The Houston Rockets made a monumental multi-draft pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets, the teams announced Wednesday.
Following the deal, the Rockets are looking to pursue a major upgrade, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Among the stars the Rockets are now interested in is the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant, Wojnarowski reports, and they acquired draft capital in order to entice Phoenix to trade the 14-time All-Star. However, the Suns reportedly intend to keep Durant, and Houston is determined to be aggressive on other potential deals.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia also suggested Wednesday that the franchise has no intentions of trading the 35-year-old as it looks to compete for an NBA title.
NBA Draft night is the best. Everyone talking about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong.
β Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) June 26, 2024
My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it. Gottaβ¦
Houston is trading the Nets' 2025 pick swap and 2026 first-round selection - both of which came from the James Harden deal in 2021 - back to Brooklyn for the Suns' 2027 first-rounder and a 2025 Suns pick swap. The Nets initially received those picks by trading Durant to the Suns last season.
The Rockets also received a 2029 first-rounder (whichever is more favorable between Phoenix and the Dallas Mavericks) as well as the right to swap their own pick with the less favorable of the Mavs' and Suns' selections that year.
| Rockets receive | Nets receive |
|---|---|
| 2025 pick swap (via PHX) | Own 2025 pick swap |
| 2027 1st-rounder (via PHX) | Own 2026 1st-rounder |
| 2029 1st-rounder + pick swap |
If Houston decides to be more patient in its pursuit of a star, it could make a run for the Suns' other lead option, Devin Booker, Wojnarowski adds.
The Rockets made multiple splashy moves last offseason, adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks on sizeable free-agent deals. Despite a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, the team missed the play-in tournament with a 41-41 record.
Houston also possesses the No. 3 pick in Wednesday's draft, which has long been discussed as another potential trade chip. The Rockets currently roster six players they've taken in the first round over the last three seasons.
Meanwhile, the Nets were able to recoup their remaining lost picks from the Harden deal as they enter a full-fledged rebuild.
The deal was reported minutes after the Nets reportedly received five first-round picks from the New York Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges.
