Houston Rockets confirm arrival of Kevin Durant, in unprecedented NBA seven-team trade
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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is going to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team blockbuster transfer that also includes the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers.
PHOTO: IMAGN IMAGES
Follow topic:
- Kevin Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star is traded from Phoenix Suns to Houston Rockets in a record seven-team deal.
- Clint Capela returns to Houston, and the Suns acquire Khaman Maluach, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and several other players.
- Rockets GM Rafael Stone says Durant impacts both ends of the court, while coach Ime Udoka values Durant's skill and dedication.
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NEW YORK – Superstar Kevin Durant is moving from the Phoenix Suns to Houston as part of a record seven-team National Basketball Association (NBA) deal, the Rockets confirmed on July 6.
The Rockets will also welcome back Clint Capela in a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks, Houston said, in a statement posted on the team’s website.
Also involved in the blockbuster transfer were the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers.
Durant, in a post on social media platform X on July 6, sent a farewell message to Phoenix fans, while making it clear he is excited to be heading to Houston, his fifth career NBA franchise.
“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” Durant posted.
“All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way.
“Remember, it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.
“I truly believe this NBA is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!”
Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star forward and four-time league scoring leader, turns 37 in September. The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) won NBA titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018.
“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said in a statement.
“We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”
Capela, a 31-year-old Swiss centre, played his first six NBA seasons in Houston and the past five for the Hawks.
He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 block a game last season and joins New Zealand’s Steven Adams as a big-man backup to Turkey’s Alperen Sengun.
The Suns’ haul after losing Durant included 18-year-old South Sudanese 2.18m centre Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, plus Houston forward Dillon Brooks of Canada and guard Jalen Green, Atlanta forward Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming and Golden State guard Koby Brea of the Dominican Republic.
The Hawks got cash and a 2031 draft pick swop from Houston, while Brooklyn obtained two future second-round selections and sent the rights to incoming American rookie forward Adou Thiero to the Lakers.
The Warriors obtained the rights to Australian forward Alex Toohey, the 52nd pick in the 2025 draft, and American guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft.
Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian 2.2m centre Rocco Zikarsky, the 45th pick in the draft.
Durant had confirmed in June he was “looking forward” to joining the Rockets after reports he was headed to Houston surfaced on the day of Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
However, the deal could not be finalised until the league’s yearly moratorium on signing ended on July 6.
“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who worked with Durant at the Brooklyn Nets and the US Olympic squad.
“His skill level, love of basketball and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”
Durant joined Phoenix in February 2023 in a trade with Brooklyn that cost the Suns three players and four first-round draft picks.
Durant began his NBA journey as the second selection in the 2007 draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The four-time NBA scoring champion with the Thunder sparked his team to the NBA Finals in 2012, when Oklahoma City lost to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. Durant was the 2014 NBA MVP, but the Thunder lost to San Antonio in that year’s Western Conference Finals.
In 2016, the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead and lost to Golden State in the West Finals.
After Golden State lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, the Warriors recruited Durant, who helped them beat Cleveland in the 2017 and 2018 Finals.
He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. AFP
