This blockbuster NBA trade idea sends Kevin Durant from the Houston Rockets to the Charlotte Hornets.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending Kevin Durant from the Houston Rockets to the Charlotte Hornets has been created.
Adam Martin of Lindy’s Sports created the following trade idea between the Hornets and Rockets:
Hornets get: Kevin Durant
Rockets get: Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, two draft picks
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Durant would make the Hornets a championship contender. The future Hall of Famer is still an elite scorer despite being 37. KD averaged 26.0 points per game last season while shooting 52.0% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee could start Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Durant and Moussa Diabate next season if Charlotte's front office traded for Durant. That's a dangerous starting five on paper.
A two-time Finals MVP, Durant will make $43,902,439 next season. He has a player option worth $46,097,561 for the 2027-28 season. The 16-time All-Star doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Durant has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns and Rockets. He holds career averages of 27.1 points per game in the regular season and 29.3 points per game in the playoffs.
Charlotte already made two big trades this summer, sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns. It will be fascinating to see if the Hornets make one more massive trade.
Some Charlotte fans weren't happy with the Ball trade, but Hornets president of basketball operations and general manager Jeff Peterson told Marc J. Spears of Andscape he was comfortable trading Ball because of Miller and Knueppel.
"I’m very comfortable," Peterson said. "Charles and I had a conversation with both of them knowing that these trades can be challenging. Sometimes I do think we forget that we’re human beings dealing with this stuff — lives and its emotions. Those guys are friends and they are in the locker room every day. At the same time, Charles and I kind of explained, We believe in you guys, too. You guys are here. We want to continue to see you guys grow. This is going to challenge you guys. You guys got to continue to get better.' We wouldn’t have made that trade if we didn’t feel comfortable with what they can continue to be developing into."
Charlotte opens the 2026-27 season on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. The home opener is against the Atlanta Hawks.
