Ime Udoka played a central role in convincing the Houston Rockets to pursue and ultimately acquire Kevin Durant, according to reporting from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
The franchise initially resisted trading its young core, but Udoka’s push and a favorable trade price led to a sudden shift in direction just days before the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Windhorst stated that Udoka “went to ownership and front office” asking, “Can we get Kevin Durant? Get him.” The Houston coach previously worked with Durant in Brooklyn and has personal ties through Texas alum Royal Ivey, now on the Rockets’ staff.
Durant, 36, was dealt by the Phoenix Suns to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round selections.
The deal reshapes both franchises. Houston adds a proven postseason scorer to a 52–30 team that secured the No. 2 seed in the West but was eliminated in the first round by Golden State.
Durant averaged 26.6 points across 75 games this season and brings championship experience to a group featuring Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Fred VanVleet.
For the Suns, the move ends a short-lived era built around Durant and signals a pivot toward rebuilding. Phoenix missed the playoffs at 36–46, finishing 11th in the conference.
RealGM noted that Rockets general manager Rafael Stone initially made internal and external commitments to building around Houston’s young talent. But that stance changed rapidly in the weeks before the trade.
The asking price was described as “just so low they couldn’t say no,” per Windhorst, allowing the Rockets to retain key pieces like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.
Eason, in particular, is viewed internally as a potential long-term replacement for Brooks in Houston’s defensive scheme.
The Rockets now boast one of the league’s deepest rotations and enter the offseason with championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, Phoenix receives a 23-year-old scoring guard in Green and gains roster flexibility with multiple draft picks and trade assets.
Durant is under contract through the 2025–26 season and will earn $54.7 million next year. The move marks his fourth team since 2019.
