Phoenix ultimately couldn’t drum up peak value for Durant in a trade

The Phoenix Suns finally ended months of speculation by trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, closing a saga that began at the trade deadline when Phoenix nearly dealt him to the Golden State Warriors without his knowledge. Though that deal collapsed, it effectively marked the beginning of Durant’s inevitable departure—once trust was broken, reconciliation was impossible.

Yet despite months to orchestrate a blockbuster return, the Suns settled for a surprisingly modest package: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick—far less than what Phoenix originally gave up to acquire Durant in 2023. This weak return raises questions about Phoenix’s leverage in negotiations. The most likely explanation? No other team was willing to offer more.

According to reports, potential suitors like the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat never made strong pushes. While the Spurs’ hesitation was understandable given their youth movement, Miami’s reluctance was more puzzling. Despite having tradeable assets like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and future picks, the Heat reportedly balked at including them alongside salary-matching players like Duncan Robinson or Terry Rozier. Even more telling, Miami allegedly refused to part with promising young center Kel’El Ware—an unusual move for a franchise known for aggressively pursuing stars.

Durant’s limited list of preferred destinations (Houston, Miami, and San Antonio) further complicated matters. Though other teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors, reportedly explored deals, Durant’s lack of interest likely stalled talks. Two unexpected teams—the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers—also emerged as potential dark horses, but financial hurdles made deals nearly impossible.

Denver lacked tradeable first-round picks until 2031 and would’ve needed to include Aaron Gordon or navigate complex salary rules to absorb Durant’s contract. Cleveland, meanwhile, sat deep in the second apron, requiring a third team to facilitate any trade. A package centered on Jarrett Allen might have intrigued Phoenix, but the logistics proved too difficult.

In the end, Houston emerged as the logical fit. The Rockets needed a go-to scorer, had coaches familiar with Durant (including Ime Udoka), and possessed the cap flexibility to extend him. Most importantly, they could acquire Durant without dismantling their core. For Phoenix, however, the trade leaves major questions. With a weak return and limited future draft control, the Suns now face an uphill battle—either retooling around this underwhelming haul or navigating a rebuild with few assets.

Durant gets a fresh start in Houston, but the Suns’ long-term outlook looks murky after a deal that fell short of expectations.