The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets aren’t actively discussing a Kevin Durant deal, but that could change quickly as summer trade season heats up, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.
The reason, as Iko reports, is that the Suns have gradually reduced their asking price for the future Hall of Famer in any trade scenario. And while ‘aggressive’ Phoenix has yet to entice Houston, there is a price point where the Rockets would become interested, according to Iko.
Durant was the crown jewel of the team makeover after new owner Mat Ishbia bought the Suns in 2022. The former Texas Longhorns star did not come cheaply, however, as Phoenix surrendered four unprotected first-round picks and a future pick swap as well as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal.
At the time, then-ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the trade was Ishbia’s idea, writing it was ‘very much on the ownership level’ between the Suns boss and Nets governor Joe Tsai.
Ishbia pushed back on that reporting soon after, saying the decision was unanimous.
The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets aren’t actively discussing a Kevin Durant deal, but that could change quickly as summer trade season heats up, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko
‘It wasn’t a tough decision,’ he told reporters in Phoenix. ‘We really didn’t want to give up some of the guys, because we love those guys. They were winners and we didn’t want to give them up.
‘But at the end of the day the right decision was, what do we do to maximize our team for today and for the next three to four years? This is going to be what the Phoenix Suns are about.’
The Suns would go on to add high-scoring Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal to a core that already included Devin Booker, while Ishbia reiterated his desire to keep Durant in Phoenix.
When the Rockets were reportedly interested in Durant in 2024, Ishbia sH๏τ down any trade speculation.
‘Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong,’ Ishbia wrote. ‘My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it.’
The billionaire even told reporters in November he expected to sign Durant to a contract extension.
Then the Suns fell off the map, missing the playoffs at 36-46 as Durant, Booker and Beal once again struggled to gel under coach Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the season.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia launched a $2 menu in 2024-25, giving fans something to cheer about
Ishbia owned up to the debacle with reporters after the season finale.
‘Embarrᴀssing season, right?’ Ishbia said. ‘Disappointing. Awful. I watch every game like all you guys do and no one’s proud of it, no one’s happy with it, from me, to the front office, to the coaches and players, to the marketing executives to the security guards.
‘It was a failure.’
If Ishbia did have one success in 2024-25, it was his popular decision to reduce concessions prices with a new $2 menu.
Although they don’t currently have their own first-round pick, the Suns do have the 29th selection in this month’s NBA Draft.
And as for the team’s coaching search, Cleveland Cavaliers ᴀssistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott have both been named as candidates by The ᴀssociated Press.
