After the trade of Durant for eight players, the scale of the transaction may expand, and the Rockets have the capacity to complete another significant trade.

On June 24, Beijing time, the well-known American media outlet HoopsHype reported further developments regarding the Durant trade. It is understood that since the deal won't officially take effect until July 6 (local time), the Suns still have the possibility to enlarge the scope of Durant's trade. What are the next plans for the Rockets and the Suns after finalizing the Durant trade?

What will the Rockets' next steps be after acquiring Durant?

After spending one of the most outstanding freshman seasons in college basketball history at the University of Texas, Kevin Durant returns to the state as a member of the Houston Rockets 18 years later—this was one of his preferred trade destinations.

According to initial reports from ESPN, Durant has been traded to the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks.

HoopsHype has learned that since the deal won't officially take effect until July 6 (local time), the Suns still have the possibility to enlarge the scope of Durant's trade.

Durant reunites with Rockets coach Ime Udoka, with whom he previously collaborated at the Brooklyn Nets. League sources told HoopsHype that when Udoka was the head coach of the Celtics, he supported the team's attempt to acquire Durant with a package centered around Jalen Brown. Now, while finalizing his contract extension with the Rockets, Udoka encourages the team to trade for Durant. This time, he got his wish.

Durant will reunite with former teammate and assistant coach Royal Ivey. Ivey declined offers for assistant coaching positions with the Grizzlies and Spurs, choosing to stay with the Rockets to work alongside Udoka. Ivey had also interviewed for the head coaching position with the Suns. Within the league, Ivey's decision to remain in Houston is seen as a potential signal for Durant's ultimate joining of the Rockets。

The Rockets still have several roster decisions to finalize, including team options for Fred VanVleet ($44.89 million) and Aaron Holiday ($4.9 million), as well as a non-guaranteed contract for Landale worth $8 million for the 2025-26 season. Reports suggest that the Rockets are inclined to decline VanVleet’s team option and then sign him to a new long-term contract.

Additionally, the Rockets still have the capability to complete another significant trade—they did not offer the Suns their 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks during the Durant trade negotiations, and only sent away Green from their young core, thus retaining operational flexibility.

What will the Suns' next steps be after trading Durant?

The Suns pushed to complete the Durant trade before the NBA draft, acquiring the highest draft pick they could get—the 10th pick—while also obtaining former number one overall pick Jalen Green, defensive specialist Dillon Brooks, and five second-round picks.

When Green initially signed a three-year, $105.33 million contract with the Rockets, executives from rival NBA teams believed that this contract could potentially become a trade asset.As of the 2026-27 season, Green's guaranteed salary amounts to $69.33 million, with a player option of $36 million for the 2027-28 season.

Although Green has demonstrated a consistent scoring ability of 20 points per game over his first four seasons, this 23-year-old guard still has room for further development.

As previously reported by HoopsHype, the Suns conducted background checks on Green before acquiring him to assess his value in the league and to determine whether it would be worthwhile to trade him again。

According to Suns reporter Gambadoro, the team intends to retain Green. Dillon is viewed as a "culture shaper" and a 3D wing player, with his contract totaling $43.12 million through the 2026-27 season. His tough playing style and defensive traits are exactly what the new general manager, Gregory, is seeking.

The Suns are actively seeking upgrades for their starting center position in Durant trade negotiations, including attempts to acquire Gobert, Pirtle, and Wembanyama, and may continue to seek reinforcements for that position in the future.

League sources told HoopsHype that Suns center Richards' non-guaranteed contract worth $5 million for the 2025-26 season is expected to be converted to a guaranteed one. Last season, Richards played 36 games for the Suns, starting in 34 of them, averaging 9.5 points (shooting 60.5%) and 8.6 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game.

Please notethe Suns may waive Wiggins and Cody Martin to drop below the second luxury tax line。

League sources indicate that unless the trade requires including Miskic's contract, the Suns are expected to decline his $8.11 million team option. This two-time EuroLeague champion and former EuroLeague MVP is anticipated to receive lucrative offers overseas.

Martin's salary of $8.68 million for the 2025-26 season is non-guaranteed, putting him in a similar situation to Miskic. Unless his salary is included in a trade, he may be waived.

League sources also stated that the Suns have tested the trade market for wing players Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen.

O'Neale played 75 games for the Suns last season, averaging 9.1 points with a three-point shooting percentage of 40.6%, with a total contract value of $32.63 million over the next three seasons.

Allen played 64 games, averaging 10.6 points with a three-point shooting percentage of 42.6%, with a salary of $35 million over the next two seasons, including a player option of $19.38 million for the 2027-28 season.