Kevin Durant is officially a Houston Rocket. Since agreeing to trade Durant to Phoenix before the 2025 NBA draft, more teams have been added. All totaled, seven teams, 13 players, and five future second-round picks, along with a second-round swap, were involved in the trade. So, who won the historic Durant seven trade, and what does it mean for this year and beyond?
“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” Durant said in a statement released today. “All these stops along the journey have positively impacted me. Remember, it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players. I appreciate all the quick interactions with everybody, from support staff to teammates and distant cousins – it’s all a family that I’m grateful to be a part of, no matter what. I truly believe the NBA is one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!”
Kevin Durant Historic 7-Team Grade Trades: Analyzing What The Deal For Each Team Involved For Present and Future
Besides Phoenix and Houston, Golden State, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves ended up being tied to the trade. The Nets and Timberwolves only received draft picks in this transaction.
Phoenix Suns Trade Grade: B
Phoenix Receives:
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Khaman Malauch
- Rasheer Fleming
- Koby Brea
- Daequon Plowden
- 2026 Second Round Pick: (Either the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, or Sixers’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is second-most favorable; from Rockets).
In the initial trade, the Suns received Green, Brooks, the No. 10 pick (Malauch), and two 2025 picks. The Suns also received four other second-round selections. The Suns turned the No. 59 selection (Jahmai Mishack) and three of their future second-round selections into Fleming (No. 31, 2025) and Brea.
Durant put the Suns in a difficult position by revealing he would only sign an extension with his preferred teams. But the Suns did a reasonably good job in their return. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that Phoenix didn’t cut salaries. The Suns project to be over $12 million over the NBA’s second tax apron once Malauch and Fleming sign their rookie deals.
Green and Brooks will start for the Suns along with Devin Booker and Mark Williams. Royce O’Neale, Bradley Beal, and Ryan Dunn figure to be the likeliest fifth starter. Grayson Allen, Malauch, and Nick Richards figure to be in the mix for the Suns’ second unit. Thus, leaving Oso Ighadoro, Fleming, Collin Gillespie, and Nigel Davis-Hayes as end-of-the-bench players. Brea may sign a standard or two-way deal.
The Suns may trade or “buy out” Beal before the season starts. Unless the Suns unload Beal, who has a player option in 2026-27, they will be in the same financial situation as this summer. The Suns will also likely look to move Allen. Brooks, O”Neale, and perhaps Green before February’s trade deadline.
CJ Huntley and Plowden, who were on a two-way deal with the Hawks, have minor league deals with the Suns. The Suns only own two of their draft picks between 2026 and 2032 (2029 second-round pick, 2032 first-rounder). However, they will have other picks between 2026 and 2032, except for 2027 and 2031.
Houston Rockets Trade Grade: A+
Houston Receives
- Kevin Durant
- Clint Capela
The Rockets got everything they could have wanted in the trade and did not have to give up any of their core players. Durant gives the Rockets a shot-maker, while Capela provides depth in the frontcourt, offering rebounding and rim protection.
Houston has 14 players on standard contracts and is just $1.4 million from being hard-capped at the first apron. The Rockets could waive Nate Williams, whose contract is not guaranteed, to create enough cap space to sign a veteran.
Houston could run into a cap problem depending on Durant’s expected extension. As of now, the Rockets are projected to have eight players on their roster in 2026-27, with salaries totaling $115 million. They have at least five future first-round selections between 2026 and 2032.
Golden State Warriors Trade Grade: C
Warriors Receive
Golden State traded back from the 41st pick (Brea) in the 2025 draft and received the No. 52 selection (Toohey) and No. 59 (Mashack). The Warriors traded Mashack to Memphis along with a few assets for Will Richard.
The Warriors have nine players under contract for 2025-26 with salaries totaling $173 million, meaning they are $34 million below the second apron. Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent, so the Warriors will likely sign or move him in a sign-and-trade. Toohey and Richard are expected to earn a standard deal, although one of them may receive a two-way contract.
Golden State’s core trio of three-time All-NBA players is winding down, with Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green‘s contracts set to expire in 2027. The Warriors own eight draft picks, from 2026 to 2032, including six first-rounders.
Brooklyn Nets Grade Trade: B
Nets Receive
- Either the Clippers’ 2026 second-round pick or the most favorable of the Celtics’, Pacers’, and Heat’s 2026 second-round picks (whichever is least favorable; from the Rockets)
- The Celtics’ 2030 second-round pick (from the Rockets)
Brooklyn continues to add to its treasure chest of draft assets. The Nets have at least 23 draft picks, including nine first-rounders, between 2026 and 2032. They project to be the youngest team in the NBA in 2026-26, with the average age being about 23.
Atlanta Hawks Trade Grade: C
Atlanta Hawks Receive
- David Roddy
- The right to swap their own 2031 second-round pick for the Rockets’ 2031 second-round pick (from the Rockets)
- Cash (from Rockets)
The Hawks finally got out of the Capela business, though it was too late for them to get anything substantial. Roddy, a former first-round pick, is back with the Hawks after playing 27 games for Atlanta before being waived at the trade deadline. He is currently on a two-way contract.
Atlanta needs to add at least two players to standard deals in the 2025-26 season. The Hawks are $14.8 million below the first apron, where they are hard-capped. It is possible that Roddy, who has 168 games of NBA experience, will get one of those standard deals. Mouhammed Guye has a nonguaranteed contract.
Atlanta has at least one first-round pick every year between 2026 and 2032. However, the Hawks don’t have a second-round choice until 2028.
Los Angeles Lakers: C+
Lakers Receive:
Thiero is an athletic wing with length who thrives on the defensive end. Thiero averaged a career-high 15 points last season in his lone season at Arkansas before being selected by the Nets with the No. 36 pick. Three-point shooting is a weakness for the 21 year old.
Thiero is dealing with a knee injury and will skip the NBA’s summer league sessions. The Lakers have 14 players on standard deals and are over the first apron, where they are subject to the hard cap. Shake Milton ($3 million) is the most likely player to be waived as his guaranteed contract expires on July 15. Although Jordan Goodwin, whose contract doesn’t fully guarantee until January 10, is also an option.
Thiero is likely to earn a standard deal as the Lakers already have two of their three-way slots filled. The Lakers have at least five first-round selections (2026-2032) and one second-round pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Grade Trade: B
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive:
- Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 pick; from Lakers)
- Either the Warriors’ or Nuggets’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable; from Suns)
- Either the Suns’ or Rockets’ 2032 second-round pick (whichever is most favorable; from Suns/Rockets)
The Timberwolves dealt the No. 31 pick to the Suns and received Zikarksky and two second-round draft picks. Zikarsky is an 18-year-old Australian project who stands at 7-foot-3. He is unlikely to make an impact this season, and there is a very good chance he will remain in Australia.
Minnesota projects to have 13 players under contract and be about $7 million below the league’s second apron once first-round pick Joan Beringer signs. The Timberwolves don’t have many draft assets over the next seven seasons, so Zikasky and their two draft assets are valuable.
Photo Credit: © Benny Sieu, Imagn Images
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