DHJ Quick Take
- Trade Potential: Despite acquiring Kevin Durant just last offseason, the Rockets may look to trade the 37-year-old superstar this summer, potentially viewing him as a “stepping stone” rather than the final piece of a championship puzzle.
- Contract Context: Durant is currently signed to a two-year, $90 million extension (running through the 2027-28 season) that he took at a discount to provide Houston with cap flexibility—a move that now makes his contract highly movable for interested suitors.
- Widespread Interest: If made available, at least 22 NBA teams are expected to show varying degrees of interest, as Durant remains an elite scorer despite Houston’s recent struggles and his own injury issues during the 2026 playoffs.
NBA reporter Michael Pina of The Ringer thinks the Houston Rockets could trade Kevin Durant this offseason.
The Rockets acquired Durant from the Phoenix Suns last offseason and signed the future Hall of Famer to a two-year, $90 million extension.
“The Rockets thought that KD was their missing piece, and instead, there’s a chance they’ll turn him into a stepping stone this summer,” Pina wrote. “It turns out that your best player shouldn’t also be a mercenary. But despite that, the Heat, Timberwolves, Blazers, Mavericks, Pistons, Knicks, Raptors, Hawks, Magic, Lakers, Nuggets, Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, Warriors, Pacers, Jazz, Sixers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers would all have varying degrees of interest—pending how the rest of these playoffs go.”
Houston is down 3-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2026 playoffs. Durant missed Game 1, played in Game 2, missed Games 3 and 4 and could miss Game 5.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Durant will make $43,902,439 next season. He has a player option worth $46,097,561 for the 2027-28 season. The 16-time All-Star played in 78 games this regular season. He averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists a night while shooting 52.0% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
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. However, most people who cover the NBA believe Durant was behind the burner accounts.
No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 series deficit in a playoff series. Houston won Game 4 against Los Angeles to stave off elimination at home, but while anything is possible in sports, no one expects the Lakers to lose four games in a row to the Rockets.
It will be fascinating to see if Durant is traded this offseason again. The two-time Finals MVP doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
A top-75 player of all time, 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.
Durant 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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