BREAKING: Kevin Durant Traded to Houston Rockets in Blockbuster Deal with Phoenix Suns
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to trade superstar forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a package highlighted by a three-year, $180.5 million contract agreement. The deal was finalized early Thursday morning and confirmed by multiple league sources.
Durant, a 14-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, joins a rising Rockets squad that has been actively reshaping its roster under head coach Ime Udoka. The 35-year-old forward averaged 27.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game last season, continuing to play at an elite level despite his age. This acquisition immediately elevates Houston to playoff contention in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The Rockets, who’ve been accumulating young talent and draft assets for several seasons, are signaling a shift in their strategy — moving from rebuilding to win-now mode. The team already features promising young players like Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson, and with the recent addition of veteran guard Fred VanVleet, the Durant trade rounds out a more experienced, battle-tested roster.
In return, Phoenix is expected to receive a significant package including multiple first-round picks, salary cap relief, and a combination of young players. Early reports indicate the Suns may also be creating cap space to retool around Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, especially after their early playoff exit in the 2024 postseason.
This marks the second major trade involving Durant in just over a year. He was previously traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Suns in February 2023 in another blockbuster deal that sent Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson to Brooklyn. His tenure in Phoenix, though brief, was marked by high expectations that ultimately fell short due to injuries and chemistry issues.
The trade comes just days before the start of the NBA Draft, adding further intrigue to the offseason. Houston’s aggressive approach suggests they may not be done yet, while Phoenix now has greater flexibility to reshape its roster.
Durant is expected to be officially introduced in Houston early next week, with team executives planning a press conference and fan rally at Toyota Center. While questions remain about how the Rockets will integrate Durant into their system, fans are already buzzing at the prospect of watching one of the game’s greatest scorers suit up in red and black.
This trade redefines the balance of power in the West and promises to make the 2025 NBA season one of the most exciting in recent memory.
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