Dillon Brooks Reacts to Kevin Durant-Rockets Trade, Devin Booker Pairing in Suns Video

Newly acquired Phoenix Suns wing Dillon Brooks commented Saturday on the trade that sent him from the Houston Rockets to the Suns last month.

Speaking to reporters at the NBA Summer League (beginning at the 2:55 mark of video), Brooks put the move in a positive light despite going from a playoff team to a team in midst of a roster retool.

"I love the trade," Brooks said. "It gives me and Jalen [Green] an opportunity to showcase in Phoenix. ... I'm happy that we both came together."

Superstar forward and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant was the subject of trade rumors since last season's trade deadline, and they finally materialized into a deal last month.

The Rockets acquired Durant in exchange for Green, Brooks and the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

It was a move meant to accelerate the Rockets' championship timeline, as they were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season despite having one of the youngest teams in the league.

They suffered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, and the hope is that Durant will get them over the hump.

Meanwhile, the Suns went 36-46 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Despite going from a championship contender to a team that may not reach the postseason, Brooks is excited for what is in front of him.

"I like the opportunity here," Brooks said at the 3:30 mark of the interview. "I like the guys here, and overall, I like the challenge. Phoenix really wanted me to bring that culture, to bring that toughness. I feel like I got open arms, and I'm ecstatic and been working all summer."

At the 40-second mark of the interview, Brooks also discussed having the chance to play alongside Suns star Devin Booker ever going up against each other in many battles while Brooks was with the Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies.

"I get to learn from him, he gets to learn from me," Brooks said. "Create more energy for the guys and show them how I work. I'm excited. I feel we've got a great crew. Some young guys over there played well, and I'm ready to get to work."

Brooks, 29, is coming off a strong year, as he averaged 14.0 points, 1.7 assists and a career-high 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 three-pointers made per game. He also shot a career-best 39.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Prior to his arrival in Houston in 2023, the Rockets had won 22 or fewer games in three straight seasons, but they improved to 41-41 in his first season and 52-30 in his second.

While the Suns haven't quite bottomed out to that same level, there is perhaps some hope within the organization that Brooks can help orchestrate a similar turnaround alongside Booker and Green.