After a miserable season in Phoenix, NBA superstar Kevin Durant is set to try his luck elsewhere for the 2025-26 campaign. With the Suns expected to field offers from across the league for Durant, several teams have emerged as leading contenders, including the Houston Rockets.
“There is going to be a level of mutual interest, there has been already, with them and Kevin Durant with the Suns,” said Charania on NBA Today. “Seeing how they do, if they win a couple of rounds, they might be good where they’re at. If you lose early or don’t win enough to get where you want to, could you look at a guy like Kevin Durant once again this offseason?”
The Houston Rockets have been among the league’s most impressive teams all season long. Even without an A-tier superstar, the Rockets have thrived in the West due to their amazing depth, along with a winning culture that has been set by head coach Ime Udoka.
After trading away James Harden in 2021, the Rockets fell into dark times waiting for their next superstar, but it didn’t take them long to rebuild. With young talent like Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets found their formula for success, and they might just be one or two pieces away from winning the title.
At 36 years old, Kevin Durant is closer to the end than the start of his career, but he still has enough time to help the Rockets reach the peak of their potential. In 145 games with the Suns, Durant has been elite on the court with averages of 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 52.7% shooting.
Unfortunately for Durant, the Suns have been an utter disappointment this season, and finishing 11th place was the final straw that sparked major changes within the organization. The first one to go was coach Mike Budenholzer, who had reportedly lost the locker room after butting heads with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Under normal circumstances, the Suns would no doubt trade Beal as soon as they were able, but his no-trade clause gives him complete control. Instead, they’ll likely have to trade Kevin Durant, and his name will be mixed up in all sorts of rumors.
As a premium 7-foot scorer and shooter, Kevin Durant is an instant ceiling-raiser, and the Rockets are the perfect fit for his game. With Sengun, Brooks, and Thompson on the frontline, the Rockets would be set defensively, and Durant could keep his focus on the offensive end, which is where the Rockets need the most improvement (ranked 13th in the NBA).
Under coach Udoka, Durant would play in a system that caters to everyone’s strengths, that’s also free of drama and strife. Durant could hoop without any distractions on a team that could compete with some of the best in the West.
It remains to be seen what the Rockets would be willing to give up to get Durant, but the price will be steep and the risk will be high. The Rockets would be Kevin’s third move since 2019, and it’s been even longer since the last time he won a title.
In the final stage of his career, Durant has to look for a place where he can break his playoff drought and finally prove that he can win a title without the help of Stephen Curry. Now that the Suns have been deemed a failure, Durant can try his luck in Houston and become the final piece of a budding young dynasty.
