Kevin Durant’s name is already back in the trade conversation, but one NBA executive thinks the price tag has slipped to a level that would make any deal feel modest.
According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, that executive believes the Houston Rockets could probably fetch only a first-round pick if they decided to move the 37-year-old forward. Not much more than that.
“They could get a first-round pick for him, probably. Not a lot more, though, not like what Phoenix got. He’s not just a guy who gives you 26 points, all the other stuff makes it more complicated with him.”
Durant just finished a strong season, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 78 games while earning All-NBA Second Team honors. He also finished in the top five in total points last season. Even so, some around the league no longer view him as the kind of high-value asset he once was.
That skepticism is part of why the Rockets are sitting in a tricky spot. Durant has a player option for the 2027-2028 season, which means Houston could eventually lose him in free agency without getting anything back. At the same time, there are no recent reports indicating the front office is actively looking to trade him.
The Rockets brought Durant in during 2025, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and multiple second-round picks to the Suns. Any return that now falls short of that kind of package would be a tough sell, especially with Durant still producing at an elite level.
Houston’s projected starting group for next season also makes the situation more complicated. Alongside Durant, the lineup is expected to include Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr. If Durant were moved, the Rockets would be left with a major hole at small forward, and there are only so many trade options that fit the rest of the roster, given the strength of the backcourt and center positions.
There’s also the bigger-picture question of fit and upside. Teams with championship ambitions, including the Los Angeles Lakers, would surely love to add another forward of Durant’s caliber.
But Houston’s first-round exit in the playoffs last season, with Durant sidelined for most of the series, did little to settle the debate around his value. His availability otherwise was strong, so injuries do not appear to be the main issue in how teams might evaluate him.
For now, the Rockets seem to have more to lose than gain by moving on after one season. Unless another front office is willing to put together a strong enough offer, there may not be much reason to break up the Durant experiment yet.
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