The secret in the NBA is out: Kevin Durant has officially joined the Houston Rockets, now leaving the Phoenix Suns with just a fraction of what they originally traded for him.
The Rockets acquired Durant through a deal involving the 2025 NBA Draft along with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and five second-round picks. According to reports, Houston secured the deal despite interest from the Miami Heat, reuniting Durant with Rockets coach Ime Udoka, whom he worked with during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
As Durant approaches his 37th birthday, he’s still a top-tier shooter. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, boasting a 43% success rate from beyond the arc and an impressive 64.2% true shooting percentage. Although the Rockets finished second in the West with 52 wins, they faced an early playoff exit against the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant Trade Analysis
The Rockets have been strong defensively and on the boards, but their offense has lagged—ranking 12th in offensive rating, 27th in three-point shooting, and 21st overall. Durant instantly improves all those areas.
Even late in his career, Durant remains an elite spot-up shooter. His height, coupled with a remarkable wingspan, allows him to shoot effectively over defenders. Last season, only Zach LaVine had as many attempts as Durant but with a higher three-point percentage.
His mid-range game is also noteworthy; he’s shooting 53.7% from that area, placing him in the top 4% of the league. While he could benefit from taking more threes, his ability to score from mid-range is invaluable for Houston, especially in playoff scenarios where scoring diversity is crucial.
The Rockets didn’t sacrifice much in this trade. Green has a $105 million contract remaining and has struggled with efficiency since becoming a pro. By swapping him for Durant, Houston made a clever move, especially since they kept their core young talent intact. Notable players like Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. were not included in this deal.
Some might argue that the ideal player for the Rockets would be a shot creator rather than just a finisher. Still, adding a shooter of Durant’s caliber without relinquishing key assets was a smart play. It was surprising that Durant didn’t fetch a heavier price tag like previous trades have indicated. The question now is what will happen with his contract as he enters the final year, seeking a $120 million maximum extension over two years.
It’s tough to gauge Durant’s impact at this stage in his career, but his shooting remains a solid asset. The Rockets are certainly better off now while trimming away less favorable contracts.
Grade: A
Analysis of the Kevin Durant Trade for Phoenix
The Suns struggled to trade Durant as effectively as they had acquired him. After failing to make the playoffs despite having one of the highest payrolls in history, their best option might have been to trade Devin Booker for a more substantial return, yet they chose to hold onto him. The outcome of Durant’s trade has cast a shadow over their future prospects.
Green’s performance has been questionable, particularly before March of this year. He tends to take poor shots, and his defensive skills leave much to be desired. As a second overall pick in 2021, he’s only shooting 34% from three in his career. Now, the Suns have yet another shooting guard on their roster alongside Booker and Bradley Beal.
The No. 10 pick in this trade was initially theirs, potentially allowing them to target Michigan State guard Jace Richardson. It’s perhaps the best outcome of this deal for Phoenix. Even though insiders indicate they might try to retain Green and Brooks, it’s clear that they are unlikely to find much joy in this arrangement anytime soon.
The inability to secure Shepherd as part of the deal is disappointing for the Suns. With no first-round draft picks until 2032 and burdensome contracts still hanging over them, they find themselves in a precarious situation. Paradoxically, refusing to trade Booker for better assets might have boxed them into a corner.
Competing in the West doesn’t seem feasible for Phoenix in the near future. It’s likely that Booker will sign a hefty extension, complicating matters further as he ages. The Suns could hardly be in a worse position, having overpaid for Durant and penned a troublesome deal with Jusuf Nurkic. Their salvation now hinges on nailing this No. 10 pick.
The Suns originally traded four unprotected future first-round picks, along with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, to acquire Durant. They only managed to win one playoff series with him and faced early exits in both 2024 and 2025. Under new ownership, the franchise made a bold move for KD but has since faced significant setbacks. Now, they appear to be stuck in a desolate phase in their franchise history.
Grade: D
