Rockets Risk It All In Major Trade For Aging Superstar Durant

The Houston Rockets have pulled off a trade that will go down in history as either one of the greatest moments, or one of the franchise's biggest failure. There's really not a middle ground to this one.

The Rockets made the decision to add one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Kevin Durant. Which sounds like an absolute win on the surface, but then you have to consider Durant will be 37-years-old next season. He's going into the last year of his contact, which means this could be a one-year shot at a championship.

What Did Houston Give Up For Kevin Durant?

To bring Durant in, Houston had to execute a deal with the Phoenix Suns. Looking at what the Rockets gave up for Durant, might end up as a mortgage on their future for this one run at glory.

In order to get the aging superstar, the Rockets gave up former #2 overall pick Jalen Green, former NBA All-Defensive team member Dillon Brooks, this year's #10 overall pick, and five future 2nd round draft picks. Which is a huge haul for the Suns.

Did Houston Give Up Too Much For Durant?

The Suns are getting a player who has averaged about 20 points a game for the last three seasons in Green. A defensive star in Brooks, and numerous draft picks. One of those picks will be a top 10 pick in what some consider to be the deepest NBA Draft in a long time (this year's draft). Honestly, this package could fundamentally change the Suns for the next decade.

While the Rockets will have a shot at a title next year. Durant will have Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and multiple other strong pieces on the 2025-2026 roster. This is a team that had the second-best record in the Western Conference last season. Adding Durant makes them better right away.

Did The Houston Rockets Mortgage Their Future For Durant?

The concern comes in the year after. Then the year after that, and the year after that. When the team would be bringing their top 10 pick from this year along, and would be looking to fill out a roster with 2nd round picks, or pairing them in trades to move up in drafts. Houston will be left without some heavy resources over the next few seasons, after Durant is gone.

But if they win...if the Rockets win an NBA Championship...most fans would tell you that they would take that if it meant that their next 5 seasons were all non-playoff years.