In a wild NBA weekend, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the franchise's first-ever championship, Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, and Kevin Durant was traded to the Rockets. As crazy as it sounds, the Durant news felt more important to me as an NBA fan than Game 7. The Thunder felt like a team of destiny all playoffs long, and after Haliburton went down, it all but solidified they’d become champs. But this article is focused on the next chapter of KD's career in H-Town.
Yesterday afternoon, while on stage at Fanatics Fest in New York, Kevin Durant found out he had been traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, five second-round picks, Jalen Green, and NBA “villain” Dillon Brooks.
This marks the end of the big three of Booker, Beal, and Durant in Phoenix—yet another failed superteam on KD’s résumé. But this move to Houston feels different. Durant, who admitted Houston was at the top of his preferred destination list, usually joins teams with other veterans. This time, he’ll be one of the only veterans on a young roster. The average age of the Rockets last season was 26, and despite their youth, they managed to win 52 games in a loaded Western Conference.
On top of that, they proved they could go toe-to-toe with experienced teams, taking Steph and the Warriors to seven games in the first round. Watching that series, their offense revolved around Alperen Şengün’s playmaking and the elite athleticism of Amen Thompson. But with a lack of consistent perimeter shooting outside of Fred VanVleet, it was clear they needed another piece to push them over the top.
Insert Kevin Durant, who led the league in mid-range shooting last season (55%) and shot 43% from three. Not only does he elevate their offense to the next level, but he also brings championship experience and gives them the late-game closer they’ve been missing.
On the other side, the Suns received a promising young talent in Jalen Green, who has shown flashes but still hasn’t fully lived up to expectations. He’s had an up-and-down start to his career, and after shrinking in this year’s playoffs, it felt like the right time for Houston to move on. A fresh start in Phoenix could benefit him, and pairing him with Devin Booker in the backcourt could be compelling if Green buys in defensively.
Back to Houston, I fully expect a 27-6-4 year from Durant and another efficient season from Şengün. But the real X-factor is Amen Thompson. I foresee him taking a massive leap next season and establishing himself as a bona fide top-15 player in the league. His combination of length, athleticism, and defensive instincts is truly remarkable, and with another offseason under his belt and KD by his side, the sky’s the limit.
While it may not result in an NBA Finals appearance in Year one, the Rockets are now a young, deep, and dangerous team. With proven scoring, veteran leadership, and elite two-way potential, they have a real chance to shake up the Western Conference and put the league on notice.
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