Maybe it is Houston’s Time to Shine

The Houston Rockets might have just pulled off the biggest power move of the entire offseason. After a few seasons of promising development, a lot of young talent, and not much winning, they finally said enough is enough and traded for Kevin Durant. The deal sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and a bunch of second-rounders to Phoenix, and honestly, it feels like a gamble that’s totally worth it. KD might not be in his prime anymore, but he’s still one of the most skilled scorers in NBA history and a walking bucket in the playoffs. Just putting him in the same lineup with Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Cam Whitmore immediately raises the ceiling of this team. No more "young potential" tag. No more excuses. This version of the Rockets is built to actually win.

You could already feel this team was on the edge of something during their 2025 playoff run. Their series against the Warriors was one of the most entertaining matchups of the postseason, and Houston looked like they belonged in every game. They had the size, the defense, the athleticism, and they played with serious heart. But what was missing was obvious: they didn’t have a reliable go-to scorer when things got tight in the fourth quarter. VanVleet is a steady leader and a solid shooter, but he’s not the guy you give the ball to with two minutes left and expect a bucket every time. That series exposed that gap, and now they’ve filled it in the most dangerous way possible by adding Kevin Durant. He’s the ultimate closer, and even at this point in his career, he can get to his spot and hit tough shots when no one else can. The idea of giving him the ball late in playoff games while young, energetic wings fly around him spacing the floor? That’s a problem for the rest of the Western Conference.

The Rockets didn’t just go for a flashy name. They’re building something well-rounded. Jabari Smith Jr. continues to develop into a reliable two-way threat and just signed a major extension, showing that the team believes in his future. Amen Thompson has been growing into his role as a lead playmaker and defender. Cam Whitmore is showing promise as a scorer and physical mismatch. And Alperen Sengun, who somehow still flies under the radar, gives them one of the most creative offensive bigs in the league. Add to that a veteran like VanVleet and now Durant, and suddenly this team has experience, shot creation, size, and defensive upside. The West is stacked with contenders like OKC, Denver, and Minnesota, but Houston is officially in that conversation now. They’re not rebuilding. They’re ready. This team has made it clear: they’re done being a "maybe in a few years" squad. With KD leading the way and a strong foundation behind him, the Rockets are coming and they’re not just trying to make the playoffs anymore. They’re trying to win it all.