The Phoenix Suns need to trade Kevin Durant this offseason as part of a mini reset, but that doesn't mean a deal will materialize. The league is waiting to see what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo, which could affect Durant's market.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that KD and several teams had mutual interest before the deadline. One of those teams was the Rockets. Houston finished as the No. 2 seed in the West but was ousted by Golden State in the first round. The loss highlighted the Rockets' need for a go-to scorer, like Durant. Houston might not want KD, though.
Last week, Kelly Iko and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Durant is "very interested" in playing for the Rockets. However, Houston has "significant reservations" about acquiring the star, primarily because of his age. KD will turn 37 before the start of next season.
The Rockets could change their minds about Durant during the offseason, especially if Giannis decides to stay with the Bucks. If so, the Suns can only hope a deal will look similar to the one below that Bleacher Report's Dan Favale created:
Suns send Kevin Durant to Rockets in three-team mock trade
Phoenix would receive Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick in the deal. Getting two young players (soon-to-be-three with the lottery pick), plus a few of their first-round picks back, would be a win for the Suns. It's the kind of reset fans should hope for when trading Durant.
Green was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, but he hasn't lived up to expectations in Houston, especially not after he signed a three-year, $106 million extension before the start of last season. He'll make $33.3 million next season, $36 million in 2026-27, and has a $36 million player option in 2027-28.
He turned 23 in February, so it'd be unfair to criticize him too harshly for the 13.3 points he averaged per game during his first-ever postseason experience. Green has the potential to be an All-Star type of player, something he could unlock in Phoenix.
Smith was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft, and he'll be eligible to sign an extension this summer. He'll enter restricted free agency next summer if he doesn't sign a new deal. Smith averaged a career-low 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 2024-25, but like Green, he's young (he just turned 22), so the Suns could sign him to a team-friendly deal, allowing Smith to prove himself.
You can argue that this isn't a deal the Rockets would do, especially because they're fond of Green, even though he's struggled. Moving on from Smith wouldn't be as difficult, considering his changes in role and the fact that he'll be due for a new contract. Houston might not be for a KD trade now, but that could change as the offseason plays out.
Phoenix needs to hope that Giannis stays in Milwaukee, so that there will be an increase in a Durant trade. Maybe -- just maybe -- the Suns will get lucky with a trade like the one above.