The Kevin Durant trade to Houston sees seven teams involved in the record-setting deal
Kevin Durant's trade to the Houston Rockets is official and officially record-setting.
The deal got approved by the NBA on Sunday as part of a seven-team transaction, one in which a slew of other trade agreements got folded into one massive package.
'Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,' Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. 'We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin's skill set will integrate seamlessly.'
Involved in the deal: Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Minnesota, Golden State, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers. It includes a total of 13 players — the headline moves include Durant going to Houston from Phoenix, the Rockets sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Suns, and the Rockets acquiring Clint Capela from the Hawks.
The seven-team involvement in the Durant trade tops the previous record, a six-team transaction last summer that most notably sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. Golden State — Thompson's former team — obviously was another part of that trade, as were Charlotte, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Denver on varying levels.
'One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community,' Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory said of Durant. 'As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.'
There will be at least five second-round draft picks in the deal before all terms are satisfied, the potential for another second-round pick swap and the Hawks and Timberwolves both had to receive some cash considerations to make all the math work. And some of those draft picks won't actually be made until 2032, which raises the serious possibility that some players who will go down in history as being part of the trade haven't reached high school yet.
Durant averaged 26.6 points last season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his only year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.
Houston becomes his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men's player to be part of four gold-medal teams.
Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time Finals MVP and one of eight players in NBA history with more than 30,000 career points.
'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,' Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. '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.'
Houston sent Green and Brooks to Phoenix, along with the rights to Khaman Maluach from last month's draft, a second-round pick in 2026 and another second-rounder in 2032. The Hawks got David Roddy, cash and a 2031 second-round pick swap from the Rockets. Brooklyn gets a 2026 second-round pick and another in 2030 from the Rockets, and the Warriors received the rights to Jahmai Mashack from last month's draft.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
recommended
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
13 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Pochettino criticizes officials for 3 calls he said caused US loss to Mexico in Gold Cup final
HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino faulted match officials for three key calls in the Americans' 2-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup final loss to Mexico on Sunday night, saying they wouldn't allow a video review to deny an El Tri goal for the third time in the tournament. Pochettino felt his team should have been awarded a penalty kick for a hand ball by Jorge Sánchez in the 67th minute. He also said Diego Luna should not have been whistled for the foul leading to the free kick that set up Edson Álvarez's tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute and that the original decision ruling Álvarez offside should have been upheld. Pochettino said if similar calls went against Mexico, 'it would be a fire on the stadium. But for us, it's like, OK, they are nice guys. They're nice guys. It's not a problem.' After the goal initially was disallowed by an offside flag, the decision was reversed by the VAR and Mexico went on to its 10th Gold Cup title. Defender Chris Richards, who put the U.S. ahead in the fourth minute, faulted the officials assigned to games by CONCACAF, the governing body of North and Central America and the Caribbean. He compared Sánchez's action to those of retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. Richards felt defender César Montes should have been called for a foul for blocking him on the free kick 'I think the thing about CONCACAF is that we're always one step behind with the referee,' Richards said. 'Palmed the ball like Shaq in the box, and then on the other end we had a block that was offsides. Any other week it would be called offsides. But, again, that's CONCACAF for you. They hate us and we just have to keep moving with it.' Sánchez fell in his own penalty area in the 67th minute after colliding with Max Arfsten, and Sánchez pushed down on the ball with his left hand as he tried to balance himself. Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar let play continue. 'I'm not going to cry. I wanted to tell the truth,' Pochettino said, 'and the truth was that if that happened in the opposite half, in the other box, for sure it's a penalty.' 'You say silly penalty, silly penalty,' Pochettino told reporters. 'It's like plenty of penalties that are so silly. Silly, yes. The player was with the knee on the floor. He pushed the hand over the ball. It's not that the hand was on the floor and the ball touched. OK, all the excuses now, but that was (a) penalty and maybe 2-1 for us and maybe we now are celebrating the trophy.' 'I think that is clear and it's not about to cry. It's not about the complain. It's not about to put excuses in the different things but I think we can continue talking,' Pochettino added. 'For me it was embarrassing to see that situation and it's a shame.' Mexico was awarded the key free kick when Luna was called for fouling Alexis Vega on a flank. 'He slipped and fall down alone,' Pochettino said. Johan Vásquez flicked the restart kick across the goal mouth and Álvarez burst past the defense, redirecting the ball from 3 yards just inside Matt Freese's far post. 'When he touched the ball, the player from Mexico delivered the ball, was in an offside position,' Pochettino claimed. 'That's it. Nothing more to say.' Mexico's Santiago Giménez had appeared to score on a bicycle kick in the fourth-minute of second half stoppage time in the group-stage finale against Costa Rica on June 22 but that was overturned for offside by the VAR in a match that ended 0-0. Álvarez had a 54th-minute goal that would have given El Tri a two-goal lead in the Wednesday's semifinal against Honduras but that, too, was reversed by an offside call in the a video review. Mexico advanced with a 1-0 win. 'It's difficult to give the third disallowed goal,' Pochettino said. 'Please, guys, I come from — when (was) I born I (was) born with the ball in my hands, in my arms. And I know very well what it is to play football and I know very well everything. Come on. Stop. I think my player doesn't deserve this. If we lose, we lose. No problem. I am the first to say, hey, we need to improve. But I am not crying, I am saying nothing against Mexico. Nothing. I respect Mexico.' ___ AP soccer:
Black America Web
19 minutes ago
- Black America Web
Chris Paul Says 2025-26 NBA Season Is Likely To Be His Last
Source: David Berding / Getty During an interview with Jemele Hill, future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul said that the upcoming season will likely be his last. After 20 remarkable years on the court, Paul's announcement marks the twilight of a career defined by excellence, leadership, and an unrelenting drive for greatness. RELATED: Michelle Obama And Chris Paul Celebrate National Black Voter Day [Watch] RELATED: Michael Jordan Joins NBC's NBA Coverage as 'Special Contributor' Paul told Hill, 'At the most, a year, you know, I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself.' Paul's career began in 2005 when the New Orleans Hornets selected him as the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft out of Wake Forest University. Paul quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Over two decades, he graced the courts for an array of teams, including the Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and recently, the San Antonio Spurs. Last season, Paul appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs, averaging 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists on 43 percent shooting from the field. Paul's career is decorated with achievements that reflect his extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport. Paul's accolades include 12 NBA All-Star appearances, 11-time All-NBA Team and 9 NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having represented Team USA in 2008 and 2012. His statistics tell the story of a legendary career. Paul has amassed over 21,000 points, more than 11,500 assists, and nearly 2,500 steals—stats that rank him third in all-time assists and fourth in steals in NBA history. His ability to control the pace of the game, deliver pinpoint passes, and command respect from his peers has left an indelible mark on basketball. Paul's influence extends beyond the stats sheet. Known for his leadership, he turned each team he joined into playoff contenders and mentored younger teammates with unwavering dedication. Paul is currently a free agent. SEE ALSO Chris Paul Says 2025-26 NBA Season Is Likely To Be His Last was originally published on
New York Times
25 minutes ago
- New York Times
Knicks to sign Guerschon Yabusele
The Warriors couldn't afford to offer center Kevon Looney more than the veteran's minimum without eating into their resources for upgrades. So they did what they usually do — send Looney out into a bear market to see if he could get a better offer. Usually, he couldn't and came back to the Warriors. The $8 million he made last season was the highest salary of his career. Staying with the Warriors would have meant a nearly $5 million pay cut. But for the first time in his career, the market valued him more than the Warriors. Looney got paid. An era has ended. The Warriors will have to find a new backbone. He saw this possibility nearly seven weeks ago, after Game 5 in the Western Conference semifinals, when he last took off his Warriors jersey. Golden State's season ended with an unceremonious thud, a gentleman's sweep at the hands of Minnesota, courtesy of a most valuable strained hamstring. In the visiting locker room after the game, frustration noticeably absent from his face, Looney linked on his necklace and rested the gold medallion over the MSFIT letters across his shirt. He then tied the wrap around his locks, gathered his things and left the locker room. He knew it could have been his last game with the Warriors. Yet no angst could be found. Instead, Looney greeted the uncertainty like an old friend. He smiled as he walked into an unknown future. 'Same s—, different summer,' Looney said in May. 'I don't know. I could be back. But I don't know. I never know after the last game. I've packed all my s— four times.' No. 5 was the one. Read the rest of my column on the significance of Looney's departure.
