Rockets and Durant: A Match Made in Hoops Heaven?
As I scrolled through my Twitter feed this morning, I narrowly avoided tossing my coffee mug against the wall when I read the latest on Houston’s kryptonite—their blockbuster strategy in the off-season. General Manager Rafael Stone, in one of his more candid moments Houston general manager Rafael Stone has been clear, declared the plan; let’s percolate with our young crew, assess the grounds, and figure out where the beans need grinding come the season’s end. He’s quoted, “We like where we’re at. We want to continue to develop our guys, full stop… We definitely want this group to be as good as it can be this year, and then we’ll evaluate things at the end of the year.”
Now, what’s glaringly absent here is the kind of talent that doesn’t spoil when you short-whisk it but makes you reconsider your entire strategy when the first-round buzzer sounds. Here’s the rub: Houston’s core is young, vibrant, but who’s the go-to guy when the clutch comes calling? Click-bait aside, the whispers have been swirling, Houston’s potential acquisition of Kevin Durant has left the air charged, the interest is indeed mutual.
But let’s hit pause for a second. If Houston falls flat in the playoffs, does ‘KD’ make sense? I’ve been hearing, “If you lose early … could [the Rockets] look at a guy like Kevin Durant? … Monitor them.”[^2] With Durant’s skillset, he could very well be the answer to their prayers, transforming them from up-and-comers to genuine perils. Phoenix, on the other hand, might be eyeing Houston’s picks and young players as prime prospects to help them restock their roster, taking the pain out of potentially tearing it all down to rebuild around Devin Booker.[^3]
Sure, the Heat, T-Wolves, Knicks, and Spurs might be salivating, but does Houston truly align with Durant’s aspirations? And at what cost?
Other teams will be interested. The Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs have been rumored. Yet, looking at that group, the Rockets make the most sense for the Suns because of the package they could return. Does it make the most sense for Houston?It’s going to be an interesting summer in Phoenix.If Durant is looking for a place where his presence lifts the team to contention, Houston may be the answer. From Phoenix’s perspective, the Rockets have the combination of picks and young players to help the Suns restock their roster as they rebuild around Devin Booker. Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks a night across 62 games this season — he remains one of the most efficient shooters in the league, a guy who can just go get a bucket. That comes at a price. Durant, who will turn 37 before next season, will make .7 million next season, and he is eligible for a two-year, 2 million extension.The question most observers have with Houston is, who is its go-to scorer in the clutch? If the Rockets come out of their first-round series with the Warriors asking the same question, the answer might be Kevin Durant. There have been rumors of Houston’s interest in the future Hall of Famer, and that interest is mutual, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
“If you lose early … could [the Rockets] look at a guy like Kevin Durant? … Monitor them.”Houston general manager Rafael Stone has been clear: He wants to play this season out with the Rockets’ young core and then assess whether any moves need to be made. “We like where we’re at. We want to continue to develop our guys, full stop… We definitely want this group to be as good as it can be this year, and then we’ll evaluate things at the end of the year.”It would be shocking if Durant is back with the Suns next season. Houston might be the destination that makes the most sense to Phoenix, but the Rockets are going to let the postseason play out, then make a call. If the Rockets beat the Warriors in the first round, do they feel the same way about adding Durant?
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