In one of the most least surprising and perhaps inevitable offseason moves, Kevin Durant has been traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-rounders.
This is now the 5th team the future Hall of Famer will join in his career, again the championship aspirations for his new team the moment the news was broke.
The Houston Rockets have one of the most solid young cores in the NBA outside of the new NBA champions OKC Thunder and their competitor the Pacers.
The Rockets finished 2nd place in the West record wise in the 2024-25 NBA season and took the Jimmy Buckets Warriors to 7 games, unable to get over the hump.
Due to the franchise being able to keep the core they feel is the main reason for them being able to accomplish what they did last season, they feel that adding KD for draft capital is the best way to go all in on a championship run.
With Ime Udoka at the helm, the Rockets young star core remains intact and KD coming to join the ranks still averaging 27+ points a night, the Rockets are set to be a problem next season.
Cap Moves & Financial Flexibility
- Durant’s Current Deal: $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season with one year remaining; eligible for a 2-year, $122 million extension this summer.
- Rockets’ Salary Cap: Houston holds about $14.1 million in MLE space, thanks to veteran trades and avoided overpaying.
- Implication: Houston can sign Durant to the full extension without sacrificing cap health, while keeping financial ammunition to build a competitive supporting cast.
Asset Management: Picks Over Players
- Houston: kept its core talent in Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. intact, leveraging draft capital instead of trading proven upside.
- Phoenix: Green, Brooks, + six picks is the start to another full teardown.
Will we see the departure of Devin Booker, or will he be able to withstand rebuilding for the second time in his career in Phoenix.
With Bradley Beal holding his no trade clause hostage over the front office, it is unlikely that a deal will be done to ship him out before Devin Booker.
From Contender to Threat
Houston just went 52-30 and pushed Golden State to Game 7.
Adding KD:
✅Instantly get elite scoring & playoff/winner pedigree.
✅Outsized offensive lift to complement defense-first mentality.
✅Ceiling rises from contender to legitimate title threat.
The Financial Upside
- Franchise Value: Rockets were valued at ~$3.2 billion pre-deal; superstars like KD could unlock $300+ million valuation bump.
- Revenue levers unlocked:
- Ticket demand spike
- Premium suite and PSL sales
- Local and national sponsorships
- Broadcast rights leverage
Risks & Next Moves
- Age & Health: Durant is 36 and one injury could derail title hopes and diminish trade asset value. Unfortunately, this has been the story for the Slim Reaper over the past couple seasons.
- Cap drag: KD’s extension pushes Rockets close to second apron. Any additional star pursuit will require smart veteran-minimum signings.
- Draft drought: No picks in this year’s draft; Houston may need to trade future selections to maintain depth.
Next Reads
- Did Kevin Durant’s Trade Actually Help the Suns Financially?
- Luka Dončić Traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis
- Paolo Banchero’s $239 Million Contract Extension
- Ace Bailey’s NBA Draft Fall Cost Him $9 Million
- How Rich Paul Got a Fringe NBA Prospect a $10 Million Contract
Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: ESPN, Forbes, Houston Chronicle, Bleacher Report, Click2Houston, Spotrac, NBA.com, APSM Proprietary Analysis.
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
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