The transaction nets six players and 13 draft selections, and as per the NBA, it is the largest number of teams that have ever been involved in a trade in the history of the league.
The massive trade includes the Suns, Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In addition to Durant, Houston will get center Clint Capela, with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Daeqwon Plowden, a first round pick (which belongs to Houston) in the 2023 player draft (10), Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea plus a second round draft pick going to the desert.
Brooklyn will get two second round picks and Lakers will get the rights to Adou Thiero, Minnesota gets rights to Rocco zikarsky back together with two second round picks and cash, Hawks collect David Roddy, a second round swap and cash and lastly, Golden State will collect the rights of Alex Toohey and Jahmai Mashack.
Head coach of the Rockets Ime Udoka has praised two-time NBA champion Durant, labeling him as a player who fits the kind of competitor the team in Houston has been assembling.
According to the statement given by Udoka on Sunday, he said, His skill set, his passion to play basketball, and his commitment to his craft make him one of the most respected players of this generation, and my staff and I are looking forward to working with him.
When Durant was put on the stage in Fanatics Fest in New York last month, the announcement was made by the presenter who surprised the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
As a Houston Rockets player, I am excited about it. Insane, insane past couple weeks but it is over with and I am relieved about that,” Durant had to tell Kay Adams after the event.
He later said: They had a terrific year last year, they adore their leadership. I felt that I would be a good addition.”
Regarding the team he departs, the 36 year old said, they wanted him to leave. They had what they wanted and I had what I wanted.
We have nothing against the people and can wish them good luck in the future and always remember my time there.”
Charania broke the news about the original Durant trade first.
Durant, the 2024 Paris Games gold medalist with four Olympic gold medals, played 62 games with 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the previous season on average.
The Rockets ended the season with a record of 52-30 in the 2nd playoff standing of the Western Conference and lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.
Durant comes back to Lone Star State where he played in University of Texas 1 season as a college ball player.
