{"id":7361,"date":"2025-06-23T06:52:34","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T06:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/7361\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T06:52:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T06:52:34","slug":"kevin-durant-trade-grades-did-suns-get-enough-in-return-from-rockets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/7361\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Durant trade grades: Did Suns get enough in return from Rockets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow The Athletic\u2019s live coverage<\/a> of the NBA offseason and free agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the rest of the basketball world prepared for Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant was traded for the third time in his career, landing him on his fifth team. His quest to get out of Phoenix became relatively painless, as the Suns reportedly agreed to trade him to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, this year\u2019s 10th pick and five second-round selections.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Sam Amick confirmed the deal, via team sources.\u00a0ESPN first reported the trade.<\/p>\n

This feels like a rushed deal by an inexperienced front-office executive dealing with a very savvy front office that had plenty of leverage. But maybe once we break down this trade and apply some grades, we\u2019ll find out this is not so bad for both sides. (Plot twist: We won\u2019t.) Let\u2019s bust out the red pen and slap some trade grades down on this deal:<\/p>\n

Rockets get Durant<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been curious how patient the Rockets would be with their current situation because they don\u2019t need to rush anything. After a massive leap, going from 41 wins and missing the Play-In Tournament in 2023-24 to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and a first-round exit with a young squad this past season, the Rockets had options heading into the offseason. Many wondered at the trade deadline if they\u2019d make a big splash to cash in for a deep playoff run through the West. Instead, they opted to see what they had in their current core \u2014 and what they had was a talented, young, defensive-minded team in need of some offensive punch.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>The Basketball 100<\/a><\/p>\n

The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.<\/p>\n

The story of the greatest players in NBA history.<\/p>\n

Buy\"Buy<\/a>\"go-deeper\"\/<\/p>\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

Suns trade Kevin Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks: Sources<\/p>\n

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As this week begins, Durant, a potential target for them at the past deadline, is now a Rocket. Yes, the two-time NBA Finals MVP will turn 37 before next season and has missed a lot of time since his Achilles tendon injury in 2019. Regardless, he\u2019s still one of the most unguardable players in the NBA and a pretty complete player at his age. You can drop him into any team and any system, and he\u2019ll find a way to fit.<\/p>\n

In his 15th season as an All-Star, he still put up 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 52.7\/43.0\/83.9 shooting splits for a 64.2 percent true-shooting mark. Those are ridiculous numbers. He missed 20 games, so you have to be concerned about that, but the Suns, as chaotic and dysfunctional as they were, had a 33-29 record with him on the floor and a 3-17 record without him.<\/p>\n

Adding Durant to a core with Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Fred VanVleet (assuming they figure out a new contract with him and his team-option situation) is a great jump-off point for building on last season. The Rockets won 52 games, and they shouldn\u2019t need to physically tax Durant throughout the regular season. He\u2019ll be a major part of what they do, but he\u2019s there to boost the team, not save it. The Rockets know they can win 50 games with gritty defense and by beating up opponents for 82 games.<\/p>\n

\"go-deeper\"\/<\/p>\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

NBA Player Tiers 2025: Tier 1 features MVP front-runners, future Hall-of-Famers<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Once we get to the playoffs, what does it look like for the Rockets? Their big issue against Golden State was an inability to consistently score against a tough defense. Durant has been doing that extremely well for his entire career. The fit is brilliant, and the Rockets don\u2019t really lose any of their depth or identity with it. Assuming they come to terms with the potential two-year, $122 million extension, Durant has a couple of years to help boost the Rockets before some of their other young players need to get paid \u2014 meaning this timeline might end up working out perfectly.<\/p>\n

As for what they gave up, to not lose players such as Cam Whitmore or Eason, along with any of Phoenix\u2019s picks the Rockets own past this year? Mastery.<\/p>\n

\"go-deeper\"\/<\/p>\n

GO DEEPER<\/p>\n

Suns owner vows to change team culture after ’embarrassing’ season<\/p>\n

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Grade: A+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Suns get Green, Brooks, No. 10 pick, five second-round selections<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plain and simple: The new, inexperienced Suns front office, with Brian Gregory as the new general manager, got worked in this deal. These should have been the Suns\u2019 goals in a Kevin Durant trade with the Rockets:<\/p>\n