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The Houston Rockets have made a picks trade with the Brooklyn Nets in the hope of trading for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The Rockets received rights to the Suns’ 2027 first-rounder, which Wojnarowski reported would make it “easier” for Houston to trade for Durant.
“Suns have said they’re keeping Durant for now, but that could change next season,” Wojnarowski wrote. “But now, Houston has the picks to make the Suns whole again.”
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Another massive deal: Brooklyn has a deal with Houston to return the Nets’ 2026 first-round pick for a 2027 Phoenix Suns first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Rockets also acquire 2025 right to swap Houston/OKC first for 2025 Suns first-round pick. More details coming on picks… <a href=”https://t.co/qkTh3KwV63″>pic.twitter.com/qkTh3KwV63</a>
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
The implications of the Rockets landing the Suns’ picks? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and that becomes far easier if they can return the Suns’ picks that they gave up in the Durant deal to the Nets. Suns have said they’re keeping Durant for now, but that could change…
The Nets received their 2026 first-round pick, previously owed to the Rockets, back as part of the deal.
The Rockets also acquired the right to swap their 2025 first-round pick, which currently belongs either to Houston or the Oklahoma City Thunder, for the Suns’ 2025 first-rounder, Wojnarowski reported.
The team gives up their right to swap for the Nets’ 2025 first-rounder as part of the deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Most importantly in the deal, per sources: Houston relinquishes the right to swap a Houston/OKC first-round pick for Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round pick. The Nets control their own pick as they go into a full rebuild — especially important in talented 2025 draft. <a href=”https://t.co/jUR0f5lSjM”>https://t.co/jUR0f5lSjM</a>
Houston also earned the more favorable of the Suns’ and Mavericks’ first-round picks in 2029, as well as the right to swap their own first-round pick for the less favorable of the set, per Wojnarowski.
With the chance of controlling the Suns’ 2025, 2027 and 2029 picks, the Rockets have now earned back some of the draft capital that the Suns sent to Brooklyn as part of their trade for Durant in 2023.
However, Wojnarowski noted that Houston isn’t completely set on using these picks to trade for Durant, who currently has two seasons remaining on his deal with the Suns.
“As intrigued as the Rockets have been about Durant, they’re determined to use the Suns picks to be aggressive on deals elsewhere now,” Wojnarowski wrote.
The Rockets could still potentially use the picks to make a deal with the Suns, even if they don’t pursue Durant. Wojnarowski noted that Houston is “in prime position” to make a bid for Phoenix guard Devin Booker.
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Rockets possess a pick swap with Suns in 2025, Suns’ pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns’ pick in 2029 based on contingencies. If the Suns are ever faced with breaking up team, Houston’s also in prime position to pursue a younger Devin Booker. For now, Phoenix is trying… <a href=”https://t.co/p29C3XSpe2″>https://t.co/p29C3XSpe2</a>
Durant is heading into his age-36 campaign, but remains a trade target after averaging 27.1 points in 75 starts last season. The Suns will need to decide whether to capitalize on that value, or to run things back with their core trio of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal.
First appeared on bleacherreport.com