Rockets unwilling to trade Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson for Kevin Durant

The Los Angeles Clippers have also lurked with interest in Durant. The Suns have done background work on Clippers guard Norman Powell and gauged his value across the league in case Phoenix and Los Angeles ever agreed on a Durant trade, league sources told HoopsHype. Phoenix would assuredly try to pry Clippers 28-year-old starting center Ivica Zubac, who averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds, in any talks for Durant, league sources told HoopsHype. The Clippers, however, highly value Zubac and would be reluctant to part with him. -via HoopsHype / June 16, 2025

In a potential trade with the Suns for Durant, Houston could include guard Jalen Green and his $33.33 million salary for the 2025-26 season. With guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already on the roster, having failed to trade Beal as the Suns attempted to before the trade deadline, Phoenix has done background on Green to gauge his value around the league in case Green is acquired, and it’s worthwhile to flip him again via trade, league sources told HoopsHype. -via HoopsHype / June 16, 2025

Regarding the Miami Heat’s interest in Kevin Durant, the franchise was interested in acquiring him before the deadline and remains interested in reuniting him with fellow Olympians Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra. The Suns have done background work on Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, league sources told HoopsHype. Wiggins is owed $28.22 million this upcoming season and would likely be a part of any Heat trade package for Durant. A key factor in Miami’s chances of landing Durant could hinge on whether the franchise is willing to part with talented 21-year-old big man Kel’el Ware, who’s of interest to Phoenix. -via HoopsHype / June 16, 2025

Houston has optionality, this trade can be structured in many different ways. Houston would be open to trading Alperen Sengun, league sources told NBC Sports, but the Bucks may be higher on a Jalen Green-based trade (depending on how they rate Green). Jabari Smith Jr. is likely part of any deal, and the Rockets have a lot of future first-round picks — their own and others, such as Brooklyn and Phoenix picks — that could be part of the trade. It likely takes a third team to make the math work, but it’s very doable. -via NBC Sports / May 17, 2025

“Got a lot of respect for him,” said Green of Sengun. “You know, I’ve played against a lot of guys. I always tell people that in playoff series one of two things happen: Either you completely lose respect for someone or you gain a lot of respect for someone … You get to see who is really real. So Sengun is real. He ain’t back down at all. “[But] what I would say to Sengun — flop a little less. Embellish a little less,” Green continued. “Because with a defender like me. Imma feed off that. He real, he physical, he ain’t backing down … A lot of respect for him.” -via Larry Brown Sports / May 7, 2025

Danielle Lerner: Rafael Stone: “We are not a team built around any one player offensively, whether it’s Jalen, Alperen or Amen.” -via Bluesky / May 6, 2025

Daniel Blake: CONFIRMED: Amen & Ausar Thompson say Jamaica is a legitimate option for their international future. -via Twitter / May 25, 2025

Daniel Blake: BREAKING: @Houston Rockets All-Defensive First Team star Amen Thompson & Ausar Thompson of the @Detroit Pistons are open to represent 🇯🇲 in future FIBA competitions & possibly the Olympics. The twin brothers, whose father is Jamaican, have begun the citizenship process. -via Twitter / May 25, 2025

Shams Charania: 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive teams: First team: Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort, Amen Thompson Second team: Toumani Camara, Rudy Gobert, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Ivica Zubac -via x.com / May 22, 2025