Durant trade looks different after breakout Summer League from former lottery pick

It has been just over a year since the Kevin Durant trade that brought the future Hall of Famer to Houston. At the time, it looked like an absolute steal for the Rockets. They were able to move on from Jalen Green's contract while acquiring one of the greatest players in NBA history.

However, a year later, the trade does not look quite as clear-cut as it once did. Durant is aging, Dillon Brooks has become a building block for Phoenix, while the most intriguing development has been 2025 No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach, who dominated this year's Summer League.

Reminder of the Durant trade

The full Durant trade was a convoluted seven-team deal, but the simplified version is this:

Maluach fits Houston's timeline better than Durant

Durant is still unquestionably the best player involved in the trade, but after last season, there have been plenty of questions about how he fits with this Rockets core. He is entering his age-38 season, while Houston is built around Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. All of those players are 25 or younger.

Would Houston have been better off keeping its draft assets and adding a player like Maluach instead? Although Maluach had a difficult rookie season, he was always viewed as a raw prospect who would need time to develop.

Maluach has broken out in Summer League

Last season, Maluach averaged an uninspiring 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in fewer than 10 minutes per game. It appears a year of development has done wonders. This Summer League, he has averaged 19.5 points while leading the league in rebounding. Seeing that type of growth is exactly what Summer League is all about.

Maluach, who is still just 19 years old, could have fit well alongside Alperen Sengun. Sengun's biggest weakness comes on the defensive end, where his lack of athleticism limits his ability to protect the rim and defend in space. Maluach is a mobile defender who could have helped cover those weaknesses. The offensive fit is more questionable, but Ime Udoka's Rockets have consistently prioritized defense.

There is no doubt Durant gives Houston a better chance to win over the next couple of seasons, but giving up valuable draft assets to acquire a win-now veteran could hurt the Rockets in the long run. Maluach could have developed alongside the rest of Houston's young core and helped extend the team's championship window.

There is no sense living in a hypothetical. Even after Maluach's Summer League breakout, the Rockets should remain focused on winning with their Durant-led roster. That is the path they chose.

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