Potential Kevin Durant trade cost for Houston Rockets in dea with Phoenix Suns revealed
The Phoenix Suns continue to shop All-Star forward Kevin Durant ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets all pursuing him. If the future Hall of Famer is going to land in Houston, it’s going to come at a very high cost.
During an appearance on the Burns & Gambo Show, John Gambodoro said that any trade for Durant with the Suns will “very likely” have to include Houston sending both Jabari Smith and Jalen Green.
“Any deal with the Rockets is very likely to include Jabari Smith and Jalen Green. And you’ve got it, like, they’re going to want to hold on to Eason, they’re going to want to hold on to Sengun. They’re going to want to hold on to their key core players and probably work out a deal around Green and Jabari Smith, which we’ve known for a long time that those would be the key players.”
John Gambodoro on what a Kevin Durant trade will cost the Houston Rockets
Related: Houston Rockets in trading for All-Star has reportedly cooled off
Kevin Durant stats (ESPN): 26.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 52.7% FG, 43% 3PT
Even if Phoenix pulls the trigger on a deal, there are reportedly already questions about Green’s fit with the Suns. He’d be playing alongside Devin Booker. Both players averaged more than 17 field-goal attempts per game last season and they each shot under 36 percent from the perimeter.
However, the 23-year-old Rockets’ guard is still an enticing talent who Phoenix could flip later this summer for draft picks. As for the Rockets, their hesitation would be more tied to having to move Smith in the deal. Last season, the 6-foot-11 power forward averaged a career-best .117 Win Shares per 48 Minutes and really seemed to be developing in his third full season.
Related: Multiple teams eyeing trade for Rockets’ young player
Kevin Durant contract (Spotrac): $54.708 million cap hit in 2025-’26
At the very least, a deal centered around Green and Smith for Durant would allow the Rockets to keep Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason and Reed Shepard. The deal would also provide the Suns with a big man to slide into the starting lineup next season. Smith is also a restricted free agent next summer, so Phoenix could match any offer he receives in NBA free agency if a deal is made.
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