The Phoenix Suns have reportedly been lowering their asking price for Kevin Durant, which means their future draft picks are getting even more valuable, and that’s amazing news for the Houston Rockets. If the Suns don’t get an ideal trade package for Durant, their future may be even more bleak than meets the eye.
As it stands, the Suns already don’t have an amazing roster around Devin Booker. They need whoever comes back in a Durant trade to help lead them into the future. And if that package isn’t good, the Suns may not be a competitive team for a while, which means their 2027 and 2029 first-rounders, which the Rockets own, are even more valuable than before.
Houston is in a great spot because of that.
Why are the Suns lowering their Kevin Durant trade asking price?
This rumor comes from Kelly Iko of The Athletic, who checked in on the Rockets’ calls about a potential Durant trade of their own.
“Since the conclusion of the season, Houston has fielded several calls from Phoenix, who have since gradually lowered their asking price for Durant, those sources said,” Iko wrote. “There is a price where the Rockets would be interested, but with a fear of breaking up their roster for a 36-year-old coming off injury, doubt remains over a deal materializing.”
Regardless of if the Rockets end up being the team to trade for Durant, it sounds like the Suns haven’t been getting the offers they may have wanted for the superstar.
So, if the return they get ends up being subpar, that would be amazing for Houston, as their draft assets will improve in value.
What does this mean for Rockets’ draft picks?
Houston currently owns the Suns’ picks in 2027 and 2029, though the selection in 2029 is the most favorable of their pick’s position, the Suns’ position, and the Dallas Mavericks’ position (which is still great).
The Durant trade package being relatively bad could bode well for the Rockets, as the future of the Suns franchise would theoretically take a hit.
What the Rockets do with the Suns picks is another question. They could simply keep them and hope they turn into lottery picks, depending on how bad the Suns are in the post-Durant era.
Or, they could flip them and capitalize on the theoretical value of Phoenix’s future selections. Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks (Giannis Antetokounmpo) could want the picks in a deal that might send a superstar to Houston, solidifying its place as one of the best teams in the NBA for years to come.
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