In an absolutely stunning move that’s yanking the spotlight away from today’s Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. It’s an absolutely blockbuster trade that’s been rumored for months, as Durant wanted out of Phoenix. And it was clear that Houston was one consistent, championship-caliber shooter away from making a deeper impact in the 2025 NBA playoffs. This was first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
Let’s get into what the specifics of the trade were with regards to personnel-swapping.
Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets: Phoenix’s return
In return for sending Kevin Durant to the Rockets, the Suns nabbed Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the tenth-overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and five second-round picks to be fully articulated later.
Here’s Shams on the return, as well:
Jalen Green to the Suns: Analysis
It was clear the Rockets was ready to move on from Jalen Green, even after the extension they gave him before the start of the 2025 season. Jalen Green averaged 21.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.4 APG across 82 games in 2025, flashing stretches of brilliance but never finding true consistency. He torched defenses for 42 points on 70% shooting one night, then disappeared in the playoffs with four single-digit scoring games over a seven-game series.
That inconsistency held him back, especially when Houston needed him most, producing just 13.3 PPG on 37.2% from the floor when the lights were brightest. Critics like said he wasn’t ready to be the face of the franchise. At 23 years old, Green still has time to harness his explosive tools, but until he puts it together every night, questions about his ceiling will continue to hang over his future.
And, indeed, there’s a lot to love here. Green’s the perfect candidate to inherit that volume-scoring role and stretch defenses with his deep shooting. He’s not the same caliber of all-time bucket-getter as KD, but Green’s quick-trigger release, self-created looks, and fearlessness from the arc give them a floor-spacer who can also put the ball on the deck.
Where Durant is surgical in the mid-range, Green thrives at attacking gaps and pulling up from anywhere beyond 25 feet. Give him time next to Booker and he could seamlessly take over as their primary shot-maker on the wing, carrying the offensive burden without forcing Phoenix to overhaul their system.
Dillon Brooks to the Suns: Analysis
Dillon Brooks has carved out a unique NBA identity as a gritty two-way forward with elite defensive chops and evolving offensive skills. Drafted 45th overall in 2017, he spent six seasons with Memphis, earning a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 before moving to Houston. In his 2024–25 Rockets campaign, he made a notable leap, averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and shooting 39.7% from three—career highs in both scoring and accuracy.
Brooks stayed steady in the postseason too, logging 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and hitting 44.4% of his shots while bringing veteran leadership and relentless on-ball defense. One of his biggest highlights was his career-high 36-point explosion against Boston in January, fueled by 10 three-pointers that swung momentum and showed his game-changing potential.
His value lies in his versatility—he guards positions one-through-four, spaces the floor, and isn’t afraid to take big shots under pressure. That combination of defense, perimeter shooting, and competitive fire gives him utility as a matchup-proof player who can impact games in multiple ways. Brooks is exactly the kind of proven role player contenders want—tough, adaptable, and ready for whatever the moment demands.
Brooks would slide seamlessly into the Suns’ system as a high-energy wing who takes the toughest perimeter assignments off their stars’ plates. Devin Booker & co. need someone who can absorb elite scorers nightly, and Brooks relishes those battles. His improved three-point stroke would give the Suns the spacing they need to keep defenses honest, while his fearless mentality and playoff experience add an edge that the Suns have lacked. Plug him into their closing lineups and the Suns instantly become deeper, nastier, and more balanced at both ends.
