Immediately after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets reportedly have made another trade, swapping multiple draft picks to the Houston Rockets, three of which originally belonged to the Phoenix Suns from the Kevin Durant trade.

Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that:

”Brooklyn has a deal with Houston to return the Nets’ 2026 first-round pick for a 2027 Phoenix Suns first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Rockets also acquire 2025 right to swap Houston/OKC first for 2025 Suns first-round pick …

“Houston acquires 2029 more favorable of Dallas and Phoenix first-round pick and acquires right to swap Houston first-round pick for less favorable Dallas first and Phoenix first, per sources.”

More in deal: Houston acquires 2029 more favorable of Dallas and Phoenix first-round pick and acquires right to swap Houston first-round pick for less favorable Dallas first and Phoenix first, per sources. https://t.co/jUR0f5lSjM

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

Why would the Rockets do this?

Wojnarowski explains they want to acquire Durant.

“Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and that becomes far easier if they can return the Suns’ picks that they gave up in the Durant deal to the Nets. Suns have said they’re keeping Durant for now, but that could change next season. But now, Houston has the picks to make the Suns whole again.”

Last tweet before this plane I’m on leaves – this is a joke! There is zero chance this happens – ZERO https://t.co/sA53ZRKwZk

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 26, 2024

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro shut down this report after Wojnarowski posted it.

Rockets possess a pick swap with Suns in 2025, Suns' pick in 2027 and could end up with the Suns' pick in 2029 based on contingencies. If the Suns are ever faced with breaking up team, Houston's also in prime position to pursue a younger Devin Booker. For now, Phoenix is trying… https://t.co/p29C3XSpe2

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024

Wojnarowski explained how the picks work in relation to the Suns and said that the Rockets might also use them later down the line to acquire Devin Booker.

The Suns have already said they won’t be trading any of the team’s Big 3 of Durant, Booker or Bradley Beal this offseason.

#Suns owner Mat Ishbia to our @brendan_mau on the importance of continuity:

“It was never, ‘we’re gonna win a championship this year or we got to blow it up.’ It’s just ridiculous stuff.”

“Knowing we have the whole starting 5 back (next year), I feel pretty good about that.” pic.twitter.com/7VQCGcOsCl

— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) May 2, 2024

This is even with Phoenix being swept in the first round this past season and on the books for the highest projected payroll in the NBA for the 2024-25 season. The Suns have not been shy to make big moves under owner Mat Ishbia, but he seemed to believe in continuity moving forward despite their poor finish last season.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported a few days ago that the Rockets were interested in Durant, among several other stars.

”The (Houston) Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players including Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart being some that other teams say the Rockets could have interest in targeting (with some names more far-fetched than others).”

The Houston Rockets could target Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, per @DraftExpress

“The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players… pic.twitter.com/x2oavkoDOu

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 24, 2024

Durant, who will be 36 at the start of next season, has two years left on his four-year, $194.2 million contract. He is also eligible for a one-year extension this offseason.

The Rockets hold the No. 3 overall pick in Wednesday’s 2024 NBA draft (originally from the Nets) and have a lot of youth they could be looking to maximize, which includes Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson. Houston finished as the 11th seed in the Western Conference this past season with a 41-41 record.

The Suns gave up a lot of their future pieces to acquire Durant from Brooklyn ahead of the trade deadline in Feb. 2023. Even at age 35 and five years removed from an Achilles tear, Durant still played in 75 games this past season and averaged the fifth-most points in the NBA at 27.1 per game on 52.3/41.3/85.6 shooting splits to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists after only playing eight regular season games for Phoenix in 2023. The 16-year veteran forward was then named to the All-NBA Second Team.

After the season, Suns president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones stated that the Suns have big plans to maximize Durant’s potential in the future even with his age and big season.

“A constant focus for us is to continue to figure out how to maximize Kevin Durant,” Jones said. “No one’s done it yet. I believe we’d be the first team to do it. Because if we can maximize him, we can maximize our entire roster (and) we’re a better team.”

Durant has stated that he has big future goals with the Suns and for his career in Phoenix.

“I’ve been on so many teams, and I’ve said this before, (but) right now, in this moment, today, without thinking about the next moment, yeah (I want to finish my career in Phoenix),” Durant told ESPN’s Malika Andrews in February. “But that’s just saying right now, and I can’t really predict what may happen. But I love playing in Phoenix. I love the fanbase, the city. I’ve grown to understand what our mission is being in the Valley and how deep these people care about their team.

“I started understanding the history of the Suns, and I’m glad to be a part of it. I want to go up in that Ring of Honor one day, so however long that takes.”

Immediately after the Suns were swept in the playoffs, The Athletic’s Shams Charania released a story detailing some of the frustrations in the Suns’ locker room, including with Durant:

“Meanwhile, Durant, among the best scorers in NBA history, was not always happy with how he was used. Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season. Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls. At the same time, some teammates and people close to the organization believed Durant needed to voice his concerns more adamantly and directly with (Frank) Vogel and his coaching staff.”

"I want to go up in that ring of honor one day."

Kevin Durant on playing for the Suns.

(via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/GmHjeApZrv

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 22, 2024

Less than a couple weeks after this report came out, the Suns moved on from Vogel after one season and replaced him with Mike Budenholzer.

Because of Durant’s recent history of playing for multiple teams since he left the Oklahoma City Thunder, there will always be speculation that he could move on elsewhere.

Bleacher Report said that Durant requesting a trade would be the Suns’ “biggest fear” this offseason, and later put him atop a list of the biggest trade targets across the league.