Durant joins the Rockets best, the Rockets are originally a super strong team, he is stronger
On June 18, news that Durant left the Suns continued to ferment in the NBA circle, and the future of the four-time scoring champion has become one of the most attention-grabbing spots in the free market this summer. Although the Suns management has publicly expressed their desire to retain Durant on many occasions, multiple sources have confirmed that the differences between the two sides on the concept of team building are difficult to bridge. From tactical system to lineup configuration, Durant gradually lost confidence in the Suns' prospects for championships, and the Suns are unwilling to overdraw future draft picks for a 35-year-old veteran. This contradiction broke out after being eliminated by the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs, and Durant's team has clearly submitted a deal application to the Suns.
Looking at the salary structure and lineup needs of each team in the league, the Houston Rockets are indeed Durant's ideal next stop. The Rockets ranked ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses last season. Although they failed to make the playoffs, the growth of the young core was surprising. Jaylen Green's average performance of 24.3 points per game proves that he has All-Star potential. Shin Kyung's ability to respond in the inside makes the team's offense more three-dimensional, while Jabbarry Smith's defensive coverage area perfectly meets the space needs of modern basketball. The biggest shortcoming of this young lineup is the superstar who lacks the finale at critical moments - this is the role Durant can perfectly fill.
From the perspective of tactical adaptability, the system of Rockets coach Uduka and Durant's technical characteristics are a perfect match. The "five foreign lineup" created by Uduka during the Celtics emphasizes space utilization and unlimited defense switching, which is highly consistent with Durant's offensive range and indiscriminate singles ability. Data shows that when Durant served as the fifth position of the small lineup, his real shooting percentage was as high as 67.3%, far exceeding the average level of the league's same position. In the Rockets' existing lineup, Tate and Ethan's defensive hardness can minimize Durant's defensive pressure, while Van Vleet's organizational ability can liberate Durant's offensive firepower. This complementarity is rare in championship teams. The flexibility of the cap space is the Rockets' biggest competitive advantage. With Gordon's contract expiration, the Rockets have more than 30 million in cap space this summer, and can completely take over Durant's maximum salary contract without touching the core lineup. In contrast, the Heat need to sign and then exchange to clear the space, while the Sixers have to sacrifice young assets such as Maxi. More importantly, the Rockets hold the Nets' first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, and these draft picks can be used as bargaining chips without breaking up the existing lineup. Bobby Max, a famous NBA analyst, specifically pointed out in the program: "The Rockets are one of the few trading objects that can provide high-quality chips without affecting their combat effectiveness. "
Analyzing from the championship window period, the Rockets' timing is accurate. The core lineup of the Western Conference Warriors and Lakers is seriously aging, the Nuggets are facing a salary explosion crisis, while young troops such as the Thunder and Pelicans are still immature. If Durant joins the Rockets, he will immediately form the Big Three framework of "Durant + Green + Shen Jing". This combination has both scoring explosiveness, organizational ability and defensive resilience. ESPN's championship probability model shows that the Rockets, which own Durant, will soar from 3% to 18% next season, second only to the Celtics' 22%. This immediate improvement effect is difficult for other suitors to achieve.
Of course, Durant's joining the Rockets also faces certain challenges. The fierce competitive environment in the West requires him to maintain high attendance, and the lack of playoff experience for young Rockets players may become a hidden danger. But throughout history, there are many cases of superstars winning the championship in the first year of transfer - James' joining the Lakers in 2020 is the best example. Durant himself recently admitted on a podcast show: "I only care about where to maximize my chances of winning the championship, and everything else is secondary to consider." This statement has been widely interpreted as recognition of the Rockets' lineup.
From the perspective of business value, Houston's huge Asian market can bring considerable over-the-counter revenue to Durant. The Rockets' deep connection with the Chinese market makes Durant's personal brand hope to gain a broader promotion platform. It is worth noting that Durant's company Thirty Five Ventures has recently set up an office in Houston, and this rainy-term business layout may suggest some possibilities.
Overall, the Rockets are indeed Durant's most ideal destination. Here we have a vibrant young core, a head coach with advanced tactical concepts, a flexible salary structure, and a clear path to the championship. Compared to returning to the Warriors' nostalgia or the difficult operation of joining the Heat, the Rockets provide the choice with the least risk and the greatest benefits. As Durant’s former teammate Iguodala said: "When the superstar’s choice is only the basketball itself, the answer is often the simplest." Perhaps in the Toyota Center Arena next season, we can witness a new chapter in the death of waving the sickle.
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