Windhorst Says Rockets 'Wagering' Kevin Durant Trade Price Will Drop amid Suns Rumors

As the Houston Rockets pursue a difference-making scorer to elevate them in the Western Conference hierarchy next season, they appear to be willing to engage the Phoenix Suns in a staring contest about the asking price for Kevin Durant.

Appearing on Friday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained the Rockets are "wagering" that the cost Phoenix wants to trade Durant will eventually come down.

"I think Houston is the team that can make the best trade and also is the best spot for Durant. And there's a connection there with Ime Udoka. Ime Udoka was an assistant coach for Brooklyn when KD was there. If Durant ends up in Houston, I think you've got a serious contender in the Western Conference there.

"However, Houston is really not motivated to dip into the stash of picks that they have. They have two future Phoenix Suns draft picks. That's what the Suns want back. They literally want some of the stuff back that they traded for Durant. The Rockets went out and acquired that stuff from Brooklyn with the possibility of making a Durant trade, but they don't want to pay that price right now, and they're basically wagering that the Suns price will come down, and they will make the deal.

"There's also the possibility, I should bring this up, that the Suns will get to Wednesday night and not like any of this and just hold on to him. Season doesn't start in two weeks, the offseason is starting now. They could just hold on to him, move past the drafts and see if situations change. I don't think that's what they want to do, but I don't think they also want to take a less than a premium offer for a prized future Hall of Famer."

Despite Durant's obvious talent, the Suns aren't exactly operating from a position of strength right now. He has narrowed his list of preferred destinations to the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

That's important because Durant is entering the final year of his current contract and could sign a two-year extension for up to $122 million this summer. Charania noted the three teams on his list are the only ones he would give a multi-year commitment to.

To their credit, the Suns are saying they will make the best deal for them regardless of Durant's feelings, per Charania. Unfortunately for them, any return could be contingent on an acquiring team being able to re-sign Durant.

Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported Tuesday that the Suns might be forced to lower their asking price for Durant because there's a feeling around the NBA that they have "no leverage" at this point.

To get a feel for how much the Suns are seeking, The Ringer's Kirk Goldsberry said they asked the Spurs for the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft and/or Stephon Castle in their initial conversations.

Houston owns the Suns' first-round pick in this year's draft (No. 10 overall), their first-round pick in 2027 (unprotected) and will receive the two most favorable of its own first-round pick, the Suns' pick and the Dallas Mavericks' pick in 2029..

In addition to his contract status, Durant's age also makes it difficult for the Suns to hold firm on demanding a significant return. A two-year extension would take him through his age-39 season, but he already misses a lot of time due to injuries.

Durant has only played more than 62 games in a season once since 2019-20. With that said, he was terrific this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

The Rockets could afford to make a big bet on Durant as the missing piece to get them into the title picture in the Western Conference. They were the No. 2 seed this season with a 52-30 record, and they finished fourth in defensive rating.

For now, though, it seems like the Rockets aren't concerned that Durant's market is hot enough for the Suns to make a deal. It's a risky stance for them to take, but it could pay off if they eventually acquire the 15-time All-Star at a relatively low cost.