In perhaps the biggest trade of all-time, the Houston Rockets have traded for 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. None was as big as the one that went down on Wednesday. It features last year’s No. 2 overall pick and budding star Jalen Green, new veteran smokescreen Dillon Brooks, the No. 23 overall selection from this year’s draft, and five second-round picks.
Durant, who will be 37 in September, has long proven he can still fill it up with the best of them. This past campaign, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 62 contests. It’s unsurprising, considering his standout performance, that so many now view him as one of the player’s most skilled players in the league. He owned the NBA at times, ranking first in points per direct isolation. He did this remarkable achievement against players who defended at least 200 isolations that season, emphasizing his ability to generate easy buckets.
Perhaps the most striking element of Durant’s game aside from his scoring volume is his shooting efficiency. He posted the NBA-best shooting percentage on jumpers at 49.7% and was phenomenal with midrange attempts, shooting 53.1%. Durant did something as remarkable as scoring all those points. He made 234 three-pointers that season, an NBA record. That marked the most in a single season for a Rockets player since James Harden in 2019-20.
Durant’s winning pedigree goes well beyond this season. He has maintained an impressive streak of averaging at least 25 points per game, shooting 50% from the field, and 40% from three-point range for three consecutive seasons. This is an unprecedented achievement in NBA history. He has one of the best off-the-dribble jump shooting percentages in the entire league, nailing 50.9% of his attempts. This astounding prowess cements Smith’s status as a proven shooter and currently one of the league’s elite isolation players.
The Rockets’ decision to bring Durant into their organization is rooted in a strategic vision for the team’s competitive future. KD’s golden ticket KD’s acquisition gives Houston perhaps the most dangerous jump shooter and shot creator on earth, and one that is the perfect fit into their starting five. The franchise hopes to continue to add to their core of young talent while bringing in the right experienced players who can help them win now.
Durant’s connection to new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. They both often speak about their tight friendship formed during their days with the Brooklyn Nets. Their bond strengthened on the USA Basketball circuit. Their familiarity should help smooth Durant’s transition to Houston and ultimately maximize his impact on the court.
To complete the deal, Durant comes to Houston on an expiring $54.7 million contract. With the trade, he is now free to sign a new two-year contract extension. Making the most of this opportunity would cement his long-term future with the Rockets.
Prior to this deal with the Houston Rockets, Durant had been dominating the news cycle for his stint with the Phoenix Suns. He came to the franchise via trade in February 2023. From the jump, he dominated, averaging 26.8 points per game—now the record for the highest average in Suns history for a player during their time with the team.
Leave a Reply