NBA trade rumors: Houston Rockets potentially targeting $197 million Cleveland Cavaliers star to form lethal backcourt duo with Kevin Durant | NBA News
The Houston Rockets keep coming up in trade talks as teams around the league look ahead to the next big move. The latest name tied to them is Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland, with the idea of lining him up next to Kevin Durant in Houston.Garland isn’t a new part of the Durant conversation. Before Durant landed with the Rockets, Cleveland had already looked at deals that would have sent Garland out as part of a larger package. Now that Houston is trying to take a real step forward, people around the league think the Rockets could circle back to that option, especially as they look for a steady, true point guard to run the offense.
Why Houston Rockets Is Looking at Darius Garland
Kevin Durant remains one of the league’s most dependable scorers, but many of the teams he’s played on have struggled to give him steady playmaking support. Darius Garland would address that right away. He’s comfortable running an offense, can set up teammates, and still get his own points without needing the ball in his hands every possession.
Kevin Durant met his friend after 17 years (Image via Getty Images)
At 25, Garland also fits better with Houston’s timeline than some of the guards currently on the roster. A Garland–Durant pairing would give the Rockets a steady ball handler who can keep defenses honest while Durant focuses on scoring.
How a Trade Could Be Structured
One suggested structure would send Garland to Houston along with matching contracts like De’Andre Hunter and a future first-round pick from Cleveland. Going the other way, the Cavaliers would receive Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.For Cleveland, the deal eases second-apron pressure while bringing in rotation players and a valuable draft asset. For Houston, it adds a proven point guard to the mix without tearing the roster apart.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Reasoning
Cleveland’s playoff loss to the Pacers, despite finishing first in the East, raised questions about the backcourt fit alongside Donovan Mitchell. Moving Garland allows the Cavaliers to rebalance the roster around Mitchell and Evan Mobley.Green offers scoring upside, Brooks adds perimeter defense, and the draft pick gives Cleveland flexibility moving forward.
Key Numbers From Last Season
| Player | PPG | APG | TS% | USG% (2024-25) |
| Darius Garland | 20.6 | 6.7 | 58.2 | 27.1 |
| Kevin Durant | 26.8 | 5.0 | 63.1 | 29.5 |
| Jalen Green | 21.0 | 3.4 | 56.4 | 28.3 |
Weighing the Outcome
For Houston, the upside is clear. Garland gives the team structure and playmaking, something Durant-led teams have often needed. The concern is Garland’s injury history and the loss of Green’s long-term potential.Also read: NBA trade rumors: Los Angeles Lakers possibly parting ways with $33 million star guard to bolster perimeter defense and increase title oddsCleveland would pick up depth, cap flexibility, and future assets, but the cost is losing its most natural point guard. Unless Jalen Green makes a real jump, the balance tilts toward Houston, especially with Durant still performing at an elite level.
