Rockets are giving Kevin Durant the gift that the Suns took from him

The Houston Rockets are giving Kevin Durant a chance to chase his third championship and enhance his legacy after the Suns robbed him of it for the last two years. Phoenix missed the playoffs entirely in 2025 and was swept by the Timberwolves in the opening round in 2024. They had talent, but were never serious contenders. Now, KD is on the reigning number two seed in the West and immediately solves their biggest problem.

The 37-year-old is already a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest to ever do it, but he reaches a new stratosphere with a third ring. He won the first two in Golden State, playing next to Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. This time, he would be the unquestioned alpha and just the 84th player in NBA history to win three titles. Durant is eighth all-time in scoring and strengthens his case as a top ten payer with a third title.

The Rockets are already seeing benefits from having KD, and this gift is something the aging superstar deserves. Durant isn’t thinking about a ring, but he is ready to help this young team take the next step. Houston has the talent, and Durant may just be the final piece they needed.

Rockets have Kevin Durant back in serious title contention

Fred VanVleet’s devastating knee injury is an early setback for the Rockets, but it won’t derail them. They are one of the deepest and most versatile rosters in the NBA. Head coach Ime Udoka can play four players who are 6’11 or taller in the same lineup. Add in Amen Thompson at point guard to make one of the largest lineups fans have ever seen. Their talent and versatility allow for tons of experimentation like this.

The Rockets struggled on offense last season, especially in their first-round playoff loss to the Warriors. Durant solves those issues. He can score from anywhere and is devastating with or without the ball in his hands.

Both sides are already benefitting from this deal, and that's why the 15-time All-Star wants a contract extension. The Rockets give him a shot to finish his career on a title contender, and Durant offers Houston an elite bucket-getter who doesn’t dominate the ball.

It will be interesting to see how coach Udoka uses Durant. He could weaponize KD to score 30 every night or make him more of a gravity puller that knocks in 25 with his teammates getting easier looks. Either way, the Slim Reaper will turn around the Rockets' offense immediately.

The Suns were going nowhere. Bradley Beal’s nightmare contract was dragging them down, and Phoenix mortgaged all of their draft capital to get three stars. The only place to go was further down. Durant didn’t want to be traded before the deadline, but his days of competing for a title were over if he finished his career in the Valley.

The Houston Rockets are a young team that just made the playoffs. They got Durant at a bargain price and are ready to let him lead the franchise on a deep playoff run. Expect to see KD more energized with a serious shot at contention. It truly is a gift that was snatched from Durant by mismanagement in Phoenix. Things are different now, and everyone is excited to see how it plays out.