Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“We Told Them to Hold Off” – Kevin Durant on Blocking Warriors Reunion Ahead of Houston Rockets Move

Durant discusses Golden State links before Rockets trade

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Drama between the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant came to a head after repeated failed attempts to return to championship contention. The franchise had not reached the NBA Finals since 2021, and the partnership ended with Durant’s blockbuster move to the Houston Rockets.

The trade, described as record-breaking, closed the chapter on Durant’s time in Phoenix. Months later, more details have surfaced about how the deal unfolded, including a surprising link to one of his former teams.

While speaking at the Game Plan Sports Business Summit, Kevin Durant reflected on the Suns fallout and revealed that the Golden State Warriors were briefly in the mix at the trade deadline.

Kevin Durant Discusses Golden State Links Before Rockets Trade

“I heard Golden State was in the mix around the trade deadline, but that’s when Rich came into play, and those relationships that we built around the league and also playing in Golden State helped. We were able to tell them to kind of hold off on that,” Durant said.

After the relationship with Phoenix deteriorated, Houston Rockets entered the picture and secured the superstar forward. He now joins a Rockets roster featuring Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and others.

Durant’s history with the Warriors remains significant. From 2016 to 2019, he helped Golden State to three NBA Finals appearances, winning two championships and collecting two Finals MVP awards. Since then, however, he has not returned to the championship stage during his runs with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

The Houston Rockets’ move carries some risk. Kevin Durant is entering the final year of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Still, signs point toward an extended stay. William Guillory of The Athletic reported on September 10 that Kevin Durant and the Rockets are expected to agree on a contract extension. Houston’s front office is prioritizing Tari Eason’s rookie extension first, before finalizing terms with the 2014 league MVP.