Another Sunday in the NBA brought another seismic shift, this time sending superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Just days before the highly anticipated NBA Draft, the league landscape is buzzing with intel on what comes next for the Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors in the wake of the trade. Additionally, updates are emerging on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers following the NBA Finals, trade talks involving the Sacramento Kings, Guerschon Yabusele’s upcoming free agency, and an exclusive interview with Raptors free agent Chris Boucher.
Here’s the latest NBA intel from around the league:
What’s Next for the Rockets After Acquiring Kevin Durant?
In a stunning move, Kevin Durant is returning to the state where he had one of college basketball’s best freshman seasons 18 years ago. Houston, reportedly one of his preferred destinations, acquired KD from the Phoenix Suns.
The trade package sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks to Phoenix. While ESPN first reported the deal, HoopsHype has learned the possibility of expanding the trade remains open until it becomes official on July 6th.
Durant will reunite with Rockets coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Royal Ivey. Udoka, who coached Durant on the Brooklyn Nets and previously favored acquiring him while with the Boston Celtics, reportedly encouraged Houston’s pursuit of the trade while finalizing his own contract extension. Ivey, a former teammate and assistant, turned down interest from the Grizzlies and Spurs to remain in Houston – a decision seen within league circles as a potential sign pointing towards Durant landing with the Rockets.
Houston still has key roster decisions ahead, including team options on Fred VanVleet ($44.89 million) and Aaron Holiday ($4.9 million), plus Jock Landale’s non-guaranteed $8 million salary for the 2025-26 season. The Rockets maintained control of the Suns’ valuable 2027 and 2029 top selections by not including them in the Durant talks, preserving assets for future blockbuster moves if desired.
What’s Next for the Suns After Trading Kevin Durant?
The Phoenix Suns secured valuable assets in the Durant trade, prioritizing getting a deal done before the draft. They landed the highest possible pick available in the trade, the No. 10 overall selection, along with former No. 2 pick Jalen Green, defensive wing Dillon Brooks, and five second-round picks.
Jalen Green, 23, has shown consistent scoring ability (20+ points per game) over his first four seasons and still offers significant development upside. While Phoenix did background research on Green to gauge his value for a potential flip, prominent Suns reporter John Gambadoro reported on Sunday that the team intends to keep him. Green is owed $69.33 million guaranteed through 2026-27 with a $36 million player option for 2027-28.
Dillon Brooks ($43.12 million through 2026-27) is seen as a valuable “culture builder” and a 3-and-D swingman, with his toughness and defensive intangibles being traits new general manager Brian Gregory reportedly sought.
The Suns aggressively targeted starting center upgrades during Durant talks, pursuing players like Rudy Gobert, Jakob Poeltl, and Kel’el Ware. They may continue this search, though league sources expect them to guarantee the $5 million salary of Nick Richards for 2025-26 after he started 34 games last season, averaging 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds on 60.5% shooting.
To duck below the second luxury tax apron, Phoenix is expected to decline Vasilije Micic’s $8.11 million team option, unless a trade necessitates including his salary. Micic, a two-time EuroLeague champion, is anticipated to receive lucrative offers overseas. Similarly, Cody Martin, whose $8.68 million salary for 2025-26 is non-guaranteed, is a waiver candidate unless included in a trade.
Phoenix has also explored the trade market for swingmen Royce O’Neale ($32.63 million over three years) and Grayson Allen ($35 million over two years + $19.38 million player option for 2027-28).
Why Miami Missed on Kevin Durant and What’s Next
The Miami Heat’s pursuit of Kevin Durant fell short partly because they reportedly withheld promising big man Kel’el Ware from trade discussions. Miami also held a lower draft pick (No. 20) compared to Houston’s No. 10 selection.
With Durant off the board, restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors is a potential sign-and-trade target for Miami to monitor. HoopsHype first reported Miami’s interest in Kuminga on June 16th, viewing him as a potential fallback option behind bigger stars.
Additionally, Heat guard Davion Mitchell is expected to draw interest from various teams in free agency after a strong stretch where he averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals on impressive shooting percentages.
Why Acquiring Kevin Durant Gave the Timberwolves Pause
The Minnesota Timberwolves were aggressive suitors for Kevin Durant before the trade deadline, but several factors led to hesitation this time around. A key concern was Minnesota not being on Durant’s reported preferred list of destinations. Furthermore, the Suns’ desire for Rudy Gobert in trade talks presented a challenge, as pairing Gobert and Julius Randle in the frontcourt with Durant wasn’t seen as defensively ideal.
The Timberwolves’ priority remains re-signing Naz Reid in free agency. Depending on the outcome and cost of retaining Randle and Reid, re-signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker could prove challenging, as he is expected to command a salary around the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Where Do the Raptors Go After Flirting with Durant?
The Toronto Raptors reportedly withheld Jakob Poeltl from Kevin Durant trade talks. There’s a strong expectation within league circles that the Raptors will look to extend Poeltl, who is seen as a stabilizing force, coachable, effective without needing the ball, and a positive locker room presence after averaging career-highs (14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds).
Toronto is also reportedly gauging the trade market for RJ Barrett. With Brandon Ingram’s arrival at the trade deadline signaling a “win-now” approach despite holding a lottery pick (No. 9 overall), questions have arisen about Barrett’s fit alongside ball-dominant players like Ingram and Scottie Barnes. Barrett, owed $57.32 million over the next two seasons, averaged career-highs of 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Raptors forward Chris Boucher is entering unrestricted free agency and recently sat down for an exclusive interview with HoopsHype.
What’s Next for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Fresh off their first championship in the Oklahoma City era, the prevailing sentiment is that young stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are in line for massive rookie-scale extensions. League insiders wonder if they’ll command full max deals or take a slight discount for long-term financial flexibility. NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lauded Jalen Williams’ crucial role in their title run. Holmgren set an NBA Finals Game 7 record with five blocks. Gilgeous-Alexander himself is expected to land a supermax contract, potentially becoming the first player to earn $80 million or more in a single season.
More immediate concerns involve a roster crunch. With the No. 15 and 24 picks in the draft, the Thunder would have 17 players, two more than the maximum. Rival executives believe Oklahoma City could trade the No. 24 pick for a future first-rounder or select a foreign draft-and-stash player like Hugo Gonzalez or Noah Penda. Ousmane Dieng is also viewed as a potential trade candidate if OKC adds their first-rounders to the active roster.
What’s Next for the Indiana Pacers?
The Indiana Pacers faced a devastating moment in Game 7 of the NBA Finals when star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a non-contact right lower leg injury just minutes into the game. Fears of an Achilles injury, confirmed by his father, suggest Haliburton could miss significant time.
Earlier, Indiana traded their No. 23 draft pick and Mojave King to New Orleans for their own 2026 first-round pick back, a move seen as clearing salary space to re-sign Myles Turner, ranked as the top free-agent center. The return of the 2026 pick is fortunate given Haliburton’s potential prolonged absence. The major question now is whether owner Herb Simon will still enter the luxury tax to retain Turner with the franchise star sidelined.
Rival teams have reportedly circled players like Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker regarding their trade availability, a pattern expected to continue this offseason. Mathurin, who recently turned 23 and is eligible for a rookie-scale extension, had a strong Game 7 performance before Haliburton’s injury.
Sacramento Kings: Trade Talks Around Monk, Carter, and More
Under new general manager Scott Perry, who replaced Monte McNair, the Sacramento Kings have been active in trade discussions. The Kings are reportedly seeking to acquire a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In line with this goal, Sacramento has been gauging the trade market for guards Malik Monk and Devin Carter.
Monk, 27, is owed $38.99 million over the next two seasons and has a $21.58 million player option for 2027-28. He had a career-best season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 31.6 minutes. Carter, the No. 13 pick in 2024, battled injuries but was notably held out of trade talks for Cam Johnson under the previous regime. Perry’s exploration signals a new assessment of the roster.
Perry previously traded De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs and has been seeking a veteran point guard replacement. Rival executives are also monitoring Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, believing the Kings may explore trading at least one of them this offseason or before the trade deadline.
Guerschon Yabusele Free Agency Update
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele made a successful return to the NBA last season, averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds on solid shooting (50.1% FG, 38% 3P). Now an unrestricted free agent, Yabusele is poised for a notable payday. The San Antonio Spurs, where he won an Olympic silver medal alongside Victor Wembanyama on the French national team, are among the teams expected to show interest. The 76ers also retain interest in re-signing the forward.
Chris Boucher Discusses Free Agency, Raptors Future, and Unique Journey
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher, who has spent most of his NBA career with the franchise including their 2019 championship run, is entering unrestricted free agency. In an exclusive interview with HoopsHype, Boucher reflected on his unlikely path to the NBA and his future.
Late Bloomer: Boucher didn’t start playing organized basketball until age 20, picking it up in Montreal parks because it was free, unlike soccer or street hockey. He sees this late start as beneficial, stating his body feels younger than other 32-year-old players due to less wear-and-tear over the years. He feels he is still improving his game and understanding the pace.
Growth and Consistency: Despite limited minutes at times, Boucher believes this past season was one of his best, highlighting improved shooting, decision-making, and defense. He focused on being efficient and a spark off the bench, consistently performing well in his role.
Gratitude for Toronto: He expressed immense gratitude for the Raptors organization believing in him early on when others were unsure. He credits them with putting him in positions to improve and helping him grow as a player and a person.
Desire for Winning: Looking ahead to free agency, Boucher’s primary goal is to play for a winning team and return to the playoffs. He feels he can fill multiple roles effectively.
Fit with Barnes & Ingram: He believes he can fit well with the Raptors’ core, including Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, citing his long tenure with the playbook and four years playing with Barnes. However, he acknowledges the team’s direction is up to them and feels he can adjust his game wherever he goes. At his age, he can’t afford not to be on a playoff-contending team with a consistent, meaningful role.
Impact and Versatility: Boucher sees himself as a versatile player who can impact any team, whether starting or coming off the bench. He compares his potential impact to successful bench players like Obi Toppin or Alex Caruso, emphasizing his ability to bring energy, rebound, score without plays being called for him, and defend multiple positions. He considers himself a “low-management guy” who just wants to play.
- Off-Court Personality: Beyond the court, Boucher describes himself as funny, caring, family-oriented, and dedicated to helping others from similar backgrounds. He plays with heart and has shown resilience after being doubted often. He believes his consistent improvement and higher per-36-minute numbers demonstrate he can do more with increased usage.
- hoopshype.com
- sactownsports.com
- sports.yahoo.com
- hoopshype.com
- bleacherreport.com
