Phoenix Suns GM Has Kevin Durant Message After Official Trade to Rockets

The Phoenix Suns have undergone massive changes this offseason following a disappointing season. They finished as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. As a result, owner Mat Ishbia began making changes quickly.

They wasted no time, as the Suns announced the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season, despite having signed him to a five-year $50 million deal. They will still have to pay out the remaining $40 million on his deal in addition to their new head coach, Jordan Ott.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. fight for rebounding position at Footprint Center on March 30, 2025.

Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns GM has Kevin Durant message after official trade to Rockets

That proved to be just the first of many significant moves, as Ishbia installed Brian Gregory as the new general manager and moved James Jones out of that position and into an advisory position. Gregory went right to work.

One of the more crucial moves Gregory made was the decision to execute a trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets as part of a now-historic seven-team deal that landed the Suns Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 selection in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks.

Following the completion of the trade, Gregory issued a statement on Durant.

"One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community," said Gregory. "As a member of the Suns, he climbed the scoring charts to become just the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points, and we wish him the best as he continues his career in Houston.”

While it'll be months until all of the respective players are on the floor together, the trade on paper works well for both sides. The Suns look as though they'll continue to compete for a spot in the playoffs, especially after they traded the No. 29 pick to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.

The Rockets hope that the trade for Durant is what puts them over the top and helps them win an NBA Championship. If the Suns can compete and even get more out of Green than what we saw from him in the playoffs, the Suns could be flirting with the NBA Playoffs come next season.