The Phoenix Suns finalized their historic seven-team deal that sent superstar forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. A day later, Suns general manager Brian Gregory provided insight into his thought process while seeking to find a new home for the 15-time All-Star.
Phoenix’s unprecedented blockbuster trade netted guard Jalen Green, veteran wing Dillon Brooks, three picks from this year’s draft, two future second-rounders, and salary filler. Incoming rookies include No. 10 pick Khaman Maluach, No. 31 pick Rasheer Fleming, and No. 41 pick Koby Brea, fortifying the Suns’ depth following a nightmarish 36-win season.
Brian Gregory Breaks Down Phoenix’s Motive Behind Kevin Durant Trade
On Monday, Gregory outlined the Suns’ team-building approach to the Durant deal. The front office executive noted that despite moving on from its leading scorer (26.6 points per game), he feels his squad made strides by rounding out its roster.
“Our biggest thing, No. 1 goal, was to find a way to bring in the valuable pieces that would help us continue to move forward in the right direction,” Gregory said. “That was our No. 1 goal in the whole thing.
“And with the trade came the draft picks, and also brought in one of the rising stars in the NBA in Jalen. And with Dillon, just a winner, brings the toughness and the grit, defensive intensity, had the best offensive year of his career last year. So, the team got together at the end and felt pretty good about what transpired.”
Brian Gregory on the Suns trading Kevin Durant and the return: “Our biggest thing was to find a way to bring in the valuable pieces that would help us continue to move forward in the right direction…So the team got together at the end and felt pretty good about what transpired” pic.twitter.com/pautZBhnzK
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) July 8, 2025
Green, an offense-first guard, is coming off a strong fourth season in which he was the top scorer (21.0 points per game) for a 52-win Rockets team that finished second in the Western Conference. While the 2021 No. 2 pick regressed in the playoffs, he’s still only 23 years old and is highly durable, playing in all 82 games in back-to-back campaigns.
As for Brooks, he has proven to be one of the NBA’s peskiest two-way wings over his eight-year career with Houston and Memphis, regularly getting under his opponents’ skin.
Of Phoenix’s incoming draft selections, Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center, is expected to make the biggest impact, as arguably the 2025 rookie class’s top rim protector. Meanwhile, Fleming and Brea should bring two-way versatility and floor spacing off the bench, respectively.
The Suns may not be done retooling, though. They are reportedly negotiating a buyout with three-time All-Star Bradley Beal, who is coming off an underwhelming two-year stint in the Valley.
Regardless, the Durant trade and Phoenix’s draft-night deal for big man Mark Williams have given the Devin Booker-led franchise a much-needed injection of size and youth.
