Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On today’s Kevin Durant trade, how it got to this point, some details on a few offers Phoenix got, how the Suns view Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and what’s coming next in the draft and the rest of the offseason: bit.ly/43XbjAg – 12:26 AM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti built 2 contenders from the ground floor in the NBA’s smallest market.
The first era went to 4 West Finals and 1 Finals but had 3 contending years taken away due to injury.
Then Kevin Durant left in his prime and OKC got 0 assets in return.
That loss would devastate – 12:23 AM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Curious to @KDTrey5 thoughts on a lot of things basketball today. One NBA team doctor told me: “Very reminiscent of KD in Toronto Finals 2019. Same replay. You see the contraction/pop. Achilles. “ – 8:53 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns were never going to win a Kevin Durant trade, but there were definitely some mixed feelings about the return. Here’s an inside look at how it went down, how Phoenix views Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and what might be coming next: bit.ly/43XbjAg – 7:17 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
By the time the ink had dried on Ime Udoka’s extension, two things were certain — the Rockets were committed for the long haul and Kevin Durant was within reach.
On a two-footed jump into title contention. Reporting w/ @sam_amick for @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64441… – 5:42 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Under which circumstances would Kevin Durant’s odds at a third title been maximized:
Back to Golden State at the deadline.
OR
Going to Houston now. – 5:25 PM

Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Tonight’s rundown for NBA Countdown should be:
A BLOCK
– Finals mini movie
– Biggest storylines/what to watch
B BLOCK
– OKC — how we got here
– Keys to game for Thunder
C BLOCK
– Pacers mini movie
– Keys to game for Pacers
D BLOCK
– Predictions
That’s it. Zero KD talk. – 4:04 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’ve said for like the last year or so that I think someday, we have an “Ishbia Rule” that prevents excessive draft pick trading sort of like the “Stepien Rule” does now.
I think the Kevin Durant trade was a strong step in that direction. – 3:17 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
I’ll have words coming tomorrow on KD’s time here but will say now I very much appreciated his time here working with the media and our interactions. His open-mindedness and availability challenged everyone to get better and how to utilize the valuable resource he provided. – 3:04 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Now, we just need to get the SuperSonics back in the NBA while the Rockets still have the last of the SuperSonics, Durant and Green (assuming Green re-ups.) – 3:03 PM

Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
If I was producing ESPN’s pregame tonight:
Zero KD to Suns talk.
For more trade reaction, go to ESPN dot com, listen to podcasts or watch post game SportsCenter.
But this is Game 7. All of the energy on that desk should be on Pacers-Thunder. – 2:01 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bigger deal?
Phoenix Suns trading Kevin Durant to Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 10th overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks.
NBA Finals Game 7: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Paycom Center. #Suns #NBAFinals – 1:51 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
About 15 years ago, Kevin Durant destroyed the Rockets in a game my wife and youngest son attended. On the way home, my wife said “We should get that guy.” We laughed. But obviously, the Rockets value her insight. – 1:51 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If you assume Houston is extending Durant, I have to imagine either Jabari Smith or Tari Eason (probably Smith, but maybe this goes into the year and flips) is not extended and therefore isn’t going to be on the team beyond the 25-26 season.
I’d be trying to get both of them. – 1:48 PM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Biggest #Rockets question is POA creation now but Şengün, Durant have handled that role plenty and Amen Thompson can now grow into it. They might still have some stagnant offensive stretches, but the late game boost Durant added in particular was exactly what they need. – 1:36 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Kel’el Ware was among the sticking points in the Heat’s negotiations with the Suns that eventually led to Kevin Durant being traded to the Rockets, according to a league source. The Heat was reluctant to include Ware in its offers for Durant. – 1:30 PM

Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Houston made out like bandits in that a trade. Kept all of their young guys who are worth a damn and got KD. They’ll be a force next season. – 1:27 PM

Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
The Heat should have done that.
It’s hard to overstate how bad the East will be next year.
Even if it means both Jaquez and Jovic. Or even potentially Wade.
All three are replaceable assets on the margin.
Durant, Bam and Herro would have been great. – 1:27 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
So Phoenix now has the No. 10 pick, a historically light scouting department and a glaring hole at center that the Durant trade didn’t fill.
Teams that are trading centers this summer are licking their lips. At the very least, they’ve found leverage to use against the Lakers. – 1:26 PM

Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Game 7 of the NBA Finals and I can’t wait for the pregame to open with a discussion of how KD to the Rockets impacts LeBron. – 1:23 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I was really skeptical all offseason about the Rockets trading for KD. I wanted them to take another year to figure out what they really have, and I wanted them keeping the powder dry for someone younger.
But at this price? Shit. No reason not to. – 1:12 PM

Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
Kevin Durant can extend with the Houston Rockets for up to two years, $122.1 million starting on July 6.
2026-27: $59.5 million
2027-28: $ 62.5 million
He could extend for less to help them build a stronger roster, but have more flexibility to fit it with Green and Brooks gone. – 1:02 PM

Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Rockets starting lineup next year:
PG – Fred VanVleet
SG – Amen Thompson
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Jabari Smith Jr.
C – Alperen Sengun – 12:58 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
KD back in the state of Texas, Flagg on the way and Wemby in season 3. NBA reporters probably should start making Marriott reservations now. – 12:53 PM

Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
That’s a fair deal for both sides. Straight up. But for Houston:
1. This was the best possible Jalen Green off-ramp.
2. You don’t have to worry about drafting someone who’s not going to play next year.
3. Kevin Durant solves a million different on-court problems. – 12:52 PM

Speaking to Kay Adams after the trade that sent Durant to the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick and five second-round picks, Durant scoffed at the notion that there were a lot of “heartbroken” Suns fans about the former MVP’s departure. In Durant’s view of the situation, Suns fans wanted him gone, and Durant no longer wanted to be in a place where he wasn’t welcomed. Kevin Durant: “I just felt that, yeah, they wanted me to go. I’m glad we both — they got what they wanted, and I got what I wanted. So, we can move on and good luck to them going forward. I’ll always remember my time there, but we’re on to something else.” -via For The Win / June 22, 2025