Rockets Acquire Suns' Draft Picks From Nets With Eye On Trading For Kevin Durant

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Brooklyn Nets have reacquired their 2026 first round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2027 first round pick via the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets originally acquired the pick from the Nets in 2021 as part of the James Harden trade. The deal allows the Nets to control their own draft board, while the Rockets are angling to acquire Kevin Durant from the Suns by owning their future draft picks.

Trading for Durant becomes easier for the Rockets if they can send picks originating from the Suns back to them. The Suns are keeping Durant at this time, but that position could change next season.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[CobraCommander]

Make trading for KD make sense for the rockets - someone

[Sports_Prophet]

Why in the world would KD want to go to a team of young players. No star or super star on the level of Booker! Houston management is crazy if they think KD would approve a trade to them!

[tigerae]

Why in the world would KD want to go to a team of young players. No star or super star on the level of Booker! Houston management is crazy if they think KD would approve a trade to them!

KD has 2 years left on his contract. If the Rockets were to trade for him, he would only really have 2 options. Play for them or sit out like Harden did and not get paid.

[TheCage4]

I don’t understand why teams who are trending in the right direction get it in their heads that they need to disrupt chemistry and culture to bring in a “star.”

[flow]

I don’t understand why teams who are trending in the right direction get it in their heads that they need to disrupt chemistry and culture to bring in a “star.”

I couldn't agree more. It's maddening. Cavs were guilty of it two years ago when they traded for Mitchell.