HOUSTON — Nineteen seasons into his NBA career, Kevin Durant is back in Texas, convinced the Houston Rockets represent his best path to a third championship.
The Trade That Re-shaped Houston
Fifty days after Houston’s Game 7 first-round loss to Golden State on May 4, the Rockets and Phoenix Suns headlined a seven-team deal that sent Durant to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round selections. The move followed Houston’s first 50-win season since 2018-19 and instantly shifted the club from up-and-coming to title contender.
Durant, 37, finalized a two-year, $90 million extension on Oct. 19 that includes a player option for 2027-28.
Chasing Perfection
Despite two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP and four Olympic gold medals, the forward says he is still pursuing a flawless game. “I won’t consistently play perfect games,” Durant acknowledged, “but trying to get there in the small amount of time I’ve got left in this game — why not?”
Udoka’s Confidence
Head coach Ime Udoka, who once guarded Durant as a player and later coached him with Team USA and the Brooklyn Nets, believes the veteran’s approach will elevate a roster that features 10 players age 28 or younger. “He elevates our whole group,” Udoka said. “That love for the game is what it’s all about.”
Udoka addressed the team after guard Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending right ACL tear in late September, showing a clip from the film “Paid in Full” to underline his message: injuries happen, and the Rockets must adapt. Durant is expected to help fill the playmaking void alongside Amen Thompson, rookie Reed Sheppard and center Alperen Sengun.
Preseason Debut
Durant’s first appearance in a Houston uniform came Oct. 20 at Toyota Center, a 140-127 preseason victory over the Utah Jazz. After missing his initial three shots, the 13-time All-Star hit seven straight and finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 23 minutes.
Five days later in Birmingham, Alabama, he started at guard in a supersized lineup that included Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun and Steven Adams, marking his first guard start in any game since Jan. 9, 2009. Durant scored 15 points as Houston edged the New Orleans Pelicans 130-128.
Numbers That Fit Houston’s Needs
Last season, Durant converted 50.9% of his off-the-dribble jumpers — second-best in the league since player tracking began in 2013-14 — and 49.7% of all jump shots, tops among players with at least 50 attempts. Houston finished 27th in points per direct isolation and 27th in effective field-goal percentage on jumpers, underscoring why general manager Rafael Stone called Durant “a unicorn.”
Familiar Faces
The Rockets’ staff includes several University of Texas alumni: Dexter Pittman (intern), D.J. Augustin (front office) and assistant coach Royal Ivey. Veteran forward Jeff Green, Durant’s former teammate in Seattle, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn, said the superstar “has always kept to himself, put his head down and let the basketball do the talking.”
Looking Ahead
Stone admitted the club was prepared to retain its core until Phoenix’s price for Durant dipped over the summer. “We did it because of the opportunity,” he said. Udoka added that expectations “go way up” with Durant in the fold.
Durant believes his relentless quest for perfection can end in Houston. “I can see myself retiring here and being a Rocket until it’s over with,” he said. “As of today, that’s how I feel.”
Source: ESPN
