Suns Reportedly Eye Rockets as Kevin Durant Landing Spot, Devin Booker 'Not Available'
The Phoenix Suns view the Houston Rockets as a potential trade partner for star Kevin Durant, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
"The Suns naturally want the Rockets to want to Durant and, according to league sources, did try to engage them in Durant dialogue before the Feb. 6 trade deadline," Fischer reported Monday.
Houston could want a high-level scorer from Phoenix following its first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, but a possible acquisition of Devin Booker doesn't seem to be a possibility.
TOP NEWS
Grading Every Team's Summer-League Rookies 🔠
Vid of Oladipo's Private Workout
Steph's New Pitch to LeBron
The Suns have been "resolute" in their stance that Booker is "not available," per Fischer.
The Rockets may be on the hunt for a new No. 1 scoring option entering the offseason.
Jalen Green paced Houston by averaging 21.0 points per game during the regular season, but he recorded a mere 13.3 points per game on 37.2/29.5/66.7 shooting splits during the team's seven-game playoff elimination.
Fischer also reported that the Rockets "remain resistant to entertaining the idea of surrendering premium assets in a trade" for Durant, as the 15-time All-Star is also "a 36-year-old with one season left on his current contract."
Durant will carry a cap hit of $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season before he's set to hit unrestricted free agency, via Spotrac.
Phoenix appears to be focused on rebuilding its roster around Booker after missing the playoffs with a 36-46 record, but Durant still showed that he can be an efficient three-level scorer.
In 62 appearances, the two-time champion averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 43.0 percent from three-point territory.
The Suns owned a 116.5 offensive rating with Durant on the floor during their 2024-25 season, the highest mark among any player to appear in at least 10 games with the team (via NBA.com).
Still, his age and contract situation could cause the Rockets to hesitate before engaging in trade talks despite Phoenix's reported willingness to start negotiations.
