Kevin Durant can accomplish feat no NBA star ever has after Rockets trade

The Houston Rockets have acquired Kevin Durant. He joins a long list of all-time great players to suit up for the organization.

Moses Malone. Calvin Murphy. Elvin Hayes. Ralph Sampson. Hakeem Olajuwon. Yao Ming. Tracy McGrady. James Harden. Now, you can add Durant to that list.

His historical stature compares to that of anyone on the list. That said, Durant is 36. He's still a top-15ish player, but the Rockets are not acquiring the Kevin Durant who has given them fits since Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady donned Rockets red.

What level is Durant at? He's declined, but only barely. Could 2025-26 be the year that he shows more substantial signs of wear and tear?

If it isn't, he could make history in Space City.

Rockets' newest acquisition has a unique opportunity

No player in NBA history has made an All-NBA team with five different organizations. Durant could be the first.

Durant earned that distinction with the Thunder, Warriors, Nets, and Suns. The Rockets are his fifth NBA home. So, let's frame this in. different context:

A pessimist might say that the Rockets could be the first team Durant doesn't earn an All-NBA nod playing for.

As he enters his age-37 season, that's a real possibility. It won't be an easy road:

Can Durant make his way to another All-NBA selection?

Rockets must prioritize Durant in different ways

If anything holds him back, it could be the league's games played criterion.

A player needs to suit up 65 times to qualify for an individual award. That could be an obstacle. The Rockets may be wise to manage Durant's minutes. They'll need him fresh for the postseason. That ought to be a bigger priority than positioning Durant to earn All-NBA honors.

By contrast, the Rockets can afford to manage Durant's minutes because of their impressive depth. Perhaps that's a point in favor of Durant's All-NBA case. He should thrive with such a unique group of talent around him.

Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. will lighten his defensive burden. Less responsibility on that end of the floor could mean increased durability for Durant. Moreover, he's never played with a playmaking big like Alperen Sengun. That should help him maintain his current numbers as well.

Time will tell how the Rockets manage Durant. If they're more inclined to rest him during games he technically suited up for, he could see 65 games worth of action. Ultimately, it's likely not important to the player or the organization:

But Durant making an All-NBA team would be historic.