Inside The Rockets

Rockets Included in Kevin Durant Trade Proposal

Kevin Durant could be traded to the Houston Rockets.
Jeremy Brener|
Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are among the teams involved in trade rumors for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.

Durant, 36, has been viewed as a trade candidate for the Suns, who are currently looking at being a lottery team this offseason without a pick.

The Rockets are in control of the pick, making them a likely candidate to be the team trading for him. ESPN suggests that the Rockets should trade Dillon Brooks, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale, 2025 and 2027 first-round picks (via Phoenix; the 2025 first is conveyed after the May draft lottery).

"The Rockets are a natural trade partner for the Suns for two main reasons. First, Durant slots neatly into Houston's largest hole. Thanks to a shiny young core and ferocious defense, the Rockets are rising in the West. But they lack the go-to scorer required to lead a contender and rank just 25th in half-court offense this season, per Cleaning the Glass," ESPN writes.

"Even at 36, Durant would represent a major improvement in this area. He has a higher usage rate and much better true shooting percentage than any player in Houston's rotation."

The Rockets don't have to give a ton up, but with Durant only under contract for one more season, it's justified. The draft assets are all attached to Phoenix, so Houston doesn't lose a whole lot here.

While Sheppard and Whitmore have a lot of upside, they are on the outside looking in of the Rockets core rotation, and they should be considered as the likeliest players traded if Houston tries to acquire a star this offseason.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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