Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has addressed the blockbuster seven-team trade that brought Kevin Durant to Houston, calling the process lengthy but ultimately worthwhile.
Speaking on the deal, Stone explained that the Rockets weighed Phoenix’s asking price for Durant for over a year. “We understood what they wanted to get for Kevin, and it just didn’t make sense for our team—starting, I don’t know, a year ago. So, there were all these conversations, and it was a very, very long process,” Stone said on ESPN Houston, via HoopsHype.
The Rockets sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Suns as part of the transaction, a move Stone admitted was difficult given their impact on last season’s success. “Dillon and Jalen were just awesome. As people and as co-workers, they were amazing. We were the number two seed last year, on a very, very, very young team. And I thought we played Golden State really tough,” he added.
Durant now joins a Houston roster that already features Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Fred VanVleet. Clint Capela, also acquired in the deal, strengthens the team’s frontcourt with rebounding and rim protection.
The Rockets finished 52–30 last season, establishing themselves as contenders ahead of schedule. The addition of Durant, who averaged 26.6 points per game last year, signals Houston’s push to compete immediately for a championship.
For Phoenix, the deal marked a reset after missing the postseason. The Suns landed Green, Brooks, and a package of young talent, including Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming, giving them flexibility to rebuild around younger pieces.
Stone emphasized that while the Rockets are thrilled to add Durant, the trade was not about celebrating but about positioning the team for sustained success. “Obviously, we did the trade. We’re really happy with it. I’ve gotten to know Kevin a little bit, and I’m really happy with him as a person,” Stone said.
