Durant trade countdown: Can Rockets Soha reshape the NBA championship competition?

As the NBA draft is coming in less than two weeks, the recent trading news about Durant is really the same every day, and the popularity is rising. Suns' team reporter John Gambadoro said that the KD deal will be completed next week, and maybe there will be a result when the finals are still playing. Think about it, as the "top fish" in the offseason transfer market, where Durant went has made the fans feel very upset. Now Antetokounmpo is basically sure to stay in Milwaukee, and the Bucks don’t plan to leave. In this way, Durant’s next home will become the key to deciding the NBA championship game in the new season - whoever gets him will be like having more king bombs in his hands.

Durant is 37 years old, and his career is almost the second half, but don't say that a veteran has the foundation of a veteran, he is still the best scorer in the league. In the regular season of the 2024-25 season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, ranking sixth in the scoring list. Having this data at this age is simply "a lean camel is bigger than a horse." Now his goal of playing is also very clear, which is to win the third championship in his career - since he left the Warriors, he has not tasted the taste of success, and he must have a strong heart in his heart to prove himself. So, the team he is going to must be a strong team at the playoff level, and the scope has been greatly reduced at once.

And Durant's annual salary next season is more than US$50 million, so how can the rebuilt teams be willing to take him as their core? His role is like Leonard in 2019, and he is a "mercenary" type. It is okay to help the team win the championship in the short term, but if you are uncomfortable in the team, you may leave at any time. This "plug and play" attribute is a double-edged sword for the championship team. If you use it well, you will be guaranteed to win the championship. If you don't use it well, you will lose your hands.

John Gambadoro also broke the news that the Suns and the Rockets were discussing a deal, and no matter how they talked, the Suns had to ask Jaylen Green and Jabbarri Smith Jr., and Shin Kyung and Amen Thompson didn't mention it at all. This is good news for fans of the Rockets and Houston? Look at the idea of ​​the Suns General Manager Jones, obviously, he still values ​​offense - Green and Xiao Jia are both good at offense, but defense is almost meaningful. But Rockets coach Uduka is different. He likes players who are all-round offense and defense. If he is too serious, he has to sit on the bench at critical moments. Look at Jaylen Green and Jabbarry Smith Jr., there have been cases where they were abandoned at the decisive moments before. If they really go to the Suns, they will probably have to make up for the defensive class.

Speaking of the Rockets' current core, Shen Jing is definitely the number one, and Uduka trusts him so much. In this year's playoffs, Shin Jing averaged 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He is called "Little Jokic". This data and all-round play are really similar to Jokic. There is also Amen Thompson, who is only 22 years old, averages 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks in the playoffs, can attack, defense, run and jump, it is simply an uncrafted piece of uncensored jade. He is just one step away from a stable long-range shot now. If he makes up for this shortcoming, he will definitely be the All-Star material in the future - this age and potential, who wouldn't be jealous of it?

NBA reporter Shams said that there are five teams competing for Durant now, and the Rockets are the ones that lead the way. Moreover, KD seems to be more inclined to join Texas teams, and the Rockets and the Spurs have the greatest chance of seeing this. But the Spurs are quite stingy, so they are willing to draw Vassel, Barnes and the 14th pick in the first round, and no matter how many more they are, they won't give it. The Rockets are different. In addition to a bunch of young stars, there are also several first-round draft picks. Rookies like Whitmore and Shepard have great potential. The key to this matter now is Uduka - if he says "I want Durant" to the management, General Manager Stone will be sure to be "shuha". The Rockets will be amazing by then, and next season may be the biggest favorite to compete for the championship.

But then again, if the Rockets really put both young players and draft picks in for Durant, would it be worth it? Durant can indeed improve his immediate combat power, but he is 37 years old after all, and only one year left in the contract. If he doesn't play, the Rockets will lose a lot. Moreover, it is the time when young people like Shin Kyung and Amen Thompson are getting better. They keep them in the team and train them slowly. Maybe they can support the sky in the future - whether this is to "the glory of the present" or "the hope of the future" is really a tangled question. You said if it were you, what would you choose?

Breaking article title: Durant's trading countdown: Can Rockets Saha reshape the NBA championship pattern?