Had Kevin Durant not been traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets in the 2025 offseason, the ripple effects across the NBA landscape would have been significant, reshaping team dynamics and playoff projections. Durant’s presence in Phoenix would have solidified the Suns as immediate title contenders, altering the trajectories of both the Suns and Rockets, as well as other teams involved in related trades.
Durant’s trade to Houston brought Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a top-10 draft pick, and multiple second-round picks to Phoenix, assets aimed at rebuilding and future flexibility. Without this trade, the Suns would have retained their MVP-caliber scorer and veteran leadership, likely maintaining a more veteran-heavy roster focused on winning now rather than retooling. This would have reduced Phoenix’s draft capital and limited their ability to add young talent like Mark Williams, who was acquired in a separate deal. The Suns’ championship window would have remained wide open, potentially challenging the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks more fiercely in the Western Conference.
For Houston, missing out on Durant would have meant continuing their rebuild without a marquee star to accelerate their rise. Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, while promising, do not carry the same immediate impact as Durant. The Rockets would likely have remained a developing team, focusing on growth and draft assets rather than contending. This would have also affected the draft landscape, as the No. 10 pick and multiple second-rounders sent to Phoenix would have stayed with Houston, potentially changing who was selected and how those players contributed in their rookie seasons.
Other teams indirectly impacted by this trade, such as the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic, who swapped Desmond Bane for players and picks, might have adjusted their strategies knowing the Suns were not aggressively retooling. The Suns’ decision to keep Durant could have discouraged some trades or free agent moves around the league, as contenders recalibrated their expectations against a still-potent Phoenix squad.
Overall, Durant’s continued tenure in Phoenix would have preserved a more veteran, star-laden Suns team, likely increasing competition in the West and delaying the Rockets’ rebuild. This alternate timeline underscores how a single high-profile trade can cascade through the league, influencing draft picks, player development, and playoff landscapes for multiple franchises.