Houston Rockets Acquire Kevin Durant in Major Trade

Houston

The NBA offseason for 2025 was marked by a groundbreaking seven-team trade, which has notably shifted the landscape of the league. Key among the trades was the transfer of Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets, a move that has enabled the Rockets to bolster their roster while simultaneously reducing the strength of division rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.

As part of the blockbuster deal, the Rockets also acquired Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year, $53 million contract, and Clint Capela, who joined with a three-year, $21 million deal. This strategic enhancement of the Rockets’ lineup is expected to yield significant competitive advantages going into the new season.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have been active in the offseason, re-signing Luka Dončić to a hefty three-year, $165 million extension. In addition, they brought in Deandre Ayton on a two-year deal for vital center support after parting ways with Jaxson Hayes. Furthermore, the Lakers added Marcus Smart on a two-year, $11 million deal after he agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards.

The San Antonio Spurs made headlines by obtaining the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and selecting Dylan Harper. They also secured De’Aaron Fox with a lucrative four-year extension worth up to $229 million, solidifying their future core.

In a surprising move, the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remainder of his $113 million contract to free up cap space for Myles Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million deal. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks welcomed Mike Brown as their new head coach in an effort to refine their offensive strategies. Mikal Bridges also re-signed with the Knicks for four years at $150 million, ensuring continuity on the roster.

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a significant coup by securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, allowing them to select Cooper Flagg. Additionally, the New Orleans Pelicans strengthened their roster by acquiring Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey in a trade that sent CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards.

The Memphis Grizzlies retained star player Jaren Jackson Jr. with a five-year, $240 million extension, solidifying his status as a central figure for the franchise. The Atlanta Hawks also acquired Kristaps Porziņģis via trade to bolster their roster around star player Trae Young.

The Los Angeles Clippers made strides by bringing in Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul without extending long-term financial commitments, offering flexibility heading into the season. Conversely, the Suns have suffered losses including both Durant and Beal, the latter of whom is expected to be bought out.

Additionally, the Charlotte Hornets signed Collin Sexton from the Jazz, while the Sacramento Kings added Dennis Schröder and Dario Šarić through trades. The Indiana Pacers faced setbacks with the injury of Tyrese Haliburton and the departure of Myles Turner in free agency. On the other hand, the Utah Jazz bolstered their squad with acquisitions including Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love.

The NBA salary cap for the 2025-26 season is set at $154.647 million, with tax levels established at $187.895 million. As teams navigate these changes, many franchises are strategizing for future adjustments, particularly with high-profile players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James potentially on the move.