The Houston Rockets head into the summer with major questions surrounding Kevin Durant’s future after a first-round exit to a depleted Los Angeles Lakers roster.
Durant sat almost entire series
The 37-year-old forward missed five of six playoff games, first sidelined by a right knee contusion in Game 1 and later by a left ankle sprain and bone bruise that kept him out of Games 3-6. In his lone appearance, a Game 2 loss, Durant posted 23 points, six rebounds and four assists but committed nine turnovers.
Before Game 5, head coach Ime Udoka told reporters Durant was “not close” to returning, citing limited mobility and ongoing pain that prevented him from completing key movements on the court.
Strong regular season, turbulent All-Star break
Durant played 78 games in his first year with Houston, leading the team in scoring and ranking second league-wide in minutes. Multiple league sources, however, confirmed to The Athletic that a burner-account scandal during the All-Star break created a lingering distraction. The reports allege Durant used anonymous group-chat profiles to criticize current and former teammates—including Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.—a situation teammates kept private and never fully resolved internally.
Contract math and on-court fit
Durant is owed $43.9 million next season and holds a $46 million player option for 2027/28, effectively entering the final year of his deal as the Rockets hover near the luxury-tax threshold. Team officials are also concerned the offense stalled when built around Durant and Sengun, partly because other players failed to capitalize on open looks.
Eason negotiations, leadership stability
Restricted free agent Tari Eason is next in line for a new contract. Both sides nearly completed an extension worth more than $100 million before the October deadline and plan to revisit talks this offseason. The front office must balance that decision with a possible five-year extension for Amen Thompson projected at more than $250 million.
Despite the early playoff exit, ownership has no plans to replace Udoka or general manager Rafael Stone, according to Yahoo Sports. Leadership believes a healthy core of Durant, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams keeps Houston within striking distance of Western Conference rivals Oklahoma City and San Antonio, while remaining open to roster upgrades.
Sengun on trade rumors
Center Alperen Sengun, frequently mentioned as a potential trade chip in any star pursuit, told reporters after Friday’s loss that roster decisions are “the front office’s job,” adding, “Wherever I go, or if I stay here, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
The Rockets’ next moves—starting with Durant’s status and Eason’s contract—will clarify whether last year’s blockbuster trade can still elevate a talented but unsettled roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
