DHJ Quick Take
- Internal Friction: Kevin Durant’s “moodiness” reportedly strained his relationship with the Houston Rockets‘ roster, specifically wearing on the patience of the team’s younger players throughout the season.
- Burner Account Controversy: Following the 2026 All-Star Game, Durant had to address accusations that he used social media burner accounts to criticize teammates Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr.
- Postseason Disappointment: Despite a strong 52-win regular season, Houston was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant only played in Game 2.
Kevin Durant‘s “moodiness” took Houston Rockets players some getting used to and it wore on the team’s young players, according to Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
The Rockets acquired Durant from the Phoenix Suns last offseason. Houston won 52 games this regular season but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs in six games. Durant only played in Game 2 of the series because of a knee and ankle injury.
After the 2026 All-Star Game, Durant brushed off accusations on social media that he was behind burner accounts that were critical of teammates Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. Durant discussed the situation with his teammates.
Along with Şengün and Smith Jr., the Rockets’ young core consists of Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
“I’ve heard that there were a couple people who were bothered by what he said on the burner account but none of them were in our locker room,” one Rockets source told ESPN. “I think Kevin might’ve been worried about it being a distraction to the team. But literally no one cared about it. The guys [he] mentioned are not sensitive about stuff said about them online.”
One of the best players in NBA history, Durant will make $43.9 million next season. He has a player option worth $46.1 million for the 2027-28 season. The 16-time All-Star played in 78 games in his first campaign with Houston. He averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game while shooting 52.0% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
Durant has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Suns and Rockets. He holds career averages of 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
A future Hall of Famer, Durant — who is not expected to be traded this offseason — hasn’t gotten back to the NBA Finals since leaving the Warriors in the summer of 2019. In fact, he’s won only two playoff series since departing Golden State.
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