Rockets predicted to cut ties with Kevin Durant, acquire $125 million Nuggets NBA champion guard

“For the Rockets, it'll be tough to get many teams to surrender real draft assets for a soon-to-be-38-year-old who's struggled to fit in on four different teams now, but the Nuggets may be desperate enough to do just that,” Bailey wrote Saturday.

“And by the time that pick swap conveys, Durant will likely be retired, and Jokic will be 36. That could turn into a great asset. This deal also gives Houston two solid, multipositional wings who would fit well with the other forwards in the Rockets' core. (Cameron) Johnson obviously doesn't provide the scoring volume Durant does, but he shot 43.0 percent from deep this season.”

“And while Christian Braun's five-year, $125 million contract looks pretty onerous after his down year, he's still just 25 years old and was one of the league's most dangerous transition weapons in 2024-25.”

For clarity, Bailey’s trade proposal would send Durant to the Nuggets for Braun, Johnson, and a 2031 first-round pick swap. Injuries and subpar perimeter shooting caused him to step back with Denver this season.

Braun averaged 12.0 points per game on 51.9% field goal shooting and 30.1% three-point shooting in 44 regular-season contests. That said, the Kansas product is a valuable, explosive wing who’s already won a championship, which would allow the Rockets to remain competitive without Durant in the fold.

It remains to be seen if Houston will explore Andy’s blockbuster trade concept this summer.

More NBA news:

• Warriors urged to reunite with $54 million NBA champion forward who was replaced by Kevin Durant
• Nuggets trade idea swaps Aaron Gordon for $186 million ex-Lakers superstar, NBA champion
• Warriors predicted to cut ties with Draymond Green, acquire $133 million Nuggets NBA champion