According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, although James Jones officially held the title of Phoenix’s head of basketball operations last February, it was actually CEO Josh Bartelstein who handled much of the communication with opposing teams regarding potential Kevin Durant trade discussions.
League sources told Amick that the Houston Rockets made a late attempt to acquire Durant before last year’s trade deadline, proposing a package centered around Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
However, Phoenix reportedly wanted Dillon Brooks included in the deal and ultimately chose to postpone serious negotiations until the offseason.
The analyst added that a Rockets source disputed the claim that Smith was ever part of the offer.
Despite the Suns’ strong improvement this season, Amick notes that the organization still faces long-term roster challenges after previously trading away numerous draft picks and pick swaps to acquire Durant and Bradley Beal.
In addition, Phoenix will continue to carry Bradley Beal’s dead-money cap charge for several more seasons, a factor that is expected to restrict the team’s financial flexibility moving forward.
Suns Notes: Highsmith, Ishbia, Brooks, 2027 All-Star Game https://t.co/QyxuKXsPTM
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 15, 2026
