The Rockets insist on not putting Shepard & Jia & Ethan into the KD trade, leaving behind the two first rounds of the Suns

From ESPN famous reporter Shams Charania, multiple sources revealed that superstar Durant was sent to the Rockets, and the Suns received Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 picks for the first round this year and 5 second picks (the No. 59 pick for the Rockets in 2025, the two second picks for the Rockets in 2026, the second pick for the Celtics in 2030 and the second pick for the Rockets in 2032).

According to the joint report of The Athletic, Sam Amick, and Rockets reporter Kelly Iko, several sources on the Rockets revealed that during the negotiations led by team general manager Raphael Stone, the Rockets had several weeks of trading discussions, and the Rockets held firm on the issue of refusing to put young players such as Reed Shepard, Jabbarry Smith Jr. and Ethan into Durant's trade.

In addition, the Rockets also refused to return the first round picks for 2027 and 2029 (from the Suns), no matter how eager the Suns are to regain these precious draft picks.