Source: Rockets Expected To Pursue Kevin Durant Trade

After losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs in seven games, the Houston Rockets are expected to pursue Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant this summer, a source told Hoops Wire. 

Durant and the Suns are expected to work together on a trade this summer. Durant, who has one year left on his contract, is interested in playing for the Rockets, the source said. 

Durant has a rapport with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who was an assistant coach on the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21 when Durant was on the team. 

Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from 3 and 83.9% from the free-throw line. He turns 37 in the fall. 

Phoenix missed the playoffs this year despite having Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Mike Budenholzer was fired as head coach after one season. 

Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns. He’s a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP and a one-time MVP. 

One of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Durant will make $54.7 million next season. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. Only Beal and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James have no-trade clauses. 

“They might be a go-to scorer away from contending for a championship. Their defense and tenacity are already built for basketball’s biggest stage, but they don’t have the creation and shot-making to survive four playoff rounds. Do a deal for Durant, though, and suddenly one of history’s greatest scorers could take care of that,” Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report wrote. 

Durant left the Warriors in the summer of 2019. He hasn’t been back to the NBA Finals since then. The future Hall of Famer has also been swept in the first round of the playoffs twice.