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Houston Rockets want to trade for Kevin Durant, could settle for lesser superstar

Theo

Credits: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday night was full of NBA news.

After the blockbuster trade of Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks for six draft picks, four of them unprotected first-rounders, and Bojan Bogdonovic, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wasn’t done breaking the news yet.

That’s because the Nets weren’t done negotiating.

A rare selection-only deal has been reached. Brooklyn and Houston reached a deal that saw the Nets return a 2026 first-round pick for a 2027 Phoenix Suns first-round pick. The Rockets also acquired the right in 2025 to trade the Houston/Oklahoma Thunder City first against the Suns’ 2025 first-round pick.

Basically, the Nets are taking their future into their own hands. If they decide to embark on a complete rebuild, they will at least have the capital to do so.

While this is all a bit confusing, the motivation behind it is not. The Houston Rockets reportedly want to trade for Kevin Durant, and they think stocking up on draft picks is the way to get that deal done.

The Suns will be extremely hesitant to trade Durant. They didn’t have instant success with him, but they are determined to do it again with the same core group next season.

According to Wojnarowski, even in a world where they can’t acquire Durant via trade, the Rockets will remain persistent in their “major improvement.”

A guy like Paul George could now potentially be an option for the Rockets if they are truly superstar shopping. Zach LaVine and Demar DeRozan also appear ready to settle into new homes.

If the Rockets can’t land Durant, it makes sense for them to accelerate their timetable right now. They were 41-41 the next year. Young contributors like Jalen Green and Amen Thompson will only get better with time. Veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have been around the block and know what it takes to compete. It’s a great list that could well be just a chunk away from the competition in the West.

Before his controversial departure from the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka was one of the best coaches in the league. A superstar in Houston will likely help him get back into this category.

Regardless of what happens with Durant and Houston, this NBA offseason already seems more exciting than the Finals.

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