Kevin Durant is going to the Houston Rockets and with that, their starting lineup will change massively. After being the Western Conference second seed in the NBA last season, the Rockets see in KD the missing piece to contend for a title. Shams Charania, NBA insider for ESPN, reported the news.
Now, the likely lineup is a scary one. Fred VanVleet will be at the point guard, bringing experience, dynamic and three-point shooting. Amen Thompson will have a massive opportunity to blossom into one of the league’s best shooting guards. Kevin Durant is the new, shiny small forward as Jabari Smith Jr. plays power forward to bring some presence at the key. At center, rising star Alperen Sengun will continue to shine.
Of course, there are a couple of names you don’t see there. That’s because landing a name like Kevin Durant comes at a cost as well. Both Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks are now set to play for the Phoenix Suns. Aside from both players, the Rockets traded the No.10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks.
The Rockets traded a young rising star for a proven veteran
Landing Durant is a huge deal. He is not a stranger to take the NBA by storm with his trades. However, the question arises: is it worthy? Besides trading two key players and the 10th pick, it’s one of those faces that might hurt Rockets fans: Jalen Green.
Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 23, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Green played the 82 games last season and averaged 21 points per game, along with 3.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds. Durant played only 62 games but averaged 26.6 points per game, with 4.2 assists and 6 rebounds. So, statistically, Durant is better, but he missed 20 games with injuries and he will be 37 years old next season.
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Green not only had more games, but is only 22 years old. He is not even close to his prime while some might say Durant is in the twilight of his career. Even if Durant is still a great player, Green was not one of those players Houston fans wanted to get rid of.
The Rockets are still a contender
Houston has a great blend of experience and young players. While VanVleet and Durant will add offensive prowess, NBA championship experience and leadership, players like Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun are young, big-time prospects who will energize and put pace on the floor.
Jabari Smith is entering his fourth year and is going to be 22 years old. He played 57 games, with 39 of them being as a starter. It’s natural that he takes another leap this year. Amen Thompson awaits his third season and he took a massive leap in production as a sophomore, bringing 14.1 points per game for the Rockets. Last but not least, Sengun. He will play on his fifth campaign and has already been an All-Star at 22 years old. Sengun can do it all on the floor.
Houston will still be a contender, but it will all depend on Durant’s health. If KD manages to avoid injuries, the Rockets will certainly be a threat to any team in the Western Conference.
