Surprise in the NBA! Just hours before the start of the 2025 Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns, a high-impact trade shakes up the basketball world. Kevin Durant, a future Hall of Famer, changes teams in a move that redefines the aspirations of two franchises. The Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to send Kevin Durant to Houston, in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the tenth overall pick in the next draft, and five second-round picks. Who benefits from this trade? We analyze the keys to the operation.
Houston Rockets: A Bet on the Future
The Rockets, who finished second in the Western Conference with a young and promising roster, see Durant’s arrival as an opportunity to compete for the championship. The team, with Fred VanVleet as the only player over 28 among the starters, is positioned to surround Durant with the talent needed to aspire to the title. The need to improve the mid-court game was exposed in the playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets, who relied heavily on transition and offensive rebounding during the regular season, are now looking for a high-caliber scorer for key moments. Although Durant is no longer the relentless scorer of his best years, he remains one of the most effective players in creating his own game. Last season, only Nikola Jokic surpassed his effective field goal percentage (TS%) among players with a usage rate above 28%. The arrival of Durant contrasts with the situation of Jalen Green, who had the highest usage rate on the Rockets last season, but with a TS% below average. The addition of Durant could boost Green’s performance, who could take advantage of more opportunities in the game. The loss of Brooks is significant for the Rockets, as his arrival was key to the team’s transformation. However, Amen Thompson, who has proven to be an elite defender, could take on that role in perimeter defense. The Rockets’ starting lineup could include Durant, Sengun, Thompson, VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr., or Tari Eason. The situation of young Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore will also be key to the team’s future. The acquisition of Durant poses financial challenges for the Rockets, who are already close to the luxury tax. However, the team has retained its most valuable draft picks and has the possibility of obtaining the best picks from the Suns, Nets, and Mavericks in 2029. With a combination of young talent and the addition of Durant, the Rockets could aim to win a playoff series for the first time since the James Harden era.Phoenix Suns: Rebuilding in Progress
Durant’s transfer marks the beginning of a reconstruction for the Suns. The arrival of Green and Brooks exacerbates the imbalance in a squad where several players are essentially scoring guards. For the Suns, the trade is pragmatic. They had no realistic options to recover the value invested in Durant. The relationship with the player had deteriorated and the possibility of his return was not viable. Green could unleash his potential playing alongside a creator like Devin Booker. Brooks becomes the Suns’ best perimeter defender. The number 10 pick in the draft will be crucial for the Suns’ future. The team now has two first-round picks in the next draft. Durant’s acquisition was a failure for the Suns, who only won one playoff series during his time on the team. Now, the team will seek to make better decisions to improve their future.
