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The Houston Rockets have made a picks trade with the Brooklyn Nets in hopes of trading for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The Rockets received the rights to the Suns’ 2027 first-rounder, which Wojnarowski noted would make it “easier” for Houston to trade for Durant.
“The Suns have said they are keeping Durant for now, but that could change next season,” Wojnarowski wrote. “But now, Houston has an option to make the Suns whole again.”
Adrian Wojnarowski ,wojespn
Another big deal: Sources tell ESPN that Brooklyn has reached a deal with Houston to return the Nets’ 2026 first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for a 2027 first-round pick. The Rockets also acquired the 2025 rights to swap Houston/OKC for the Suns’ 2025 first-round pick. More details on selection coming… pic.twitter.com/qkTh3KwV63
Adrian Wojnarowski ,wojespn
Implications of rockets landing on Sun’s choice? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and it becomes much easier if they can return the Suns’ pick that they gave up to the Nets in the Durant deal. The Suns have said they are keeping Durant for now, but that could change…
Adrian Wojnarowski ,wojespn
More in the deal: According to sources, Houston has acquired Dallas’ and Phoenix’s more favorable 2029 first-round picks and the right to swap Houston’s first-round pick for a less favorable Dallas first-round pick and Phoenix’s first Is. https://t.co/jUR0f5lSjM
As part of the deal the Nets received their 2026 first-round pick, previously owed to the Rockets.
Wojnarowski reported that the Rockets have also acquired the right to swap their 2025 first-round pick, which currently belongs to either Houston or the Oklahoma City Thunder, for a 2025 first-rounder.
The team has given up its right to swap for the Nets’ 2025 first-rounder as part of the deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski ,wojespn
According to sources, the most important thing in the deal: Houston has given up the right to exchange Houston/OKC’s first-round selection for Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round selection. The Nets control their picks as they go into a full rebuild – especially important in the talented 2025 draft. https://t.co/jUR0f5lSjM
According to Wojnarowski, Houston also earned the right to swap its own first-round selection in 2029 for a more favorable first-round selection from the Suns and Mavericks, as well as a set that is less favorable.
With the possibility of controlling the Suns’ 2025, 2027 and 2029 picks, the Rockets have now earned back some of the draft capital that the Suns sent to Brooklyn as part of their trade for Durant in 2023.
However, Wojnarowski said Houston is not completely ready to use these picks to trade for Durant, who currently has two seasons remaining on his deal with the Suns.
“As concerned as the Rockets are about Durant, they are now determined to use the Suns’ picks to be aggressive on deals elsewhere,” Wojnarowski wrote.
The Rockets could still potentially use picks to make a deal with the Suns even if they don’t pursue Durant. Wojnarowski said Houston is in “prime position” to make a bid for Phoenix guard Devin Booker.
Adrian Wojnarowski ,wojespn
The Rockets have a pick swap with the Suns in 2025, have the Suns’ pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns’ pick in 2029 depending on contingencies. If the Suns ever face a team teardown, Houston is also in prime position to pursue young Devin Booker. For now, Phoenix is trying… https://t.co/p29C3XSpe2
Durant is moving on from his age-36 campaign, but he remains a trade target after averaging 27.1 points in 75 starts last season. The Suns will need to decide whether to cash in on that value, or run things back with their core trio of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal.
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