Initially, Rafael Stone and the Rockets organization made public and private commitments to their developing young core. They emphasized that trading away these promising players for a superstar was not part of their strategy. However, circumstances shifted in recent weeks, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “I believe he wanted to have his young team grow, but something happened the last few weeks,” said Brian Windhorst. “Ime Udoka, who had him in his Brooklyn—Royal Ivey is on his staff—he was his teammate at Texas. He wanted him. He went to ownership and front office and said ‘Can we can get Kevin Durant? Get him.’”
Source: RealGM
Source: RealGM
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
The great @bomani_jones comes on the show, we hit on the OKC dynasty in the making, the future of Tyrese Haliburton, Kevin Durant and some slander
🍎: tinyurl.com/2ss2h25y
: tinyurl.com/5p9ayjtb
📺: youtu.be/VvJhkUUjfA4 pic.x.com/IH5nKcsNMj – 7:16 PM
The great @bomani_jones comes on the show, we hit on the OKC dynasty in the making, the future of Tyrese Haliburton, Kevin Durant and some slander
🍎: tinyurl.com/2ss2h25y
: tinyurl.com/5p9ayjtb📺: youtu.be/VvJhkUUjfA4 pic.x.com/IH5nKcsNMj – 7:16 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
New @RedNationHoops episode w/ @DUNOTS: Reacting to the Kevin Durant trade
rednationhoops.com/p/reacting-to-… – 6:02 PM
New @RedNationHoops episode w/ @DUNOTS: Reacting to the Kevin Durant trade
rednationhoops.com/p/reacting-to-… – 6:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
We’ve got plenty of new tidbits to discuss following yesterday’s Kevin Durant trade, including what might be next for the Suns! Plus, we’re diving into Jalen Green’s game and fit in Phoenix! @PHNX_Suns is going live, get in here:
youtube.com/watch?v=OnqLrl… – 5:57 PM
We’ve got plenty of new tidbits to discuss following yesterday’s Kevin Durant trade, including what might be next for the Suns! Plus, we’re diving into Jalen Green’s game and fit in Phoenix! @PHNX_Suns is going live, get in here:
youtube.com/watch?v=OnqLrl… – 5:57 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… pic.x.com/vXPLaIs5SK – 5:50 PM
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… pic.x.com/vXPLaIs5SK – 5:50 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
“If you look at Achilles injuries, with the exception of Kevin Durant, no NBA player has really come back at the same level after his injury.”
The scary truth of Achilles tears:
foxsports.com/stories/nba/th… – 5:09 PM
“If you look at Achilles injuries, with the exception of Kevin Durant, no NBA player has really come back at the same level after his injury.”
The scary truth of Achilles tears:
foxsports.com/stories/nba/th… – 5:09 PM
Adam Aaronson @SixersAdam
ICYMI: This week’s 5 Sixers thoughts includes words on the brilliance of the Oklahoma City Thunder — now and moving forward — plus Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating injury and T.J. McConnell having a moment in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Also KD trade, more…
phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-nb… – 4:16 PM
ICYMI: This week’s 5 Sixers thoughts includes words on the brilliance of the Oklahoma City Thunder — now and moving forward — plus Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating injury and T.J. McConnell having a moment in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Also KD trade, more…
phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-nb… – 4:16 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… – 3:50 PM
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… – 3:50 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
As Heat moves forward after Kevin Durant gets traded elsewhere, a busy and important part of this offseason begins today for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… A rundown of what the Heat is able to begin doing today – 3:47 PM
As Heat moves forward after Kevin Durant gets traded elsewhere, a busy and important part of this offseason begins today for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… A rundown of what the Heat is able to begin doing today – 3:47 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
After the Kevin Durant trade, what’s next for the Rockets, Suns, Heat, Timberwolves & Raptors? How Tyrese Haliburton’s injury may affect Myles Turner, Thunder notes, Kings trade talks, Guerschon Yabusele’s free agency & a Chris Boucher chat on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-inte… – 3:20 PM
After the Kevin Durant trade, what’s next for the Rockets, Suns, Heat, Timberwolves & Raptors? How Tyrese Haliburton’s injury may affect Myles Turner, Thunder notes, Kings trade talks, Guerschon Yabusele’s free agency & a Chris Boucher chat on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-inte… – 3:20 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The moves next up after the Kevin Durant trade: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 3:05 PM
The moves next up after the Kevin Durant trade: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 3:05 PM
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Sam Presti built and then rebuilt a contender around a superstar trio. The lessons he learned the with Durant-Westbrook and Harden helped “inform the music” on this second riff with SGA, Chet and JDub —a team that grew together, not apart. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 2:12 PM
Sam Presti built and then rebuilt a contender around a superstar trio. The lessons he learned the with Durant-Westbrook and Harden helped “inform the music” on this second riff with SGA, Chet and JDub —a team that grew together, not apart. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 2:12 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… pic.x.com/SNg7UZxwJm – 1:49 PM
Free episode: The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA Champions; KD is Traded to the Rockets with @DannyLeroux
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dun…
open.spotify.com/episode/3mTB0S… pic.x.com/SNg7UZxwJm – 1:49 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Had that man showed up in the postseason against the Golden State Warriors and played better, this wouldn’t have happened. Jalen Green showed you he ain’t ready.” Stephen A. Smith.
Suns acquired Green in Kevin Durant trade.
“There are a lot of people in Houston and in the NBA pic.x.com/vBtH4aIMc7 – 1:39 PM
“Had that man showed up in the postseason against the Golden State Warriors and played better, this wouldn’t have happened. Jalen Green showed you he ain’t ready.” Stephen A. Smith.
Suns acquired Green in Kevin Durant trade.
“There are a lot of people in Houston and in the NBA pic.x.com/vBtH4aIMc7 – 1:39 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Column on Kevin Durant’s ~legacy~ in Phoenix: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 1:27 PM
Column on Kevin Durant’s ~legacy~ in Phoenix: arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-su… – 1:27 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
We are [checks notes] back.
Live w/@adaniels33 on @SiriusXMNBA Channel 86 for the next 3 hours.
📞 855-NBA-JUMP
📡 sxm.app.link/WorldWideWobNBA
– OKC champs, big favorites to repeat
– IND w/o Hali
– Eastern Conference
– Durant
– Achilles epidemic
3 hours wont be enough. Join us! pic.x.com/kniMQk6HWK – 1:00 PM
We are [checks notes] back.
Live w/@adaniels33 on @SiriusXMNBA Channel 86 for the next 3 hours.
📞 855-NBA-JUMP
📡 sxm.app.link/WorldWideWobNBA
– OKC champs, big favorites to repeat
– IND w/o Hali
– Eastern Conference
– Durant
– Achilles epidemic
3 hours wont be enough. Join us! pic.x.com/kniMQk6HWK – 1:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Visited Suns for pre-draft workouts: Danny Wolf, Johni Broome, Chaz Lanier, Jaxson Robinson, Ryan Nembhard, Grant Nelson, Reyne Smith, Caleb Grill, Izan Almansa.
Jonathan Givony: Suns look to have “lottery guys” in today, tomorrow. Have 10th pick after Kevin Durant trade. #Suns pic.x.com/8FMUL57jHT – 1:00 PM
Visited Suns for pre-draft workouts: Danny Wolf, Johni Broome, Chaz Lanier, Jaxson Robinson, Ryan Nembhard, Grant Nelson, Reyne Smith, Caleb Grill, Izan Almansa.
Jonathan Givony: Suns look to have “lottery guys” in today, tomorrow. Have 10th pick after Kevin Durant trade. #Suns pic.x.com/8FMUL57jHT – 1:00 PM
Roland Lazenby @lazenby
“If you can’t get LeBron [James], I think KD is the best” – Kevin Garnett wanted Kevin Durant in New York before Rockets made a move basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/ke… – 12:59 PM
“If you can’t get LeBron [James], I think KD is the best” – Kevin Garnett wanted Kevin Durant in New York before Rockets made a move basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/ke… – 12:59 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll!
– OKC wins the championship, which is what this is all for
– Kevin Durant traded to Houston on the same day
– Dario Saric opts into Player Option for Nuggets
youtu.be/Z6T7oSsuYKU pic.x.com/6YVu55toL5 – 12:01 PM
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll!
– OKC wins the championship, which is what this is all for
– Kevin Durant traded to Houston on the same day
– Dario Saric opts into Player Option for Nuggets
youtu.be/Z6T7oSsuYKU pic.x.com/6YVu55toL5 – 12:01 PM
Justin Verrier @JustinVerrier
All new, Game 7 edition of Group Chat with @RobMahoney and @BigWos, where the Thunder are your 2025 NBA champions. Haliburton’s gut-wrenching injury, OKC’s dynasty potential – plus, the KD trade and much more.
Thanks for listening this season 🫶
open.spotify.com/episode/65iulP… – 11:50 AM
All new, Game 7 edition of Group Chat with @RobMahoney and @BigWos, where the Thunder are your 2025 NBA champions. Haliburton’s gut-wrenching injury, OKC’s dynasty potential – plus, the KD trade and much more.
Thanks for listening this season 🫶
open.spotify.com/episode/65iulP… – 11:50 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“First of all, I’m ecstatic for Ime Udoka. He wanted this to happen. That’s why this happened because I can tell you (Rockets team owner) Tilman Fertitta and others had their reservations, but Ime did not.”
Stephen A. Smith on Rockets coach wanting Kevin Durant. #Suns #Rockets pic.x.com/qIjVTckCdu – 11:43 AM
“First of all, I’m ecstatic for Ime Udoka. He wanted this to happen. That’s why this happened because I can tell you (Rockets team owner) Tilman Fertitta and others had their reservations, but Ime did not.”
Stephen A. Smith on Rockets coach wanting Kevin Durant. #Suns #Rockets pic.x.com/qIjVTckCdu – 11:43 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
First-round talent interested in results of Kevin Durant trade, Phoenix Suns draft (w/video) #Suns #NBADraft azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.x.com/myE5z0K2tD – 11:34 AM
First-round talent interested in results of Kevin Durant trade, Phoenix Suns draft (w/video) #Suns #NBADraft azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.x.com/myE5z0K2tD – 11:34 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I love and revere this man. Pat Riley, but at the same time, how many players are you missing out on getting to South Beach?
Stephen A. Smith on Miami Heat not landing Kevin Durant.
Suns traded Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 10th pick in 2025 draft and five pic.x.com/KXxz5H1ov9 – 11:30 AM
“I love and revere this man. Pat Riley, but at the same time, how many players are you missing out on getting to South Beach?
Stephen A. Smith on Miami Heat not landing Kevin Durant.
Suns traded Durant to Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 10th pick in 2025 draft and five pic.x.com/KXxz5H1ov9 – 11:30 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW: As Heat moves forward after Kevin Durant gets traded elsewhere, a busy and important part of this offseason begins today for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… A rundown of what the Heat is able to begin doing today – 11:17 AM
NEW: As Heat moves forward after Kevin Durant gets traded elsewhere, a busy and important part of this offseason begins today for the Heat miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… A rundown of what the Heat is able to begin doing today – 11:17 AM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
I’ll be discussing the Kevin Durant trade, Thunder and Pacers outlook, and the start of the offseason with @SamQuinnCBS shortly on a live Third Apron podcast.
Join us at 11:30 AM ET/8:30 AM PT!
Chat: youtube.com/live/o2REALedj…
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:10 AM
I’ll be discussing the Kevin Durant trade, Thunder and Pacers outlook, and the start of the offseason with @SamQuinnCBS shortly on a live Third Apron podcast.
Join us at 11:30 AM ET/8:30 AM PT!
Chat: youtube.com/live/o2REALedj…
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:10 AM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
OKC Wins Chip | Hali Injury | KD Trade| Lakers Offseason Begins | Guest: Eric Pincus x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
OKC Wins Chip | Hali Injury | KD Trade| Lakers Offseason Begins | Guest: Eric Pincus x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Adam Aaronson @SixersAdam
New: Kicking off a massive week with 5 Sixers thoughts…
• OKC wins NBA Finals in Game 7
• Tyrese Haliburton goes down… who wants to win the Eastern Conference next year?
• More T.J. McConnell absurdity
• Kevin Durant trade thoughts
• more!
phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-nb… – 10:24 AM
New: Kicking off a massive week with 5 Sixers thoughts…
• OKC wins NBA Finals in Game 7
• Tyrese Haliburton goes down… who wants to win the Eastern Conference next year?
• More T.J. McConnell absurdity
• Kevin Durant trade thoughts
• more!
phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-nb… – 10:24 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
What to make of Suns’ Kevin Durant trade, the return they got…and what comes next – bit.ly/43XbjAg via @PHNX_Suns – 10:02 AM
What to make of Suns’ Kevin Durant trade, the return they got…and what comes next – bit.ly/43XbjAg via @PHNX_Suns – 10:02 AM
Bill Reiter @sportsreiter
The radio show is live from 10-noon ET on the @InfSportsNet: Thunder win it all, Halliburton heartbreak, KD to Rockets, @JaredSGreenberg, Buy Or Sell, @Ryan_Hickey3 popped the question, defenses do win championships, more.
LISTEN:
ReiterThanYou.com
@Audacy
@SIRIUSXM 375 – 9:56 AM
The radio show is live from 10-noon ET on the @InfSportsNet: Thunder win it all, Halliburton heartbreak, KD to Rockets, @JaredSGreenberg, Buy Or Sell, @Ryan_Hickey3 popped the question, defenses do win championships, more.
LISTEN:
ReiterThanYou.com
@Audacy
@SIRIUSXM 375 – 9:56 AM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New pod with @tomhaberstroh: the weirdest Finals Game 7 ever, OKC’s historic season + dynasty potential, and what’s next for the Haliburton-less Pacers.
Plus we talk KD + draft.
APPLE: tinyurl.com/yc7esv9n
SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/4cub92v8
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/live/Xfgxy3Ra-…
🏀 pic.x.com/hHQ4Ahegpb – 9:23 AM
New pod with @tomhaberstroh: the weirdest Finals Game 7 ever, OKC’s historic season + dynasty potential, and what’s next for the Haliburton-less Pacers.
Plus we talk KD + draft.
APPLE: tinyurl.com/yc7esv9n
SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/4cub92v8
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/live/Xfgxy3Ra-…
🏀 pic.x.com/hHQ4Ahegpb – 9:23 AM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
New Dunc’d On is out and FREE. @DannyLeroux and I break down the epic journey of this Thunder team while mourning the Tyrese Haliburton injury and what might have been.
Then, a look at the Kevin Durant trade from every possible angle. Search “Dunc’d On” in your podcast player. pic.x.com/0tED2eIxdJ – 1:18 AM
New Dunc’d On is out and FREE. @DannyLeroux and I break down the epic journey of this Thunder team while mourning the Tyrese Haliburton injury and what might have been.
Then, a look at the Kevin Durant trade from every possible angle. Search “Dunc’d On” in your podcast player. pic.x.com/0tED2eIxdJ – 1:18 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
2024 USA gold medal mens 🏀 in 2025
Embiid: knee
Booker: Suns 11th place
Durant: ankle, traded
Davis: traded, adductor
Adebayo: swept
James: MCL
Curry: hamstring
Tatum: Achilles
White: lost East semis
Holiday: ditto
Edwards: lost WCF in 5 2nd straight year
Haliburton: Achilles pic.x.com/zMSY9vRtsb – 12:57 AM
2024 USA gold medal mens 🏀 in 2025
Embiid: knee
Booker: Suns 11th place
Durant: ankle, traded
Davis: traded, adductor
Adebayo: swept
James: MCL
Curry: hamstring
Tatum: Achilles
White: lost East semis
Holiday: ditto
Edwards: lost WCF in 5 2nd straight year
Haliburton: Achilles pic.x.com/zMSY9vRtsb – 12:57 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On today’s Kevin Durant trade, how it got to this point, some details on a few offers Phoenix got, how the Suns view Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and what’s coming next in the draft and the rest of the offseason: bit.ly/43XbjAg – 12:26 AM
On today’s Kevin Durant trade, how it got to this point, some details on a few offers Phoenix got, how the Suns view Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, and what’s coming next in the draft and the rest of the offseason: bit.ly/43XbjAg – 12:26 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti built 2 contenders from the ground floor in the NBA’s smallest market.
The first era went to 4 West Finals and 1 Finals but had 3 contending years taken away due to injury.
Then Kevin Durant left in his prime and OKC got 0 assets in return.
That loss would devastate – 12:23 AM
Sam Presti built 2 contenders from the ground floor in the NBA’s smallest market.
The first era went to 4 West Finals and 1 Finals but had 3 contending years taken away due to injury.
Then Kevin Durant left in his prime and OKC got 0 assets in return.
That loss would devastate – 12:23 AM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Brooklyn
Team USA Houston
KD and Ime Udoka’s history runs deep 🤝 pic.x.com/C78MJVIlhm – 1:53 PM
Brooklyn
Team USA HoustonKD and Ime Udoka’s history runs deep 🤝 pic.x.com/C78MJVIlhm – 1:53 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
The Brooklyn Nets were going to hire Ime Udoka after firing Steve Nash, but that got stopped… so KD reunites with Udoka in Houston
Udoka will be Durant’s 8th head coach in 8 seasons (Kerr, Atkinson, Vaughn, Nash, Williams, Vogel, Budenholzer, Udoka) pic.x.com/8P2XtkZ5y4 – 12:55 PM
The Brooklyn Nets were going to hire Ime Udoka after firing Steve Nash, but that got stopped… so KD reunites with Udoka in Houston
Udoka will be Durant’s 8th head coach in 8 seasons (Kerr, Atkinson, Vaughn, Nash, Williams, Vogel, Budenholzer, Udoka) pic.x.com/8P2XtkZ5y4 – 12:55 PM
More on this storyline
Durant repeatedly complained both publicly and privately about Kerr’s offensive principles during his final season with the Warriors, and he continued to do so even after he left for Brooklyn. The two have since reconciled, but league sources identify Kerr as among the reasons Durant opted not to return to Golden State at the trade deadline. In Gotham, Durant had similar critiques of Nash’s concepts, and the coach was later fired during Durant’s last season. And this past season, cameras routinely caught him in verbal spars with Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, urging him to simplify the offense, yelling at him during possession changes, or pouting in the corner in protest as the offense flowed without him. -via The Ringer / June 24, 2025
Two factors proved decisive in the Rockets’ change of direction. First was Udoka’s strong advocacy for the move. Second was the surprisingly reasonable asking price. “Another thing was they also couldn’t say no to the price. The price was just so low they just couldn’t say no. It’s meant to say look what they still have on their roster. So they now have optionality. They can say ‘let’s keep letting Amen Thompson develop. Let’s keep letting Jabari Smith. By the way, they love Tari Eason there. He can be the guy that replaces Dillon Brooks as that key defender. -via RealGM / June 24, 2025