Former NBA player Chandler Parsons opens up on the possibility of Kevin Durant arriving to the Rockets

The Houston Rockets are having an incredible season. They were not considered top contenders at the beginning, but they have proven the critics wrong. The team has shown impressive consistency and earned a place in the playoffs. They did it all without a true superstar on the roster. However, that situation could change next season. Rumors are already linking veteran Kevin Durant to the franchise. After the news broke, former Rockets player Chandler Parsons shared his opinion on his possible arrival to the team.

“There’s a long runway with this group. You go and get off Jalen Green, who’s super young right now and is not even close to his prime, and you bring in a Kevin Durant? Now there’s expectations and pressure to win right now. So it kind of shifts the whole mindset of where the Rockets are,” stated Chandler Parsons on Run It Back.

Kevin Durant’s arrival would help the franchise. However, it could also lead to the departure of Jalen Green, who is only 23 years old. This possibility has sparked controversy. Many believe letting him go would mirror what the Phoenix Suns did: Sacrificing the future for short-term success.

Still, that strategy has not led to consistent success in the NBA. Even so, some teams keep relying on it. Repeating that mistake would hurt the franchise’s long-term growth. It would also go against the idea of building a solid project step by step. Besides, Jalen already proved he can lead a rebuild like the Rockets’. He averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season. Letting him leave now would be a serious mistake.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 16, 2023.

How was Kevin Durant’s last season with the Phoenix Suns?

The Phoenix Suns had a disappointing season. However, Kevin Durant delivered a strong individual performance. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. With these numbers, he led the team in scoring and surpassed Devin Booker on offense. In addition, Durant scored 30 or more points in three of the last five games. This stretch proved that age is not slowing him down.

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Despite Durant’s standout individual season, the Phoenix Suns’ overall failure has forced the franchise to take a dramatic turn. As a result, the franchise decided to make a drastic change. They fired head coach Mike Budenholzer and started planning a new direction. Now, rumors of a major roster shakeup have begun to circulate. The team wants to get younger and rebuild its core.