With the NBA Finals nearing its end and the NBA Draft approaching on June 25, trade speculation involving Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has reached a new intensity.
Rumors and hypothetical trades featuring Durant continue to surface daily—and sometimes even hourly—as the league waits to see if the former MVP will stay in Phoenix or be moved elsewhere.
One team consistently linked to Durant in recent months is the Houston Rockets. On Monday, HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto reported on which players the Rockets might be willing to include in a trade for the 15-time All-Star—and which ones they’re not likely to part with.
“Houston owns Phoenix’s No. 10 pick in this year’s draft, as well as the Suns’ first-rounders in 2027 and 2029. Reclaiming those picks would be a major draw for Phoenix in any potential deal, league sources told HoopsHype. The Rockets also have a deep pool of young talent that could help the Suns remain competitive around Devin Booker,” Scotto noted. “However, Houston has reportedly been reluctant to include 22-year-old First Team All-Defensive guard Amen Thompson in trade discussions.”
Thompson was a standout during the 2024-25 season, leading Houston in field goal percentage (55.7%) and blocks per game (1.3), while averaging 14.1 points—tied for third on the team.
Houston Also Expected to Hold On to All-Star Center
Scotto added that Houston is also unlikely to include 22-year-old All-Star center Alperen Sengun in a deal for Durant.
“League sources believe the Rockets would prefer not to part with Sengun in negotiations with Phoenix,” Scotto reported.
Despite a previous report from May that Houston was open to trading Sengun in its pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the young center remains a core piece. Sengun led the team in rebounding (10.3 per game) and finished second in both scoring (19.1) and assists (4.9) this season.
Who Might Houston Be Willing to Trade for Durant?
Although Sengun and Thompson may be considered off-limits, other players could be in play. Scotto mentioned guard Jalen Green as a potential trade chip.
“In a possible Durant deal, Houston could include Jalen Green and his $33.33 million salary for the 2025-26 season. With the Suns already housing guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal—and having unsuccessfully tried to trade Beal before the deadline—Phoenix has done background work on Green’s league-wide value, potentially to flip him again after a trade,” Scotto wrote.
Green led the Rockets in scoring this season (21.0 PPG), playing in all 82 games while averaging 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists, with shooting splits of .423/.354/.813.
Additionally, forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, both former high draft picks eligible for rookie-scale extensions this offseason, could be part of the discussion. If extensions aren’t reached, they’ll enter the final year of their rookie contracts before hitting restricted free agency in 2026.
Scotto also named guard Reed Sheppard and swingman Cam Whitmore as possible trade pieces.
“Sheppard, a former No. 3 overall pick, saw limited minutes—just 12.6 per game across 52 appearances—due to the depth at his position and the team’s intention to keep Fred VanVleet,” Scotto noted. “Cam Whitmore is another talented wing whose playing time has been squeezed by the team’s crowded rotation, making him another potential trade candidate.”
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