Photo of Lukhanyo Gqokoma

Kevin Durant heads to Houston in stunning trade

1y By Lukhanyo Gqokoma

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.

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.

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.

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.

Terms can be agreed for NBA moves but cannot be finalised until the moratorium ahead of the new league season ends in July.

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.

Durant had sought a trade to Miami, Houston or San Antonio and got a club on his wish list.

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.

Durant will fit into a Rockets line up boasting Turkish big man Alperen Sengun and guard Fred VanVleet.

Durant has 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.

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.

Brooks was one of the NBA’s top defenders last season.

Durant joined Phoenix in February 2023 in a trade with Brooklyn that cost the Suns three players and four first-round draft picks.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Chris Coduto/Getty Images

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