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Professional basketball

Kevin Durant Traded to Houston Rockets in Blockbuster Deal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Houston Rockets have acquired 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a major trade, with Durant set to join the young core of the Rockets as they look to make a jump next season. The deal ends weeks of speculation about Durant's future and comes after a disappointing 2 1/2 years in the desert with the Suns. Durant will bring his impressive resume to the Rockets, including two championships and four Olympic gold medals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and six future picks.
  • Durant averaged 26.6 points this season and has a career average of 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
  • The trade brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before being drafted by Seattle in 2007.
  • Durant is under contract next season for approximately $50 million and will become a free agent in 2026.
  • Durant has been part of a trio with star guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but never enjoyed consistent team success with the Suns.
  • Durant has won two championships with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018 and was part of four gold-medal teams, including the 2020 team that became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history.

Statistics:

  • Durant's career average: 27.2 points, 7 rebounds per game
  • Durant's points per game this season: 26.6
  • Number of championships won by Durant: 2
  • Number of Olympic gold medals won by Durant: 4
  • Number of All-Star appearances by Durant: 15
  • Number of teams that Notre Dame played for: 5 (SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State, Brooklyn, Phoenix)
  • Number of future picks given up by the Rockets: 6
  • Number of years Durant was with the Suns: 2 1/2
  • Amount of money Durant will make next season: Approximately $50 million

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • ESPN
  • Tim Reynolds, Associated Press

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