The Suns turned to the White Demon and asked for 2 first rounds: The Rockets refused Ethan and Ja Shepard, and the negotiations were deadlocked

On June 21, NBA reporter Brett Siegel reported that the Rockets used Jaylen Green + 2025 No. 10 to double-team Durant, but the Suns refused such a offer, hoping that the Rockets would include young players such as Jabbarry Smith Jr., Tari Ethan, Reed Shepard, and the Rockets refused to give up any of these three, and the negotiations between the two sides were deadlocked.

Then Forbes Sports reporter Evan Steeley revealed that the Suns are unlikely to accept the Rockets' offer unless they include more trading assets in this transaction, such as Xiao Jia. If the Suns are not satisfied with the KD's offer, the transaction will not go rashly. They are ready to extend the trading time until after the 2025 draft.

Evan Steeley also revealed that the Suns have turned to Cam Whitmore because the Rockets refused to send Ethan, Jay, Shepard and others. The Suns also valued this young wing. Once the transaction is successful, Whitmore will play a big role in Phoenix.

ESPN reporter Brian Vinhorst said on the podcast: In the Rockets/Suns' potential deal about Kevin Durant, the Suns hope to get their first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 (no 2025 No. 10 picks are required), but Houston knows that Phoenix has the initiative in this regard, so the Rockets management will not make concessions in the deal.

In other words, the Rockets' current offer to Durant is Jaylen Green + 2025 No. 10, at most, some bonuses to pay for the balance. Stone, a young asset in the Rockets, is unwilling to give it away, which is also the key to the deadlock in the negotiations.

Text/Yan Xiaobai: Rocket Observation