Kevin Durant Doesn't Mince Words on Potential Russell Westbrook Reunion On Rockets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 4:27 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns are trading 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft and five second-round picks.

The Rockets were one of the teams Durant wanted to play for. He told Kay Adams at Fanatics Fest on Sunday after the trade went down that he loves the leadership in Houston.

"They just had a great season last year," Durant said. "Love their leadership. And I felt like I'd be a good addition."

Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season in 62 games. The future Hall of Famer shot 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line.

Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook began their careers with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Once Durant suits up for the Rockets next season, Harden, Westbrook and Durant all will have played for OKC and Houston.

Speaking of Westbrook, Adams asked Durant if he's going to recruit his former teammate to the Rockets. Westbrook is expected to decline his 2025-26 player option with the Denver Nuggets to become a free agent this offseason.

"We just got one thing figured out today," Durant said. "We'll figure the rest out as we go. It's still early."

Durant and Westbrook appeared in 526 games together in OKC. The Thunder went 331-195 when Durant and Westbrook were in the lineup.

Westbrook played for the Rockets in 2019-20. The nine-time All-Star has played for the Thunder, Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets.

The NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook appeared in 75 games this season for Denver. He averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.9% from the field, 32.3% from 3 and 66.1% from the free-throw line.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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