Kevin Durant departed the Phoenix Suns in dramatic circumstances after months of discontent. The Suns, who last reached the NBA Finals in 2021, were never able to fulfill their championship dreams despite boasting one of the most gifted lineups in the league.
The aftermath between Durant and the Suns ended with a blockbuster trade that saw the two-time Finals MVP shipped off to the Houston Rockets. As expected, the move instantly reconfigured the Western Conference landscape in the NBA.
Interestingly, recent reports and Durant’s own comments have shed new light on how this deal unfolded. Moreover, he made a surprising revelation that his former team, the Golden State Warriors, entered the conversation before Houston ultimately sealed the deal.
Kevin Durant Opens Up About Suns Exit and Reveals Blocking Golden State Trade Before Opting for the Houston Rockets
The Collapse of Durant’s Phoenix Partnership
When Durant joined the Suns in Phoenix, optimism was through the roof. The Suns already had a solid foundation with Devin Booker and added Bradley Beal to play alongside the super-forward. The team was a contender on paper, poised to run away with the league. But chemistry problems, injuries, and adjustments under their coach kept the Suns from being themselves.
By the 2024–25 campaign, differences in the team had grown too extensive to fix. They did not convert the team’s star talent into postseason success, and the chasm between Durant and the Suns’ office grew. What was to be a second opportunity for championship greatness soon fell apart, and both sides came to accept that a breakdown was certain.
With Durant moving towards the end of his career, he was firm that competing for the championship was his main priority. For Phoenix, parting with Durant hurt but was a necessity if they were to reboot the roster and save long-term flexibility.
What Did Kevin Durant Say About Potentially Returning To Golden State
Although the Rockets eventually landed Durant’s signature, the road to Houston was not without detours. In a speech during the Game Plan Sports Business Summit, Durant announced that the Golden State Warriors, the team with which he won two titles between 2016 and 2019, had negotiated with him through the trade deadline.
“I heard Golden State was in the mix around the trade deadline, but that’s when Rich came into play, and those relationships that we built around the league and also playing in Golden State, helped. We were able to tell them to kind of hold off on that,” he said.
The Warriors’ interest was hardly a shock. With Stephen Curry still on the front lines, Golden State has never closed the door on potential reunions with former stars. But the complications of reunifying Durant with his original teammates, both economically and in terms of fit, rendered the possibility something of a fleeting thought rather than a serious prospect.
Nevertheless, the news demonstrates how the reputation and relationships of Durant throughout the league still play a factor in trade talks. Even years removed from Golden State, his association with the team is strong enough to generate meaningful discussions.
Houston Rockets Bet Big on Durant’s Future
In the end, it was the Houston Rockets who made the jump. Having a young core that was full of hope and the financial wherewithal to make something big happen, Houston viewed Durant as the ideal segue between its rebuilding era and the return to prominence.
The Rockets now have a team with Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and other up-and-coming talents. With leadership and top-scoring talent, Durant’s arrival immediately raises their ceiling. The transaction is not without risk, as Durant is entering the final year of his existing deal and will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2025–26 campaign.
But optimism is already in the air in Houston. According to The Athletic, Durant and the Rockets are likely to agree on a contract extension. The team is initially focusing on an extension for rookie forward Tari Eason before settling on terms with the 2014 league MVP.
If the deal is done, Durant would be able to spend the latter stages of his career guiding Houston’s young stars while chasing another title. For a team that wants to become a behemoth once again, the risk would pay huge dividends.
Last Word on Durant
Kevin Durant’s exit from the Phoenix Suns marked the end of a fleeting experiment that never reached its potential. His honest declaration regarding the Warriors’ fleeting engagement during the trade deadline adds mystery to an already captivating narrative. Ultimately, the Houston Rockets proved to be the risk-taking suitor to invest in both his future and current output.
With Durant building towards the next stage of his career, the focus turns to whether his arrival can boost Houston’s ascension back into title contention and whether this union will succeed where Phoenix did not.
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