Rockets predicted to go all-in for $347M NBA champion, 9-time All-Star to pair with Kevin Durant

Rockets predicted to go all-in for $347M NBA champion, 9-time All-Star to pair with Kevin Durant originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Houston Rockets are in a very interesting position with what they want to do with the organization. They have young talent that they can contend with in the near future, but they also have Kevin Durant, who wants to win now.

Durant is a future Hall of Famer, and there is no doubt about that. However, this summer, he was not untouchable in trade discussions.

“Whether or not the Rockets look to continue their partnership with Durant is the big question at large, especially since they don’t view him as an “untouchable” talent in trade talks on their roster. Houston viewed the opportunity to acquire Durant as a way to upgrade from Jalen Green and bridge the gaps in their lineup to contend in the West, but by no means was this addition viewed as a long-term commitment,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.

Instead of trading Durant, they could add alongside him. USA Today’s Wajih AlBaroudi believes Houston could trade for his former teammate Kyrie Irving.

“Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL just before the 2025-26 season derailed what could’ve been a special season for the Rockets, who have become a defensive juggernaut under Ime Udoka. Irving would provide the Rockets some much-needed scoring punch, plus Houston has an array of defenders to cover up Irving’s deficiencies on that end,” AlBaroudi wrote.

Irving’s future is on the fence with the Dallas Mavericks. If the first couple of games go bad, he very well could be traded.

“The Mavericks, as we’ve been writing since mid-June, have consistently swatted away trade interest this offseason in nine-times-an-All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Rival teams, however, continue to wonder aloud about how firmly Dallas will stick to that stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 gradually approaches. The primary factor fueling that curiosity, of course, is that fact that Irving is 34 and Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is 19. Not your average age gap between the team’s two best players,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote.

This would give Durant and Irving the opportunity to win the NBA championship that they never were able to win in Brooklyn. The duo would be great together once again, as it has already been proven.

Irving has made $347 million throughout his great career. The nine-time All-Star would bring even more buzz to the city of Houston. Most importantly, the Rockets would become serious title contenders.

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