ON THE MOVE?
How Houston faces crossroads as trade talks intensify between Rockets and Suns
Jun 17, 2025, 12:56 pm
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!
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.