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Shams Charania Reveals Level of Control Kevin Durant Had Before Trade to Rockets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 3:14 PM ET

The Houston Rockets have their new superstar.

Announcing themselves as a contender in the Western Conference, the Rockets on Sunday acquired 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five future second-round selections.

The 36-year-old Durant now has landed with his fifth NBA team - and after frustration in Phoenix, Durant will hope to win his third career title in Houston, surrounded by a familiar coach in Ime Udoka and a strong young core.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed Monday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that Durant "had a lot of voice" in trade discussions with the Suns. Charania explained that Durant made it clear that Houston was his preferred destination - and everyone knew he wanted to be a Rocket.

"Teams heard it, the Suns heard it, and he had leverage because he had one year and $54 million left on his deal," Charania explained.

"Kevin Durant had a lot of voice in this and he made it clear where he wanted to go..

I do expect the Rockets and Kevin Durant to have formal discussions about an extension"@ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/k1DDSpCFSx pic.twitter.com/uXrt1SRnpN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 23, 2025

Seeing as Durant is on an expiring contract, Charania "expects" Durant's camp and the Rockets to engage in extension talks beginning in the NBA offseason's "dog days" in July and August.

The future Hall of Fame inductee is eligible for a two-year, $121 million extension as he enters his age-37 season. But according to Charania, Durant will have one clear goal when he sits down with business partner Rich Kleiman to begin contract talks: he wants to end his career as a Rocket.

And having parted with significant assets to make this deal happen, Houston will want the same outcome as it cracks open a championship window with Durant.

"This is a partnership," Charania said. "There's a goal in mind here (for Durant) to end his career in Houston, on both sides."

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

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