Kevin Durant has reportedly played his final game in a Phoenix Suns jersey. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the franchise is expected to trade the two-time Finals MVP this summer, officially ending an era that fell short of championship expectations.
Durant’s arrival in Phoenix was seen as an all-in move to win now, but the results were underwhelming: just one playoff series win in three seasons.
Rockets Leading the Race for KD
The Houston Rockets have emerged as the betting favorites to land Durant, according to Bovada:
- Houston Rockets: +120
- Golden State Warriors: +325
- San Antonio Spurs: +325
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +700
- New York Knicks: +700
- Miami Heat: +700
A potential move to Houston would bring Durant to a rising young core led by Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green, with veteran support from Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
Durant’s scoring versatility and championship pedigree would give Houston the kind of elite offensive engine they’ve lacked since James Harden’s departure. For a team eager to leap back into contention, it’s a swing worth taking.
Durant, Suns to Work Together on Trade
Per Shams, Phoenix is expected to collaborate with Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a suitable destination — similar to how the Nets worked with him ahead of his move to Arizona in 2023.
With multiple contenders and retooling teams in the mix, Durant’s next stop could once again shift the league’s balance of power.
If moved again, Durant will have been traded three times in six years — a rare pattern for a player of his caliber. It also underscores how star power continues to shape front-office decisions in the modern NBA.
Phoenix’s Struggles: What Went Wrong?
The Suns’ title hopes fizzled fast, undone by:
- Coaching turnover: Three head coaches in three years — Monty Williams, Frank Vogel, and most recently Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after a 36–46 season.
- Injuries: Durant missed the final stretch with an ankle injury. Bradley Beal played just 53 games — his sixth straight season under 60.
- Cap crunch: Phoenix had one of the NBA’s most expensive rosters — $214M in salaries, $442M in projected luxury taxes — with their Big 3 eating up over $150M. That left little room to build depth or adjust.
Despite all the superstar firepower, the Suns failed to even make the playoffs in 2025 — a stunning collapse for a team built to contend.
