The Rockets are considered to be among the favorites to trade for Kevin Durant, and they’re one of three teams on Durant’s list of preferred destinations that was leaked to the media last weekend. However, during an appearance Friday on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast, reporter Sam Amick revealed that the Rockets and Suns haven’t discussed a Durant deal in several days (hat tip to Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire).
“I was told yesterday (Thursday) that Houston hadn’t talked to Phoenix since last week, and that call didn’t go particularly well,” Amick said. “That could have changed by now, again that’s as of yesterday. They would love to have KD, but it’s on their price.”
Phoenix appears to be at a standoff with several teams while working to close a Durant deal before the first night of the draft on Wednesday. The Suns have reportedly been underwhelmed by offers from the Rockets, Spurs, Heat, Timberwolves, Raptors and others, believing they’re not getting enough in return for a player of Durant’s value.
A report earlier this week from Amick and Jon Krawczynski stated that Houston has made a “firm offer” for Durant. Although the details of that offer haven’t been revealed, it may be as high as general manager Rafael Stone is willing to go under the circumstances.
Even though Durant is still producing at an All-Star level, his age and contract situation are limiting what rival teams are willing to give up. He’ll turn 37 in September and is entering the final year of his current deal at $54.7MM. He’ll be eligible for a two-year extension with his new team, but has communicated that he’ll only consider signing long-term with Houston, San Antonio or Miami.
DuBose states that Stone would love to trade for Durant, but only if the deal serves the team’s short-term and long-term interests. He won’t mortgage the future for a player nearing the end of his career, so he’s hoping the Suns’ asking price will eventually go down.
On the Burns and Gambo Show (audio link), Suns insider John Gambadoro reported that Phoenix is unlikely to agree to a Durant deal with Houston unless Jabari Smith Jr. is included (hat tip to Evan Sidery of Forbes). Gambadoro also indicated that the Suns are willing to extend trade talks beyond the draft if they don’t get an offer they like.
Its hard to know what is going on with KD trade. One reporter says 1 thing and another reporter says the opposite.
Listen to KD man.
Long term??? You’re 37 dude, it’s almost over. You’ll be lucky to get 2 years. Get over yourself Kevin.
The only people who didnt see this coming are in Phoenix. I understand not wanting to take cents on the dollar but nobody is willing to pay list price either.
The impasse is nobody wants Greens contract around the Nba
Suns absolutely don’t want Green
Celtics Holiday is in the Durant deal
Smith is absolutely required
2025 First is in the Durant deal
Interesting.
PHX should probably declare an impasse in the SAS negotiations as well. The negotiations with HOU and SAS simply aren’t enhancing the overall market for the player. Between now and the draft, PHX should focus on all other KD alternatives, or find out that there aren’t any. SAS and HOU will always be there after the draft with the same or similar offers.
Like this comment if you think KD will never play on a Texas team
Lol…did KD go to College? Where? Get them likes mate, SMH. The gift that keeps on giving. One game then draft. Boom, all will be revealed. Like this comment if you think KD is going to a Texas team, lol. Or not.
Davey J just proving again that he does not know basketball or even a single thing about KD.
KD will only sign an extension with Houston, SA or Miami. 67% of the teams he wants to end up with are in Texas and all three have the luxury of having no state tax.
Could someone check for me where KD played in his lone college season? Someone said KD will never play for a Texas Team so I guess KD never played college.
It seems like if you just apply a bit of common sense, you will see that he meant that KD will not get traded to a Texas team. Yikes. Internet NBA weirdos.
Oh look, its Davey J’s burner, Bridgeseller.
It could have been worded like that but it wasnt. Also stop posing as someone else Bridgeseller, we know youre Davey J :)
Impossibly bad syntax combined with paranoia.
Run it back ….. a year more of experience/continuity for everyone including Ime, a healthier Jabari Smith and Eason – they might make a leap, like what OKC did last season.
Besides, there’s always the trade deadline to patch things up, trade Green by that time.
At this point I think both teams are lying and playing chicken with each other.
Suns reporters are saying the offer is Green, Jabari, No 10 pick and filler. The suns don’t want green and can’t find a place to redirect him. But I feel like if that was the offer they would have taken it and figured out what to do with green after the fact.
Hou insiders have said the only deal that has been discussed is Green and the No 10 pick. But the money doesn’t work on that so that that can’t be all that has been discussed.
Rumors
One of the trade offers was submitted to Suns
Rockets get Durant
Nets get Jalen Green, #10
Suns get Landale, Aaron Holiday and a Nets player
Suns rejected
> I feel like if that was the offer they would have taken it
> and figured out what to do with green after the fact.
More easily said than done.
Houston has been trying to move Green for a couple of years. Flashes of offensive brilliance, consistently bad defense. A big risk at $35M/yr.
For the suns tho getting Jabari smith and the no 10 pick would be a huge win. Even if they have to deal with Green’s inadequacies they are in such desperate need of young talent it’s worth it.
Houston insiders have only speculated that green is in the deal, but I don’t believe that to be true and nobody from the rockets has said it. The rockets pushed back FVVs team option deadline so his money could be used in a trade. Stone has been saying it for the last 4 years but for some reason the media refuses to listen to him, he wants to build through the draft and player development. He’s not looking to leverage any of the rockets young guys for a player that is not in their prime/fits the rockets core groups timeline. The offer from houston is most likely built around Fred, another salary to match, and the 10th pick. Perhaps another option would be brooks and salary match with the 10th pick. Nothing beyond that, all this nonsense about it being Jalen, Jabari, and picks makes zero sense from the rockets stand point, they’d be given up more production then they are getting back, plus picks?? It’s all coming from phoenix to try to drive up kds price.
> The offer from houston is most likely built around
> Fred, another salary to match, and the 10th pick.
Makes no sense for either team.
It’s way, way too little to get Phoenix’s attention.
Who plays PG for Houston next season if Fred is gone?
What Houston player matches the missing $10M (difference between FVV’s and KD’S salary)?
Reed Shepard plays the majority of the minutes vacated by Fred, but yes the rockets would have to add a player if they don’t resign holiday. The draft pick and landale would most likely be the missing salary needed to match Durant’s. I also don’t think the suns take this deal. Both landale and FVV are expiring deals so that does help, but I think the suns think they should get more than a top 10 pick for KD. I don’t think the rockets look at KD as a must have player. The rockets have a lot of ways of improving, including their own players (who are all still mostly 22 and younger) improving, and a bunch of draft picks. Their plan of building through the draft and player development is clearly working. There’s no reason to make a big shift in that philosophy. I also don’t think the rockets are excited about paying Durant $170 mil over the next 3 years because that grossly limits what they can do with this roster over the next several years. Stone has said all along, he would be open to going and getting a guy with our draft capital, if that guy is an all star level player, in his prime. That is not KD.
DannyW-
If Reed Sheppard, in his 2nd year, is the placement for Fred VanVleet, Rockets aren’t a contender this season.
We disagree on how Rockrts view Durant. I believe the Rockets think he fills a need that the rest of their young players never will: an elite scorer. The Rockets’ time is now. Windows don’t stay open long. Ask Memphis.
I would not want KD on a 3-year contract when he’s asking for 55m each. But I’d love to have him for one year. So who cares what KD wants.
3 years feels risky, but I’d give him 2 years.
Ari, after thinking it through, I like air castles opinion.
KD is great as a rental next year. Let’s see if it works at 37 years of age.
But there’s no way I’d commit to him. Even if it’s just two years that does not feel comfortable.
Perhaps that’s the hold up in these trade discussions. Teams like the idea of KD for one year but don’t want to extend him?
So the teams think they wind up with a Jimmy Butler. He’ll cry by February or maybe even December about an extension and go 50% or even sit out?
These teams don’t want to give up much for Durant considering these things.
But the suns gave up a truckload for him, so it’s tough to admit even one year has diminished the value of Durant in a major way.
Gary, you and I both are always more attuned to the age issue, so I’m not surprised by your analysis. I agree that there is a LOT of risk at stake.
I believe it comes down to getting KD for a 1 year rental versus for a 3 years (next year plus a 2 year max extension). That’s what I meant above.
Unlike you, I believe the Rockets and KD have already agreed to give KD that 2 year extension. I don’t think they’d risk losing the assets if the trade doesn’t work out.
KD, while risky, has the greatest value to the Rockets of all teams because he improves their team the most. Without him, the Rockets will never have the offense to contend.
Would you really want to give up a lot to bring in KD and that have him be disgruntled about not being offered the max extension?
The only teams that make sense going for KD are teams like the wolves or heat, who don’t have a lot of other ways to improve their rosters. Teams like the rockets and spurs make very little sense. Toronto is weird one too but I’m not really sure what their reasoning is.
> Would you really want to give up a lot to bring in KD
> and that have him be disgruntled about not being
> offered the max extension?
The Rockets won’t consider trading for KD without having him agree to a 2-year extension. KD named Houston, Miami, and San Antonio as “favored” teams. That means he’d be willing to extend.
Surely Jalen Green isn’t that unwanted around the league.
He’s only 23, he’s played two seasons back to back of 82 games. His 3p% is slowly improving as is his FT%. In his 4 seasons he’s had 2 scoring over 20 points per game.
His extension is only 3 years at about 35mil it’s not crazy money and he is a guy you potentially build around.
If I’m Charlotte I’d give up Miles Bridges and a first for him. Gives themselves Melo Green Miller and Mark Williams plus then the 4th overall pick this year.
Same with Utah give up John Collins and a first for him. They don’t have anyone locked in as their SG or first option on offence. They also have a spare first round pick this year at 21.
Suns: John Collins, Reed Shepard, Rockets 10th overall pick and 21st overall pick from Utah
Rockets: Kevin Durant
Jazz: Jalen Green
Suns then end up with 3 first round picks this year aswell as adding Reed Sheppard and John Collins. Which isn’t a bad return.
You could even be aggressive and package 10 and 21 for a pick around 4-7 for Ace Bailey if you like him. While still having pick 29 up your sleeve.
Beal Booker Bailey Collins Richards
Reed Allen Dunn … …
Plus pick 29
Plus whatever you can get for Martin
Simmons>Russ,
Please name name some teams that want 3 years of Jalen Green at $35M/yr.
Not Charlotte. You cannot play Lamelo and Jalen Green at the same time.
KD for Jock Landale, 2050 third rounder, pair of thunder sticks autographed by John Lucas, and filler.