How Houston faces crossroads as trade talks intensify between Rockets and Suns
ON THE MOVE?
17 June
Would Kevin Durant put the Rockets over the top? Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
In this episode, we explore the growing buzz surrounding the Houston Rockets and their rumored interest in trading for Kevin Durant. With speculation heating up, the big question looms: would the Rockets actually part ways with Jalen Green to make a win-now push with KD?
The conversation takes a hard look at what’s on the table. Could Fred VanVleet be part of a potential deal? Is a two-year window with Durant worth sacrificing key pieces of Houston’s young core? And if Jalen Green hasn’t yet proven he can lead a team deep into the playoffs, is now the time to pivot toward a veteran-led title run?
We also examine whether either the Rockets or the Miami Heat are truly willing to meet Phoenix’s demands, and what role Isaiah Thomas might be playing behind the scenes in the Suns’ front office — is he helping or complicating things? Reports also suggest Steven Adams may not be on board with the trade as it’s currently constructed, adding another layer of intrigue.
From questions about the Suns’ expectations to salary matching challenges in a potential blockbuster, we break down every angle of this high-stakes rumor mill.
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein weigh in!
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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