The Houston Rockets would love to land Kevin Durant, but they will have to give up a lot in order to get him.
The Phoenix Suns are playing hardball, and they want one of Houston’s best players in exchange for Durant.
According to John Gambadoro, via Evan Sidery, the Suns are “unlikely to do a Kevin Durant trade with the Rockets unless Jabari Smith Jr. is included in the deal.”
So, now the Rockets have to weigh their options and decide just how much they need Durant.
The Suns are unlikely to do a Kevin Durant trade with the Rockets unless Jabari Smith Jr. is included in the deal, per @Gambo987 (https://t.co/vop1O7W64g).
Phoenix will not rush into a Durant deal if their price isn’t satisfied, and they’re now willing to go past the 2025 Draft. pic.twitter.com/sM8oCaSMxx
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 20, 2025
Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 43.8 percent from the field during the 2024-25 season.
He obviously has a promising future in the league, and the Rockets know they have someone special, so they aren’t willing to just cut ties with him.
However, Durant is a huge talent, a future Hall of Famer, and a two-time champion.
The Rockets would love to see how he could help develop and guide the young roster.
But, they also don’t want to part ways with someone who could be a superstar for the team for years to come.
They are trying to balance the appeal of Durant along with the promise of the future.
The Rockets aren’t the only ones who are deciding what is best for them.
The Suns will demand a lot from any team trying to get Durant, so there are other squads determining if they are ready to negotiate.
The Durant trade is allegedly going to happen soon, if the Suns and another team can work out the details.
Will it be Houston or someone else who acquires him, and what will they have to send back to Phoenix?
NEXT: Suns Reportedly Have ‘Zero Interest’ In 1 Rockets Player Amid Trade Talks
