Durant s next home changes! The Rockets refuse to be the sucker, the Spurs bet on the "Death + Alien" double towers

> A deal that may change the western landscape is undercurrents

The first major drama in the 2025 NBA offseason suddenly turns! When the entire league thought Durant would choose between the Timberwolves and the Rockets, the plot took a shocking reversal. The Rockets management suddenly announced its withdrawal from the Durant battle, and the San Antonio Spurs emerged as the most likely new owner of the "God of Death". This decisive transformation may reshape the championship pattern of the entire West.

Rockets exit: A smart strategic retreat

Just a few days ago, the Rockets were Durant's second favorite, with an odds of up to +300, second only to the Timberwolves. Houston suddenly stepped on the brakes, and the reason was intriguing.

According to internal news, the Rockets refused to send Jaylen Green out in the transaction, which was the direct fuse for their exit. The Suns are asking for too high chips - in addition to Green, they also include multiple first-round picks and potential players. In the eyes of the Rockets management, the 36-year-old Durant is indeed powerful, but the risk of exchanging the future for a veteran with only one-year contract ($54.71 million) is too high. The deeper reason is the Rockets' strategic shift. As younger superstars such as Antetokounmpo enter the market, the Rockets will turn their attention to longer-term choices. Durant's age (born in September 1988) is clearly misaligned with the timeline of the Rockets' young core - when Shin Kyung and Green entered their peak period, Durant is likely to have retired.

"Durant's arrival may undermine the existing tactical system, especially on the defensive end." A Rockets insider pointed out key concerns. In Uduka's system, defense for all members is the foundation, and Durant's defensive efficiency has dropped to 42nd place in the league's small forward this season.

Spurs take action: Wenban Yama's ultimate partner? The

Rockets' exit opened the door to chance for the Spurs. San Antonio became Durant's hottest next home with lightning speed, and its advantage is hard to refuse:

Wenban Yama's Super Gravity: This 20-year-old "Alien" is already one of the league's most destructive insiders, averaging 18.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season. Durant + Vinban Yama's "two towers" combination will have both historical scoring ability and defense range covering the entire game.

Salary dividend: Wenban Yama's rookie contract (annual salary is only $12 million) gives the Spurs plenty of room to take over Durant's big contract.

High-quality chips: Devin Vassell (18.4 points per game), Kelden Johnson and the 2025 (top 5 protections), and 2027 unprotected first-round picks can all be used as trading chips.

Tactical adaptability: Durant's off-ball ability forms a natural complement to Vinban Yama's inside dominance. The combination of "Wencaimaster + Durant's large-scale projection" may create the league's most terrifying offensive system.

The Spurs management is obviously going to play a big game. Since getting Duncan in 1997, this will be the team's largest star introduction. General Manager Brian Wright firmly believes: "Durant's 158 playoff experience can accelerate the growth of Wenban Yama."

Western Conference pattern: The double towers stir up the championship competition

If Durant joins the Spurs, the Western Conference Power Map will be re-drawn:

Thunder's Youth Storm: The Thunder, who has reached the Finals this season, has the young core of Alexander + Homgren, but experience is still a shortcoming.

Timberwolves' persistence: Even if Durant is missing, the combination of Edwards + Downs/Gobert is still a strong team in the West.

The Nuggets' Road to Defend: Last season's championship was still regarded as the "team with the most complete system", but it faces the challenge of aging lineup.

The Spurs' ambitions are more than just the playoffs. The Durant-Ventang Yama combination gives the Spurs a "three-year window period for championship" - a young enough core lineup (Ventang Yama is only 20 years old) + Durant's peak tail, which may create an incredible chemistry.

risks also exist. Durant has missed 87 regular season games in the past three years, and the hidden dangers of injuries are everywhere. The probability of winning the championship after a star over 36 years old is only 12.7%, and the Spurs may lose all their money by gambles.

Durant's choice: The ultimate game of six major factors

The choice of "Death" is by no means a temporary impulse, but a delicate trade-off of multiple factors:

1 Renewal guarantee: Durant's team clearly refuses to be a "one-year mercenary." If the contract is renewed 6 months after the transaction, he can sign a pension contract of up to 2 years and $124 million.

2 Champions League Possibility: Durant always regards the championship as his primary goal. The Spurs' young core + his experience may have more room for improvement than the Timberwolves (Edwards + Gobert/Downs).

3 Tactical Status: Durant needs to balance his personal performance (still hope to maintain an average of 25+ shots per game) with team role changes. In the Spurs system, he may replicate James' off-ball transformation with the Lakers (42% off-ball in 2024).

4 Emotional Factors: Durant has a special relationship with the Texas team, and the warm climate is also in line with his preferences. More importantly, the opportunity to work with Popovich is extremely tempting.

5 Time node: The player options end on June 15, the draft on June 22 (the critical period for trading chips), and the free market will open on July 1 - each node may change the situation.

6 Chain Reaction: Durant's decision will trigger a domino effect - which may prompt the Clippers to form a new Big Three, or accelerate the complete reconstruction of the Suns. Countdown begins: An auction that changes the league

Durant is currently silent, waiting and watching alone in the Phoenix mansion. Insiders described: "He is like watching an auction about himself, but he has not decided whether to raise the sign."

The Spurs have shown their trump card, but the Timberwolves are still eyeing him.. Edwards' "idol offensive" cannot be underestimated - this Timberwolves star regarded Durant as an idol since childhood. The experience of the American men's basketball team fighting side by side last year further catalyzed the relationship between master and apprentice. The Timberwolves have an odds advantage of +250, but they need to solve the problem of overlapping functions between Durant and Edwards. The

draft (June 22) may become the moment of decision. If the Spurs are willing to add more first-round picks to the trade, or even risk giving out Wenban Yama (the probability is extremely low), the situation may reverse instantly.

—

When Durant finally makes a choice, whether he wears the silver and black robe or the Timberwolves' deep blue, the 2025 offseason deal is destined to be in history. Once the Spurs' big bet is successful, Durant and Vinban Yama's "Death + Alien" combination will sweep the league. Under the situation of the Western heroes competing for hegemony, a sleeping dynasty team is quietly awakening - San Antonio's revival plan is only the last championship puzzle.

Next stop: Championship?