THE Houston Rockets have officially acquired Kevin Durant in an unprecedented seven-team trade, approved by the NBA on Sunday (Monday, July 7, 2025, PH time).
This monumental transaction, which absorbed several other trade agreements into one massive package, sets a new league record for the most teams involved in a single deal.
“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” stated Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. “We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”
The complex deal involved the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
A total of 13 players were shuffled, with the headline moves seeing Durant depart Phoenix for Houston. In exchange, the Suns received Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks from the Rockets. Houston also reacquired center Clint Capela from the Hawks.
This seven-team entanglement surpasses the previous record, a six-team trade last summer that famously sent Klay Thompson to the
Dallas Mavericks.
For Durant, this trade marks a return to Texas, where he played his collegiate basketball at the University of Texas before being drafted second overall in 2007.
Houston will be his fifth NBA franchise, following stints with the SuperSonics/Thunder, Warriors, Nets, and Suns. A two-time NBA champion with the Warriors (2017, 2018), Durant is also a four-time scoring champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and one of only eight players in NBA history to surpass 30,000 career points.
He recently became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men’s player to earn four gold medals.
“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”
Last season, his 17th in the league, Durant averaged 26.6 points. His career averages stand at 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The intricate trade involved numerous draft picks and cash considerations. Houston sent Green and Brooks to Phoenix, along with the draft rights to Khaman Maluach (from last month’s draft) and second-round picks in 2026 and 2032.
The Hawks acquired David Roddy, cash, and a 2031 second-round pick swap from the Rockets. Brooklyn received two second-round picks from Houston (2026 and 2030), while the Warriors obtained the draft rights to
Jahmai Mashack.
These draft considerations extend as far as 2032, meaning some future players involved in this historic trade haven’t even reached high school yet. / FROM THE WIRES