Kevin Durant says the quiet part out loud about the Rockets' budding chemistry

As the Houston Rockets enter the 2025-26 NBA season, almost everyone on the team will need to conform to a new set of responsibilities given the team's acquisition of superstar scorer Kevin Durant and their loss of starting point guard Fred VanVleet.

Yet, early in training camp, Durant has already been impressed by the team's ability to communicate with one another, and, if Durant's comments prove true, the team could quickly reassemble itself into contenders once the season begins.

Whenever any team acquires a player of Durant's caliber, there will always be questions surrounding their ability to alter their scheme and their play-style around that player's gravity, but the Rockets, insofar as they are versatile within their rotations, are also well-poised to make this change quickly.

Kevin Durant has been impressed by the team's chemistry so far

When head coach Ime Udoka and Houston's front office were given the opportunity to trade for Durant, they knew it was the one move that could immediately propel them into championship contention. Last season, through 62 games with the Phoenix Suns, Durant still put up superstar numbers, averaging 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 43% from beyond the arc.

Now, in entering an exceedingly unique situation given how young the Rockets' budding core is, Durant seems pleased with what he has seen so far: "I feel like they were always a connected group... I felt like they were always on the same page, as opponents. But being around them, it’s even more so. Everybody is trying to get a feel for each other, and it’s been a good three days."

Over the course of Houston's rebuild, their ability to construct a hard-nosed defensive identity around players like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. has been received with heaps of praise around the NBA.

Yet, in acquiring Durant, there is always a chance that the change to the team's pecking order result in some growing pains, especially given the touches that Durant will necessitate as the team's go-to scorer.

Nevertheless, if Durant can conform quickly into the team's system, as he has stated he is more than willing to do, Udoka can mold the team to his will yet again, setting the team up for early season success.

Connectedness will be the key to any chance the Rockets have at making a championship run this season, with each player adjusting to his role accordingly, and, if Durant is impressed so far, this is an excellent sign for what this team can become as the season begins.