The Kevin Durant sweepstakes are heating up, and the Houston Rockets could be emerging as the frontrunners.
According to Yahoo Sports' Tom Haberstroh, who appeared as a guest on The Kevin O'Connor Show, Houston’s combination of young assets and coaching connections makes them the ideal destination for KD.
Habestroh also theorized that the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves -- both reportedly among the top three remaining landing spots for Durant -- are not legit options but are merely being used by the Suns' front office for leverage.
“I think the Heat and Minnesota stuff … (might be) posturing or (a) leverage play to me,” Haberstroh said. “It feels a little bit like that, because I think it’s going to be Houston (for Durant)."
"Given the Ime Udoka and Kevin Durant situation … Ime was in Brooklyn while KD was over there, and it seems like they had a relationship … I think you would want to have that type of relationship with the head coach or trust with the head coach, because you’ve got one, two maybe great years left of Kevin Durant," Haberstroh continued.
"Not only do they have the draft picks to flaunt over there to Phoenix, they also have Reed Sheppard, Jalen Green … so many good young players. I wouldn’t put Amen Thompson into a deal, obviously, but I think they have enough assets here that could be attractive to Phoenix … I think Houston makes the most sense here. Throwing the Heat into that mix and Minnesota … I think it’s a way to try to draw more assets out of Houston for a 37-year-old star.”
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From Haberstroh’s analysis, it appears the Rockets are in the best position to acquire the Phoenix Suns’ 15-time All-Star and former MVP.
Houston can offer a compelling package without sacrificing core pieces like Amen Thompson or Alperen Şengün.
Houston’s rapid rise to the No. 2 seed in the West under Udoka’s defensive-minded system highlights their readiness for a star like Durant, whose 26.6 points per game and 63.2 percent true shooting this season could address the Rockets' offensive shortcomings.
With Durant’s contract expiring after 2025-26, the Rockets could maximize what's left of KD's career while preserving flexibility for their young core’s growth.
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