The Houston Rockets have a problem. Actually, they have several.
But the biggest one wears jersey No. 7, stands 6-foot-11, and answers to the name Kevin Durant.
When the Rockets traded for Durant in 2025 and then signed him to a two-year, $90 million contract extension (with a player option for 2027-28), the message was clear: win now. Not later. Not in three years. Now.
But after a first-round playoff exit that was less “competitive battle” and more “embarrassing collapse,” the Rockets are facing an uncomfortable question:
Is keeping Kevin Durant still a good investment?
Let me break down the numbers, the age concerns, the young core’s development, and why Houston is at a crossroads that could define the franchise for the next decade.
The Playoff Disaster: What Actually Happened
Let me start with the cold, hard truth.
The Rockets entered the playoffs with expectations. They had Kevin Durant. They had a young, talented core. They were supposed to make noise in the Western Conference.
Instead, they got embarrassed.
Durant missed almost the entire series against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a practice-induced ankle sprain and a knee contusion. The same Durant who signed a $90 million extension. The same Durant who was supposed to be the playoff closer. The same Durant who has a reputation as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
He suited up for one game. He put up 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Solid numbers. Not superhero numbers. Not “carry the team on my back” numbers.
The Rockets lost the series 4-2. A first-round exit. Far below expectations.
And the worst part? The Lakers were missing Luka Dončić for the entire series. Austin Reaves arrived late. The Lakers were undermanned. And the Rockets still couldn’t win.
That’s not a bad break. That’s a systemic failure.
The Age Problem: Durant Is 37 and Breaking Down
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Kevin Durant is 37 years old. He’s played 18 NBA seasons. He’s had multiple major injuries, including a ruptured Achilles that cost him an entire season.
At his age, every minute on the court takes a toll. The body doesn’t recover the way it used to. The injuries become more frequent. The missed games add up.
This season, Durant couldn’t even make it through a full playoff series without getting hurt in practice. Practice.
The concerns about his durability can only grow. They won’t get better. Father Time is undefeated, and he’s coming for the Slim Reaper.
The Rockets are paying Durant $45 million per year. That’s superstar money. That’s “carry the franchise” money. But they’re getting a player who can’t stay on the court when it matters most.
The Young Core: Amen, Alperen, and Jabari Need Touches
Let me talk about the future.
The Rockets have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA:
Amen Thompson – A 6-foot-7 athletic freak with point guard skills. He’s a walking triple-double threat.
Alperen Sengun – A 6-foot-11 Turkish sensation who is already one of the most skilled big men in the league.
Jabari Smith Jr. – A 6-foot-10 stretch forward with defensive versatility and a smooth jumper.
These three players are the future of the franchise. They’ve already proven they have elite potential. They need touches. They need minutes. They need the freedom to make mistakes, learn, and grow.
But as long as Kevin Durant is wearing a Rockets jersey, he will be the focal point of the offense. He will get the ball in crunch time. He will take the big shots. He will command the touches.
That’s not a knock on Durant. He’s earned that right. But it means Amen, Alperen, and Jabari will be relegated to secondary roles. They won’t develop as quickly. They won’t get the same opportunities.
The Rockets have to choose: develop their young stars or ride Durant’s championship timeline. They can’t do both.
The Contract: $90 Million for a Part-Time Player
Let me get into the money.
Durant signed a two-year, $90 million contract extension in October 2025. He has a player option for the 2027-28 season.
That’s $45 million per year.
For that kind of money, you expect:
70+ games played
25+ points per game
Availability in the playoffs
Leadership and stability
What the Rockets got:
A player who missed almost an entire playoff series due to a practice injury
A 37-year-old whose body is breaking down
A superstar who couldn’t rise to the occasion when his team needed him most
Is that worth $45 million? In a vacuum, maybe. Durant’s talent is undeniable. When healthy, he’s still a top-10 player.
But the Rockets aren’t a win-now team. They’re a “win in two or three years” team. And by the time that window opens, Durant will be 39 or 40 years old.
Paying $45 million for a player who might not even be on the court is bad business. It’s even worse when that money could be used to extend the young core.
The Trade Option: Moving Durant While His Value Is Still High
Let me offer a solution.
Kevin Durant’s reputation and talent maintain high trade value. Even at 37, even with injury concerns, contenders will line up to acquire him. He’s Kevin Durant.
The Rockets could pivot. They could trade Durant for a package of young players and draft picks. They could shift gears back to a long-term development strategy.
What could a trade package look like?
From a contender: A young player (or two), plus multiple first-round picks, plus salary filler.
From a rebuilding team: A treasure chest of draft capital and a promising prospect.
The Rockets already have a strong young core. Adding more picks and prospects would supercharge their rebuild. They could be a dynasty in three to five years.
Or they could keep Durant, watch him decline, watch the young core stagnate, and watch their championship window slam shut.
The choice seems obvious.
The “One More Year” Trap
Let me warn you about a common NBA fallacy.
Teams often convince themselves that “one more year” with an aging superstar will be different. They convince themselves that injuries were just bad luck. They convince themselves that next year will be the year it all comes together.
It rarely is.
The Rockets are in danger of falling into that trap. They’ll look at Durant’s one healthy playoff game (23 points, six rebounds, four assists) and convince themselves that he’s still the guy.
But he’s not the guy. Not anymore. He’s a complementary piece on a championship team — not the centerpiece.
The Rockets need to realize that before they waste another season.
What the Young Core Needs
Let me be specific about what Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. need to develop.
Amen Thompson needs the ball in his hands. He’s a point guard at heart. He needs to run the offense, make mistakes, learn decision-making, and develop his jumper. Playing off Durant would stunt that growth.
Alperen Sengun needs post touches. He’s one of the most skilled offensive big men in the league. He needs to be the hub of the offense, not a third option spotting up in the corner.
Jabari Smith Jr. needs shot attempts. He’s a rhythm shooter. He needs to take 15+ shots per game to find his groove. Playing next to Durant, he’d be lucky to get 10.
The young core needs freedom. They need room to grow. They need the training wheels to come off.
Durant prevents all of that.
The Fan Perspective: What Would You Do?
Let me ask you a question, Rockets fans.
Would you rather watch Kevin Durant score 25 points a night for one more year, knowing the team will probably lose in the first or second round again?
Or would you rather trade Durant, stockpile picks, and watch Amen, Alperen, and Jabari develop into the next great Houston dynasty?
The answer seems obvious to me. But I’m not the one who has to sell tickets or answer to a billionaire owner.
Final Verdict: Trade Durant Now
Here’s my honest take.
The Houston Rockets should trade Kevin Durant this offseason.
Not because he’s bad. He’s not. Not because he can’t help a contender. He can.
Because he doesn’t fit the Rockets’ timeline. Because his $45 million contract is preventing the young core from developing. Because he can’t stay healthy. Because the first-round exit proved that this experiment isn’t working.
The Rockets have a decision to make: short-term relevance or long-term contention.
Keeping Durant gives them short-term relevance. He’ll sell tickets. He’ll get highlights. He’ll be the name on the marquee.
But trading Durant gives them a chance at long-term contention. It gives Amen, Alperen, and Jabari the freedom to grow. It adds draft picks and young assets. It aligns the timeline.
The Rockets aren’t one piece away. They’re not even close. They need to develop their young core, let them learn through trial and error, and build a sustainable winner.
Kevin Durant doesn’t fit that vision.
One thing’s certain: If the Rockets run it back with Durant in 2026-27 and flame out again, the front office will have no one to blame but themselves.