Kevin Durant is a new Houston Rockets player: two-time NBA champion lands in Texas

The NBA market delivers a resounding twist on the day of Game 7 of the Finals: Kevin Durant is a new player for the Houston Rockets. After weeks of tight negotiations, the Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement with the Texas franchise to surrender the two-time NBA champion in a maxi-trade involving three players and as many as six Draft picks.

Durant, who had long expressed a desire to leave Phoenix, listed Houston as one of his preferred destinations, along with San Antonio and Miami. The Rockets, who have been considered favorites in the race for KD for months, agreed to include Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 Draft and five future second-round picks in the deal, thus accommodating the Suns’ demands.

Houston, for its part, manages to get an outfielder without surrendering its main emerging talents: Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson remain in Texas, armored by management. Durant thus becomes the designated star to lead a young and ambitious group that already finished second in the Western Conference last regular season.

For KD this is the sixth career team after Seattle/Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. With a 54.7 million contract valid until 2026, he will be eligible as of July 6 for a two-year 112 million extension.

On the Suns front, Durant’s exit marks the end of a cycle but opens new prospects. Green and Brooks are ready starters, although integration with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is all to be built. With the No. 10 pick, Phoenix aims to add depth under the basket, aware, however, that the title race may be, at least for now, put on hold.