Kevin Durant is going from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster trade
The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.
The Rockets are giving up Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and six future picks — including the No. 10 selection in Wednesday's opening round of this year's draft — according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.
It ends weeks of speculation about where Durant would end up. Many teams were involved at various times, including Miami and Minnesota, but in the end Phoenix accepted the Rockets' offer.
ESPN first reported the trade.
Fans learned of the news while Durant was on stage in New York at Fanatics Fest NYC, and when they began reacting, Durant started smiling broadly.
'We're gonna see, man,' Durant said from the stage. 'We're gonna see.'
Boardroom, the ever-growing media company that Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, co-founded in 2019, teams up with Fanatics on a number of projects. The panel that Durant was set to appear on there Sunday was called 'Global Game Changers.'
He certainly figures to change the game for the Rockets.
Houston finished No. 2 in the Western Conference in the regular season, albeit 16 games behind No. 1 Oklahoma City. It now adds a two-time champion to its young core as it looks to make another jump next season.
Durant averaged 26.6 points this season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his one year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.
Houston will become his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men's player to be part of four gold-medal teams.
Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time Finals MVP and one of eight players in NBA history with more than 30,000 career points, joining the club on Feb. 11.
Durant is under contract next season for roughly $50 million before becoming a free agent in 2026.
His departure from the Suns was expected and ends a disappointing 2 1/2 years in the desert. Durant never enjoyed consistent team success despite being part of a trio that included star guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Durant was acquired by the Suns from the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team trade-deadline deal in 2023, just days after new owner Mat Ishbia bought the team for roughly $4 billion. Phoenix gave up a lot to acquire the then-34-year-old, sending young standouts Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four future first-round picks, to Brooklyn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
BREAKING: Kevin Durant Traded To Houston Rockets In Blockbuster Deal With Suns
BREAKING: Kevin Durant Traded To Houston Rockets In Blockbuster Deal With Suns originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Kevin Durant trade saga has finally reached its dramatic conclusion. As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to send two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a massive blockbuster deal. In return, Phoenix receives Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. Advertisement Trade Details: Houston Rockets Recieve: Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns Recieve: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 No. 10 pick, Five second-round picks The move ends months of speculation surrounding Durant's future. Ever since the Suns missed the playoffs after a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Western Conference, rumors had swirled about a mutual agreement between the franchise and Durant to seek a new destination. Initially, five teams were reportedly in the mix: Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota, and New York. But Durant eventually signaled a willingness to sign a long-term extension with only three of them: the Rockets, Spurs, and Heat. Advertisement The Spurs were at one point considered frontrunners. Reports emerged suggesting Durant viewed San Antonio as his 'next destination,' and the Spurs prepared a package that included the No. 14 pick and two promising young players. But Phoenix rejected that offer, and as trade talks advanced, Houston's patient approach ultimately paid off. The Rockets, who finished 52-30 last season and claimed the No. 2 seed in the West, were eliminated in a grueling seven-game first-round series by the Golden State Warriors. Despite their early exit, the Rockets had shown enough promise with a talented young core led by Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. However, what they lacked was a proven superstar who could elevate them into serious title contention. They have that now. Advertisement Kevin Durant, even at age 36, is still one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season while shooting an absurd 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc. He brings championship pedigree, veteran leadership, and clutch shot-making to a Rockets team that's suddenly one of the most dangerous in the league. For Phoenix, this trade marks the end of their ambitious Big Three experiment with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. The trio never gelled, and the Suns struggled with depth, injuries, and a lack of identity. Now, they pivot toward a new direction with Jalen Green, a 23-year-old explosive scorer who can help form a dynamic backcourt alongside Booker. Dillon Brooks, a tenacious defender and 3-and-D presence, also adds toughness to the roster. Advertisement In addition to Green and Brooks, Phoenix acquires the No. 10 pick in the upcoming draft and now holds three first-round picks and eight second-round picks. That gives them the flexibility to either develop young talent or make aggressive moves to surround Booker with a more balanced and sustainable roster. But the spotlight now shifts to Houston. With Durant leading the way, the Rockets are no longer a 'future contender.' They are a new team, locked, loaded, and ready to challenge for the Western Conference crown. The NBA landscape just shifted. Kevin Durant is in Houston, and the league better pay attention. This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets Starting Lineup Looks Scary With Kevin Durant
Houston Rockets Starting Lineup Looks Scary With Kevin Durant originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Houston Rockets just went from promising to downright terrifying. With the acquisition of two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, the Rockets have put the entire league on notice. The deal, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-rounders to Phoenix, was steep. Advertisement But what Houston gets in return is a proven, battle-tested superstar who immediately transforms their lineup into one of the most dangerous in the Western Conference. Here's what their projected starting five looks like heading into the 2025-26 season: PG: Fred VanVleet SG: Amen Thompson SF: Kevin Durant PF: Jabari Smith Jr. C: Alperen Sengun This lineup isn't just balanced—it's big, versatile, defensively sound, and oozes offensive firepower. The Rockets finished with a 52-30 record last season and were the No. 2 seed in the West, pushing the Warriors to seven games before falling in the first round. Now, with Durant in the mix, Houston isn't just hoping for a playoff run; they're eyeing a title. Advertisement Let's break it down. Fred VanVleet, the floor general, will continue to run the show. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season. While his shooting percentages (37.8% FG, 34.5% 3PT) weren't elite, VanVleet proved his worth in the playoffs with veteran composure and clutch shot-making. The Rockets hold a $44.8 million team option on his contract, and current reports indicate they plan to either pick it up or negotiate a longer deal with a reduced cap hit. Either way, VanVleet is expected to remain the steady hand at point. Amen Thompson moves into a full-time starting role at shooting guard after Green's departure. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was a revelation last season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 55.7% from the field. His defense is already elite, and with Durant drawing defensive attention, Thompson could explode as a secondary slasher and transition weapon. Advertisement Kevin Durant slots in at his natural small forward position. Even at 36, he's still one of the most efficient and feared scorers in the NBA. Last season with Phoenix, he put up 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting from the field and a ridiculous 43% from beyond the arc. The Rockets lacked a go-to scorer late in games during their playoff series against Golden State. Durant is that closer and then some. Jabari Smith Jr. gets a well-earned promotion. The former No. 3 pick will take over the starting power forward spot after a strong campaign in which he averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from deep. Smith's ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions will complement Durant perfectly and give Houston an extremely switchable frontcourt. Advertisement Alperen Sengun, the All-Star center and emotional heart of the team, remains a focal point. Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 49.6% from the floor. With Durant attracting more defensive pressure, Sengun will enjoy even more room to operate in the post. His playmaking from the elbow and top of the key should unlock a dynamic two-man game with KD that will be nearly impossible to stop. The Rockets' bench is still loaded. They kept Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore, offering both veteran grit and youthful upside. Eason and Whitmore, in particular, are athletic wings who can help sustain the pace when the starters rest. Head coach Ime Udoka, who recently signed an extension, now has one of the deepest and most flexible rosters in the league. Advertisement This is more than a superteam on paper. It's a roster built for May and June—durable, hungry, and balanced. Durant brings not only a championship pedigree but also a mentality shift. This team no longer needs to 'wait its turn.' With KD, the Rockets are here, and the West should be very, very afraid. Related: Grade The Trade: Who Won The Blockbuster Kevin Durant To Rockets Deal? This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ray Allen reveals why superstars didn't get along with George Karl: "He always found a way to bring team business into the media"
Ray Allen reveals why superstars didn't get along with George Karl: "He always found a way to bring team business into the media" originally appeared on Basketball Network. For all the brilliance George Karl brought to the sidelines — 1,175 career wins, playoff battles that stretched across four different decades and a pace-and-space ideology that came before its time — his name has often circled controversy. His coaching philosophy wasn't really the problem, but because of how he communicated. Or rather, how many of his former stars claim he didn't. The NBA is filled with stories of combustible relationships between players and coaches. Some ignite dynasties; others burn quietly for years before erupting. In Karl's case, the pattern has been almost rhythmic: a run with a supremely talented team, an eventual playoff disappointment and then, later, headlines filled with unfiltered criticism. "George has always taken shots at me through the media or writing books," former NBA star Ray Allen said, "and it's just the strangest thing, because I always thought we had a good relationship as a player-coach. But he always found a way to bring team business into the media. Talk about what is happening in practice, talk about me." Allen's years with the Milwaukee Bucks from 1996–2003 helped shape him into one of the best two-guards the league had ever seen. By the 2000–01 season, he was averaging 22 points per game, leading the Bucks to a 52-win season and an Eastern Conference finals run that ended in seven hard-fought games against Allen Iverson's Philadelphia 76ers. Coach Karl was on the sidelines then, the architect of a run-and-gun squad that included Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson and Sam Cassell, all orbiting around Allen's smooth shooting and veteran poise. The chemistry on the court didn't always mirror the atmosphere off it. While the Bucks played with flair and cohesion, the behind-the-scenes relationship between player and coach appeared to fracture in ways subtle and strange. Karl's style was never shy. He often wielded the media as an extension of his message, an indirect channel to motivate or critique. For veterans like Allen, who preferred professionalism and discretion, the public commentary chipped away at trust. This wasn't isolated to Milwaukee. Karl's stint in the Seattle SuperSonics, coaching the high-flying team of the '90s, ended similarly. Despite leading the Sonics to a Finals appearance in 1996 and multiple 60-win seasons, the fallout with stars like Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton was headline fodder. He would later detail those relationships, often critically, in his 2017 memoir "Furious George," a book that rekindled old tensions and offered little Allen, his recollection points to a deeper disconnect, one not just of disagreement, but of miscommunication entirely. To hear him tell it, the tension wasn't born of clashes in the locker room or shouting matches in practice. It was the silence. The absence of a conversation that should've happened, replaced instead by headlines and hearsay. "I didn't think anything was wrong until I would talk to the media and they would say that he had a beef with me," Ray said. "And I didn't know any better then, I didn't know what he was pissed off about." And that silence became loud. Allen was traded in 2003 in a deal that sent him to Seattle, a move that shocked many. He would go on to average 24 points per game in his first full season there, earning four more NBA All-Star nods, winning an Olympic gold medal and eventually collecting two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Karl, meanwhile, continued coaching the Denver Nuggets and later the Sacramento Kings. He led the Nuggets to a 57-win season in 2013, which earned him Coach of the Year honors, only to be dismissed that same offseason. By then, the story felt familiar: regular-season success, playoff disappointment and player-coach friction just beneath the surface. Other former players, from DeMarcus Cousins to Carmelo Anthony, echoed versions of Allen's experience. Criticism, delivered not face-to-face but through press conferences or interviews, had become Karl's signature postscript. For some, like Allen, the fallout never erupted into a public feud, but the distance story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
