’s doing a Q&A at #FanaticsFest (btw – @FanaticsFest is in New York, thus the crowd reaction). (🎥 @JCMacriNBA ) pic.x.com/81EZ64Z2nZ – 1:06 PM
All smiles for @KDTrey5 as the news breaks that Durant is headed to the #Rockets while he’s doing a Q&A at #FanaticsFest (btw – @FanaticsFest is in New York, thus the crowd reaction). (🎥 @JCMacriNBA ) pic.x.com/81EZ64Z2nZ – 1:06 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Kevin Durant since leaving Golden State:
3 — Times traded*
2 — Playoff series wins
(*including sign and trade) pic.x.com/poNpy3Tro0 – 1:03 PM
Kevin Durant since leaving Golden State:
3 — Times traded*
2 — Playoff series wins
(*including sign and trade) pic.x.com/poNpy3Tro0 – 1:03 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
NBA bombshell: Kevin Durant is joining the Houston Rockets. Jalen Green is part of the trade @Sportando sportando.basketball/en/nba-bombshe… – 1:03 PM
NBA bombshell: Kevin Durant is joining the Houston Rockets. Jalen Green is part of the trade @Sportando sportando.basketball/en/nba-bombshe… – 1:03 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Full ESPN story on the Houston Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade that sends Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft and five second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:59 PM
Full ESPN story on the Houston Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade that sends Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft and five second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:59 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
I have to think that Minnesota had a better offer for KD than the one the Suns took from Houston. – 12:59 PM
I have to think that Minnesota had a better offer for KD than the one the Suns took from Houston. – 12:59 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Kevin Durant trade finally happened. We’re going live on @PHNX_Suns for an emergency pod to sort it all out! Get in here:
youtube.com/watch?v=RPuA4E… – 12:59 PM
The Kevin Durant trade finally happened. We’re going live on @PHNX_Suns for an emergency pod to sort it all out! Get in here:
youtube.com/watch?v=RPuA4E… – 12:59 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Newser here on the massive KD-to-Houston trade, at @TheAthletic , w/ @DougHaller
The Rockets, timeline be damned, are going for it. And the Suns get the competitive pieces they were looking for.
nytimes.com/athletic/64248… – 12:58 PM
Newser here on the massive KD-to-Houston trade, at @TheAthletic , w/ @DougHaller
The Rockets, timeline be damned, are going for it. And the Suns get the competitive pieces they were looking for.
nytimes.com/athletic/64248… – 12:58 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Rockets starting lineup next year:
PG – Fred VanVleet
SG – Amen Thompson
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Jabari Smith Jr.
C – Alperen Sengun – 12:58 PM
Rockets starting lineup next year:
PG – Fred VanVleet
SG – Amen Thompson
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Jabari Smith Jr.
C – Alperen Sengun – 12:58 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The Brooklyn Nets were going to hire Ime Udoka after firing Steve Nash, but that got stopped… so KD reunites with Udoka in Houston
Udoka will be Durant’s 8th head coach in 8 seasons (Kerr, Atkinson, Vaughn, Nash, Williams, Vogel, Budenholzer, Udoka) pic.x.com/8P2XtkZ5y4 – 12:55 PM
The Brooklyn Nets were going to hire Ime Udoka after firing Steve Nash, but that got stopped… so KD reunites with Udoka in Houston
Udoka will be Durant’s 8th head coach in 8 seasons (Kerr, Atkinson, Vaughn, Nash, Williams, Vogel, Budenholzer, Udoka) pic.x.com/8P2XtkZ5y4 – 12:55 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🤯🔄BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round pick! pic.x.com/qIHEIEUKPu – 12:54 PM
🤯🔄BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round pick! pic.x.com/qIHEIEUKPu – 12:54 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
KD back in the state of Texas, Flagg on the way and Wemby in season 3. NBA reporters probably should start making Marriott reservations now. – 12:53 PM
KD back in the state of Texas, Flagg on the way and Wemby in season 3. NBA reporters probably should start making Marriott reservations now. – 12:53 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
That’s a fair deal for both sides. Straight up. But for Houston:
1. This was the best possible Jalen Green off-ramp.
2. You don’t have to worry about drafting someone who’s not going to play next year.
3. Kevin Durant solves a million different on-court problems. – 12:52 PM
That’s a fair deal for both sides. Straight up. But for Houston:
1. This was the best possible Jalen Green off-ramp.
2. You don’t have to worry about drafting someone who’s not going to play next year.
3. Kevin Durant solves a million different on-court problems. – 12:52 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.x.com/EwrbA2ES9O – 12:38 PM
BREAKING: The Phoenix Suns are trading two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.x.com/EwrbA2ES9O – 12:38 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant tweets DeMarcus Cousins’ source, a Phoenix Suns ‘teammate,’ is lying about locker room fights (w/video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 7:51 PM
Kevin Durant tweets DeMarcus Cousins’ source, a Phoenix Suns ‘teammate,’ is lying about locker room fights (w/video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 7:51 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Thunder players with a 30-point Game 7:
— Kevin Durant
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
— Lu Dort
That’s it. pic.x.com/b5FowZJvnz – 4:22 PM
Thunder players with a 30-point Game 7:
— Kevin Durant
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
— Lu Dort
That’s it. pic.x.com/b5FowZJvnz – 4:22 PM
More on this storyline
Barry Jackson: With this philosophy, the Heat wouldn’t/couldn’t come close to topping a Houston offer of a skilled young player who averaged 21 per game (Green), a solid NBA starter (Brooks) and the 10th pick. A source with direct knowledge said Houston’s package was very clearly better; it wasn’t a very close call for Suns. -via x.com / June 22, 2025
Anthony Chiang: Kel’el Ware was among the sticking points in the Heat’s negotiations with the Suns that eventually led to Kevin Durant being traded to the Rockets, according to a league source. The Heat was reluctant to include Ware in its offers for Durant. -via x.com / June 22, 2025
Yossi Gozlan: Kevin Durant can extend with the Houston Rockets for up to two years, $122.1 million starting on July 6. 2026-27: $59.5 million 2027-28: $ 62.5 million He could extend for less to help them build a stronger roster, but have more flexibility to fit it with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone. -via Bluesky / June 22, 2025