Kevin Durant is headed to the Houston Rockets in a trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick to the Phoenix Suns. After a rough run in Phoenix, KD gets a chance to reboot his chase for a third ring. The big question now is whether the Rockets have enough to get him there.
Houston earned the second seed in the West last season but bowed out in the first round against a Golden State Warriors team featuring Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry. Facing such an experienced team, the loss was understandable.
Houston made a smart move trading Jalen Green, who was disappointing in that series, for a proven playoff scorer and two-time NBA champion in Durant. They do lose some defense with Dillon Brooks gone but have promising young players like Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason ready to take on bigger roles.
Houston’s upgrades keep them in the mix as serious playoff contenders. But former NBA point guard Jeff Teague expresses some hesitation, arguing the Rockets won’t be good enough unless they add another scorer.
“They won’t be that good unless they get another scorer. Like Thompson twin, we’re banking on him finding his jump shot. If that’s the case, we’re gonna be in trouble. But if he does find his jump shot, he’s an All-Star. But I’m not gonna bank on that right now.”
