In one of the most significant offseason transactions, the Houston Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade.
The deal gives Houston a proven offensive star and reunites Durant with head coach Ime Udoka after their time together on Team USA. For a team eager to contend, this kind of addition instantly alters expectations.
Kevin Durant Changes Outlook on Rockets, but One Analyst Sees a Problem
Last season, the Rockets were on the rise. They finished 52-30, locked up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and celebrated their first division title since 2020. But their playoff run ended abruptly with a first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors. Turning a successful regular season into a quick postseason exit led Houston to target something it lacked: a scorer in the clutch.
Still, not everyone is convinced the Rockets’ problems are solved. NBA insider Michael C. Wright believes one big question could define Houston’s season.
“Durant will fill the scoring void left by last season’s leading scorer, Jalen Green, who was traded to Phoenix,” Wright wrote. “But there are concerns regarding whether Houston will be able to lean on consistent offensive production in the backcourt from Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.”
Bleacher Report ranked Houston’s new big three as the fourth-best in the NBA in their recent article
Houston was a +26.8 last season when Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson shared the court without Jalen Green 👀
Putting them with Kevin Durant is described as “the perfect fit” pic.twitter.com/6BGid8mWED
— SleeperRockets (@SleeperRockets) August 12, 2025
Veteran point guard VanVleet showed his ability to step up during the playoffs by averaging 18.7 points and making 43.5% of his 3-point attempts. However, he shot just 34.5% from deep during the regular season, raising questions about whether he can sustain his postseason form.
Then there’s Thompson, entering his third season. He’s athletic, creative and full of potential, but still developing as a shooter. Sheppard, meanwhile, is set for a much bigger role after a rookie year in which he averaged just under 13 minutes a game. How quickly he adjusts to the spotlight will be critical.
Maximizing Durant Will Be Key to Houston’s Success
Shooting depth is also a concern. Floor spacing will be essential to maximizing Durant’s strengths, especially his midrange game. The Rockets hope new addition Dorian Finney-Smith can help in that area. He has been one of the league’s more reliable shooters, hitting nearly 40% from beyond the arc in each of the past three seasons. But one shooter can’t carry the entire perimeter load.
The Rockets got their star, and there’s no denying Durant changes the outlook of this team. But as Wright pointed out, championship hopes won’t rest on Durant alone. Houston’s season may come down to whether the rest of the roster can deliver when the games matter most.
