Report: Rockets Want To Acquire Kevin Durant From Suns

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Houston Rockets want to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. 

The implications of the Rockets landing the Suns’ picks? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and that becomes far easier if they can return the Suns’ picks that they gave up in the Durant deal to the Nets. Suns have said they’re keeping Durant for now, but that could change…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

The Suns went 49-33 in 2023-24 but were swept in the first round of the 2024 playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.  

Meanwhile, the Rockets missed the postseason again. 

Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 2023-24 while shooting 52.3% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 85.6% from the free-throw line. The two-time NBA champion will make $49.9 million next season.

According to NBA reporters Shams Charania and Doug Haller of The Athletic, Durant never felt comfortable with his role in the Suns’ offense.

“Meanwhile, Durant, among the best scorers in NBA history, was not always happy with how he was used,” Charania and Haller wrote. “Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal this season. Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls.

“At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with Frank Vogel and his coaching staff.”

Since leaving the Golden State Warriors, Durant has won only two playoff series. He’s been swept twice in the first round of the postseason. 

The Suns, who fired Frank Vogel and hired Mike Budenholzer, enter the offseason with $209 million in salary, the biggest payroll of any NBA team, and face a projected luxury tax penalty of $116 million.

The Rockets are trying to acquire a superstar this offseason. If they can’t get Durant, they will pivot to Paul George and Jimmy Butler, sources told Hoops Wire