Giannis just reminded the Rockets why trading Kevin Durant would be risky

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was recently asked who the toughest player he has ever guarded in the NBA is. His answer was Kevin Durant.

“The toughest player has to be KD,” Antetokounmpo said. “Great talent. Probably the best scorer of all time.”

High praise for one of the best of all time

It is not hard to understand why Durant was Antetokounmpo’s answer. Antetokounmpo’s rookie season came the same year Durant won MVP by averaging 32.0 points per game on ridiculous efficiency. Durant was already one of the most impossible covers in basketball, and his game has aged better than almost anyone could have expected. 

Durant is a near seven-footer with the speed, ball-handling ability and shooting touch of a guard. Even in his age-37 season, he made Second Team All-NBA and averaged 26.0 points per game. 

That praise carries even more weight considering who it came from. Antetokounmpo has earned five All-Defense selections and won Defensive Player of the Year. He spent his career guarding some of the greatest players of this era, including LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. 

For him to single out Durant says a lot about how difficult Durant is to guard.

Rockets should only move Durant for a massive offer 

There has been some discussion about whether Houston should consider trading Durant this offseason after a disappointing playoff finish. It is not a ridiculous conversation. Durant is nearing the end of his career and Houston’s front office could recoup some value for Durant before his level of play drops off. 

At the same time, quotes like Antetokounmpo’s are a reminder of what the Rockets still have. The players who have actually had to guard him still view him as one of the most difficult matchups in basketball. Houston may be able to find a younger player, but it would be almost impossible to find someone as talented as Durant.

The main reason to consider trading Durant would be if the front office believed he could not replicate his production from last season. Durant has given them no reason to believe that is true. Short of a true godfather offer, Houston should hold onto one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow