Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook may have gone their separate ways long ago, but the respect between the two former MVPs is still there. When asked about rumors linking Westbrook to the Houston Rockets, Durant’s response on Up & Adams was simple, supportive, and genuine.
“I don’t have no clue. I haven’t asked anybody about that. I heard that too, but I don’t know. It hasn’t been brought to my desk at all. And usually when stuff like that happens, it’s pretty loud. But I haven’t really heard it outside of fans on the internet.”
“Russ is a legend. I think he deserves to be in the NBA right now, and I think he deserves to walk out of the NBA on his own terms. So yeah, that’d be dope. But it’s not my decision, I’m leaving that up to whoever makes those decisions for now.”
It’s a short but meaningful statement, especially coming from Durant, who spent eight seasons with Westbrook in Oklahoma City. The two shared an MVP-caliber partnership that electrified the league, producing unforgettable highlights, an NBA Finals appearance in 2012, and years of dominant basketball before their dramatic breakup in 2016.
Now, nearly a decade later, the possibility of Westbrook joining Durant once again, this time on the Houston Rockets, has fans buzzing.
The Rockets, who acquired Durant in a blockbuster summer trade and already boast one of the NBA’s longest rosters, currently face a major issue: they don’t have a true point guard. Fred VanVleet, the team’s starting floor general, tore his Achilles just before training camp and will likely miss the entire 2025–26 season. League rules prevent Houston from signing a new player until December 15, when certain cap restrictions are lifted.
That timeline could line up perfectly for a late-season addition and if Westbrook remains unsigned, he might just be the ideal veteran to fill that role.
Westbrook, 36, is still a free agent after finishing last season with the Denver Nuggets, where he accepted a reduced role but still made an impact. In 68 games, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, shooting 45.2% from the field.
While his outside shooting remains inconsistent (28.6% from three), Westbrook’s energy, leadership, and playmaking could fit well on a Rockets team looking to balance youth and experience.
Interestingly, Westbrook recently liked an Instagram post featuring Durant and Steven Adams, another one of his former Thunder teammates who now plays in Houston. That social media activity has fueled even more speculation that a reunion could be brewing in Texas.
For Durant, the idea of teaming up again with Russ isn’t just nostalgic, it’s a reminder of how far both have come. Durant is entering his 19th NBA season and remains one of the league’s elite scorers, while Westbrook has transitioned from superstar to respected veteran trying to finish his career on his own terms.
If the Rockets manage to make it happen, it would be one of the league’s most fascinating full-circle moments reuniting three former Thunder teammates in Durant, Westbrook, and Adams. And for Houston, which has loaded up on defense and size this offseason, adding Westbrook’s motor and veteran IQ might be the final piece of the puzzle.
