Despite shipping their two picks in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns as part of the trade package for Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets will still be hosting an NBA Draft Party at the Toyota Center.
Draft Party Information
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- When: Wednesday, June 25, beginning at 4 p.m. (The draft begins at approximately 7 p.m.)
- Where: Toyota Center (1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002)
Former Rockets players Steve Francis and Moochie Norris, along with legendary coach Rudy Tomjanovich, will be there to sign autographs, take pictures, and chat with fans.
The event will also feature appearances by SportsTalk 790’s Matt Thomas, as well as Space City Home Network talent Craig Ackerman, Ryan Hollins, Calvin Murphy, and Vanessa Richardson.
Before the draft kicks off, guests will be invited to play on three half-sized basketball courts on the main floor of Toyota Center from 4 to 6 p.m. The Rockets SkyCourt will be open for kids and will include balloon twisters, face painters, inflatables, photo booths, and more.
In addition to the entertainment on the main court, fans can take photos with the team’s two Larry O’Brien Trophies from the 1994 and 1995 NBA Finals championships.
Tickets for the event are available at Rockets.com, and guests may park for free on levels 4 to 7 of the Toyota Tundra Garage, adjacent to Toyota Center.
Where the Rockets Will Pick
The Rockets still technically hold the 10th overall pick and the 59th overall pick in the draft, meaning NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will say, “The Houston Rockets select…” and the players will wear Rockets hats. However, those selections will only be Rockets picks in technicality.
In reality, both picks are now controlled by the Phoenix Suns, as they were dealt to the desert in the blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. This means the Rockets will make the selections under the Suns’ direction, and they have no intention of retaining either player at this time.
That doesn’t mean the Rockets have no shot at making a pick, though—they could still make a trade to get back into the draft, possibly targeting a cheaper contract, ideally in the second round.
Why This Is Happening
The reason the Rockets will be “drafting” these players rather than the Suns is due to a trade restriction involving Jalen Green, one of the players included in the Durant deal. This restriction prevents the trade from becoming official until July 6, meaning the players and draft rights involved have not yet officially changed hands.
Green has a contractual clause known as the “poison pill” restriction, which is tied to the rookie extension he signed in October 2024. The clause prevents Green from being traded before the NBA’s new league year, which begins on July 1. Due to procedural delays, the earliest date the trade can be finalized is July 6.
This isn’t a reason for Rockets fans to panic. The deal has already been agreed upon by both clubs, and the delay is purely procedural. Barring an unforeseen collapse, Kevin Durant will be a Rocket, and the two players taken at No. 10 and No. 59 will be Suns.
