NBA’s First-Ever Seven-Team Trade: Breaking Down the Moves

By Edcel Panganiban July 16, 2025 09:02

The NBA made history on July 6, 2025, finalizing its first-ever seven-team trade, a massive and complex deal centered around superstar Kevin Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets. The unprecedented seven-team swap involved the Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, creating a significant ripple effect across the league.

At the core of the trade, the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns alongside rim-protecting center Clint Capela in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Hawks. Houston hopes this star pairing will catapult them past the Western Conference’s elite. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka expressed excitement, saying, “Kevin’s skill, competitiveness, and leadership perfectly complement what we’re building here in Houston. We’re thrilled to add a player of his caliber.” Durant’s arrival signals Houston’s determination to challenge perennial powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Suns received a substantial package back, including dynamic guard Jalen Green, versatile wing Dillon Brooks, and promising two-way player Daeqwon Plowden. In addition, Phoenix secured the 10th overall draft pick, Khaman Maluach, and several other draft assets. This haul reflects the Suns’ strategic pivot toward youth and future flexibility. General manager James Jones emphasized, “While losing Kevin is tough, the young talent and draft capital we acquired provide an exciting foundation to build upon.”

Other teams reaped benefits too. The Hawks picked up forward David Roddy and a second-round pick swap, adding depth and youth to their frontcourt. The Nets bolstered their future with multiple 2026 and 2030 second-round picks obtained from the Rockets. Golden State acquired prospects Alex Toohey and Jahmai Mashack, while the Lakers added draft pick Adou Thiero (No. 36 overall) as part of a side deal with Minnesota who themselves received guard Rocco Zikarsky, two second-round picks, and cash considerations. This intricate chain of moves allowed all seven teams to address specific roster or financial needs in one consolidated transaction.

The logistical complexity of this trade is unparalleled. Previously, the largest NBA trade involved six teams, set in 2024 when Klay Thompson was sent to the Dallas Mavericks. The inclusion of multiple draft pick exchanges and a sign-and-trade for Capela explains why the NBA approved merging several prior independently agreed trades into this historic seven-team package. NBA sources note that combining the moves streamlined league processing and provided clarity to the involved franchises before the new fiscal year began on July 1.

From a financial perspective, the sign-and-trade of Capela helped the Rockets navigate salary cap rules, enabling them to sign him to a three-year, $21 million contract without burning excessive cap space. Cash considerations also moved between teams, including $3.25 million from the Lakers to the Suns and smaller sums elsewhere, highlighting the deal’s complex financial balancing act.

This landmark trade underscores the evolving nature of NBA front-office strategy in the post-Tampering Rule era, where teams increasingly orchestrate multi-team deals to maximize cap flexibility, draft assets, and roster construction. As ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst stated, “This trade exemplifies where the NBA is headed larger, more intricate trades that allow teams to reshape their entire rosters and futures simultaneously. It’s chess at the highest level.”

In sum, the July 6 seven-team trade reshaped multiple franchises in one fell swoop. Kevin Durant’s move to Houston is the centerpiece, but every participating team secured meaningful pieces aligned with their long-term goals. This historic deal not only redefines trade possibilities in the NBA but also sets a precedent teams will explore in future summers as competition intensifies across the league. Fans and analysts alike now eagerly await the impact these moves will have on the 2025-26 season and beyond.