Kevin Durant Trade Rumors: Suns 'Initiated' Rockets Talks Before 2025 NBA Deadline

The Phoenix Suns took action to explore the market for Kevin Durant prior to the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6.

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Suns "initiated" talks with the Houston Rockets when they were looking at potential trade partners for the 15-time All-Star.

One person with the Suns explained they were looking at "everything" ahead of the trade deadline given their spot in the Western Conference standings:

"When you're not winning and you're not winning the way you want, you've got to look at everything. For us with [Durant], it was, how do we make sure that we're optimizing Devin and building to make you successful now but also in the future. And Kevin's had an amazing year. He's had an amazing stretch here. He's playing really, really good basketball, but there's always been conversation with everyone on our team minus Devin Booker. As we talked about it, then teams call us because they're interested because it's Kevin Durant, we're not in a position not to look at everything. We have to be creative."

It was known that the Suns and Golden State Warriors had talks about a deal, but Durant rejected the idea because, as he said, he "didn't want to move" and wanted to see things out this season in Phoenix.

There were also rumblings that Durant was open to playing for the Miami Heat, but the Heat didn't want to mortgage that much of its future to meet Phoenix's asking price.

NBA insider Chris Haynes noted the Minnesota Timberwolves were a late addition to the Durant trade sweepstakes, making a "last-ditch effort" near the deadline to speak with the Suns.

Nothing came of any of those discussions, as Durant remained with the Suns. That could change this summer, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Wednesday's episode of Pardon the Interruption that "everything points" to Durant being traded in the offseason.

The Rockets would make a lot of sense as a landing spot for Durant if he does get moved. They have a strong foundation of young talent, led by Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, plus as many as seven future first-round draft picks to deal.

One thing that could make the Rockets an appealing trade partner to Phoenix is some of those extra picks they have belong to the Suns, including an unprotected first-round selection in 2027. They could also have swap rights with the Suns for their 2025 first-rounder depending on where the picks fall.

Now in his 17th season, Durant is showing no signs of slowing down. He's averaging 26.8 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 53 starts.