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Rockets Keep Two Players Off Limits in Kevin Durant Trade Talks With Suns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:07 PM ET

The Houston Rockets are widely reported to be interested in trading for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who is open to signing an extension with the Rockets.

Durant, 36, has one year left on his contract. He will be traded by the Suns before the 2025 NBA Draft.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka coached Durant when the two were on the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21. Durant has told the Suns that Houston is one of the teams, along with the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, he would prefer to land with.

The problem for Durant is that he doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can't control where he's playing next season.

The Rockets and Suns have talked about a Durant trade and Houston is keeping two players off limits: Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

"The Rockets, however, have been unwilling to part with 22-year-old First Team All-Defensive selection Amen Thompson in trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto wrote. "It’s believed that Houston would also not want to part with 22-year-old All-Star Alperen Sengun in talks for Durant."

Houston made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2020, losing to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

Meanwhile, Durant and the Suns missed the playoffs and play-in tournament.

Durant turns 37 in September. He put up strong numbers for the Suns this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line.

It will be fascinating to see where Durant is playing next season.

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

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