The Houston Rockets are acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Suns are sending Durant to the Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks, the no.10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft and five second-round picks.
Durant heads to Houston as a 15x All-Star, 2x NBA champion, 4x scoring champion, 2x Finals MVP, and an NBA MVP.
Although Durant, 36, is in the later stages of his career, he still averaged 26.6 ppg, 6 rpg and 4.2 apg last season.
Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs this year, the Rockets, led by Ime Udoka, finished second overall during the regular season with 52 wins in a loaded Western Conference.
By adding Durant, the Rockets become a bigger threat and will be considered a true title contender next year thanks to their new All-Star, their core of returning players including 2025 All-Star Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and veteran guard Fred VanVleet.
For Phoenix, this trade signals a bit of a rebuilding stage for the organization. Some might consider it as taking a step backward to move forward as they acquire some young talent along with draft picks.
After making a move like this, especially right before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Rockets will now have all eyes on them.
And with Durant, Houston has renewed eyes on a third NBA Championship.
