Rockets prospects Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard were reportedly off-limits to Phoenix in trade discussions for Kevin Durant.
The Rockets were willing to trade leading scorer Jalen Green in the blockbuster deal for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, but the same couldn’t be said for several other members of Houston’s young core.
“Over multiple weeks of discussions with Phoenix, with Rockets general manager Rafael Stone leading the talks, Houston maintained a firm stance in its refusal to include young players such as Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason,” The Athletic’s Kelly Iko and Sam Amick reported Sunday.
Smith now appears in line to regain a spot in Houston’s starting lineup. Between Smith, Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, the Rockets will surround point guard Fred VanVleet with four players who all have considerable length and athleticism, along with two-way contributions.
Meanwhile, in his second season out of Kentucky, the Rockets are reportedly planning to expand Sheppard’s bench role. Some reports previously indicated that Houston viewed Sheppard as perhaps its best offensive talent, though that almost certainly changes with Durant now in the fold.
Eason, Sheppard, and recently re-signed center Steven Adams are among the players that are likely to consistently play off Houston’s bench. With veteran Dillon Brooks included in the Durant deal for salary reasons, Eason’s wing defense could become even more important in the 2025-26 season.