Overview

• Durant said he learned from a third party that Phoenix had let teams know he was available around February, which initially upset him.
• He noted Golden State explored a deadline deal, but agent Rich Kleiman relayed that Durant did not want a midseason trade.
• Durant said he quickly moved on and expected to revisit options in the summer, after which Houston moved decisively.
• Phoenix traded him to the Rockets in a multi-team summer deal for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick, used on Khaman Maluach.
• Rockets GM Rafael Stone called the acquisition process very long and draining, as Houston is now widely viewed as a contender with Durant.