Kevin Durant Reportedly Very Interested in Rockets Trade but Houston Has Reservations

The Houston Rockets finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference this season, but it was clear during their first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors they may be a piece or two away.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is reportedly interested in being that piece, although the team is apparently less enthused about the possibility.

"He is known to be very interested in playing in Houston," Kelly Iko and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Monday. "Team sources said the Rockets still have significant reservations about that possible partnership, in large part, because Durant’s age (36) would be so out of sync with their younger timeline."

Iko and Amick added, "It's worth noting that previous talks between the teams about Durant, team sources said, were initiated by the Suns."

That doesn't mean Houston isn't interested in adding a star.

While Iko and Amick noted the team is no longer seriously interested in Suns guard Devin Booker because of their "faith" in Jalen Green—"who is five years younger than Booker and $66 million cheaper over the next three seasons"—or Zion Williamson because of injury concerns, Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the Rockets' radar.

"The idea of the 'Greek Freak' donning a Rockets jersey is seen as the most intriguing within the organization," Iko and Amick reported even though "the cost most certainly would be exorbitant" and feature multiple draft picks, young talent and veterans.

Even though a partnership between Antetokounmpo and Alperen Şengün might be tricky, Iko and Amick pointed to the Milwaukee Bucks' star's age since "he's still young enough at 30 that the runway for a Rockets future would be long."

As for Durant, he will turn 37 before next season and surely has fewer years of peak production remaining even if he is still one of the best players in the league.

That Durant might be interested in joining the Rockets or another contender comes as no surprise, though.

After all, Phoenix was arguably the most disappointing team in the league at 36-46, which wasn't even good enough to qualify for the Western Conference play-in tournament. It fired head coach Mike Budenholzer, which marked a third consecutive season of firing the coach (Monty Williams and Frank Vogel).

Its 2024-25 campaign was largely defined by what didn't happen, as Bradley Beal's no-trade clause made headlines as the team failed to land Jimmy Butler in a deal.

Durant has one season remaining on his contract, and the Suns don't seem to be in a position to dramatically improve with little salary-cap space to make any meaningful additions in free agency.

The trade market may be their best path to reshaping the roster, and Durant represents an opportunity to get a significant package of players and draft picks in return before he potentially leaves in free agency next offseason.

But it takes two parties to complete a trade, and Houston doesn't seem to be particularly interested even if NBA insider Jake Fischer reported last week the Suns saw it as a potential trade partner.

Instead, the Rockets may look to pursue Antetokounmpo or another star as they attempt to become a more dangerous threat in the Western Conference.