BREAKING Kevin Durant joins Alperen Şengün for Houston s championship aspirations

The Western Conference has just been rocked by another major trade: Kevin Durant, the 15-time NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, is heading to the Houston Rockets. This monumental deal, confirmed by sources to The Athletic and ESPN, sees the Phoenix Suns receive Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and an additional five second-round picks. While the trade won't be finalized until the new league year begins on July 6, the implications are immediate and far-reaching for both franchises.

For the Houston Rockets, this is a massive acquisition that instantly can catapult them into championship contention. Under coach Ime Udoka, who recently signed a long-term extension, the Rockets won 52 games this season and already boasted a promising core. Durant now joins a team anchored by rising stars like Alperen Şengün – an All-Star this season and widely regarded as one of the NBA's best young prospects – and the dynamic Amen Thompson, alongside veteran guard Fred VanVleet.

Exciting duo: Kevin Durant-Alperen Şengün

The potential power of a Durant-Alperen Şengün duo is immense. Durant, even at 36 (turning 37 in September), remains one of the most lethal and efficient scorers in basketball history. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this past season, maintaining remarkable shooting percentages (52.7% overall, 43% from three). His ability to create shots and excel in isolation situations (leading the NBA in points per direct isolation among players with over 200 isolations this season) perfectly addresses a weakness for the Rockets, who ranked 27th in effective field goal percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers.

Rockets starters:
Kevin Durant
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith Jr
Alperen Sengun
Top __ starting 5 in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KctlEm7Hzc

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 22, 2025

Alperen Şengün, meanwhile, provides the perfect complement. His unique blend of post-scoring, elite passing from the high and low post, and burgeoning defensive capabilities make him a nightmare matchup for opponents. His vision and ability to facilitate offense will unlock even more opportunities for Durant, creating a synergy that could be reminiscent of other great big man-scoring wing duos. Şengün’s growth into an All-Star this season signals his readiness to be a cornerstone of a contending team, and learning alongside a veteran like Durant will only accelerate his development. The Rockets, who ranked seventh in isolations per game but 27th in points per direct isolation, desperately needed a potent shot creator, and Durant fits seamlessly into that role. Houston's odds to win the NBA title next season have already shifted dramatically from 18-1 to +850, now second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For the Phoenix Suns, this trade marks a significant reset. General Manager Brian Gregory, recently promoted, is orchestrating a front-office revamp aimed at establishing a new organizational identity focused on "toughness," as preached by owner Mat Ishbia. Durant's time in Phoenix was ultimately disappointing. Despite his individual greatness, the much-hyped pairing of Durant and Devin Booker never fully materialized into a dominant duo, and the addition of Bradley Beal only added more complexity and health struggles. The Suns won just one playoff series with Durant on the roster, and this past season, they missed the play-in tournament entirely with the league's highest payroll.

The decision to move Durant became clear at this season's trade deadline when the underperforming Suns explored trading him without his knowledge – a move Durant reportedly did not appreciate. With Phoenix facing severe roster flexibility issues as a second-apron team, a complete reset was necessary. The Suns are now expected to try and move Beal as well, though his substantial contract and no-trade clause will make that a difficult endeavor.

The Suns' plan now revolves around Devin Booker, a four-time All-Star and the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Booker, eligible for a two-year, $150 million extension this summer, will lead the team under new head coach Jordan Ott, a first-time head coach hired after an extensive search. The Suns have replenished their draft capital, acquiring three first-round and eight second-round picks, providing them with assets to rebuild and reshape their roster.

This trade is the latest in a series of Western Conference shake-ups, following other major deals involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, De'Aaron Fox, and Jimmy Butler. The Durant-Şengün pairing instantly becomes one of the league's most intriguing duos, promising an exciting new chapter for the Houston Rockets as they aim for championship glory.