Rockets, Suns Rosters, Salary Cap, Picks After Kevin Durant, Jalen Green, Brooks Trade

The Houston Rockets reeled in the big prize they were hoping for this summer, as they reportedly acquired star forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Rockets sent shooting guard Jalen Green, forward Dillon Brooks, the 2025 No. 10 pick that originally belonged to Phoenix and five second-round picks to the Suns in exchange for Durant. Following the deal, Houston's roster will look like this:

• PG: Fred VanVleet, Aaron Holiday
• SG: Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore
• SF: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate
• PF: Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Jeff Green
• C: Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Jock Landale

The Rockets will be adding Durant's $54.7 million salary for the 2025-26 season to their salary cap, pushing the figure to $248.3 million, per Spotrac. Meanwhile, the Suns' salary cap now stands at $256.6 million, and their roster now looks like this:

• PG: Devin Booker, Tyus Jones
• SG: Jalen Green, Bradley Beal, Collin Gillespie
• SF: Grayson Allen, Cody Martin, Royce O'Neale
• PF: Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn
• C: Nick Richards, Oso Ighodaro, Mason Plumlee, Bol Bol

Bobby Marks of ESPN provided a quick breakdown of the two teams after the blockbuster trade:

Per RealGM, the Rockets no longer own a first-round pick this year but are still in control of their first-round picks from 2026 to 2031.

The Suns now have the rights to their 2025 No. 10 pick and the No. 29 pick that originally belonged to the Cleveland Cavaliers, though they still don't have control over any of their future first-round picks between 2026 and 2031. Charania noted that Phoenix now has eight second-round picks to use in potential trades.

The acquisition of Durant significantly accelerates Houston's window for title contention, as the team was previously building a young core around Green that would've been able to compete for years to come. Durant will turn 37 in September, and while he's still at the top of his game, he's undoubtedly getting closer to the end of his legendary career.

The Rockets took a major leap forward during the 2024-25 season, finishing second in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record. Unfortunately, Houston's youth and inexperience hurt the team as it ultimately fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs in seven games. The franchise is certainly hopeful that adding Durant to the roster will bring postseason success going forward.

The Suns are coming off a disappointing 36-46 finish to this season, but there is optimism for the future. Phoenix promoted executive Brian Gregory to general manager and hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the new head coach, and they will be tasked with leading the franchise back to title contention.

The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Green is a rising young talent who has yet to reach his full potential. He averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season, but more will be expected of him entering his fifth season in the NBA. Pairing him with star guard Devin Booker creates a potent duo for the Suns, and they will also have the opportunity to land a blue-chip prospect after getting back their No. 10 pick in this year's draft.