Rockets biggest Kevin Durant worry won’t be gone anytime soon

As the Houston Rockets attempt to mount a title run with superstar-caliber scorer Kevin Durant on the roster, the marriage seems rather serendipitous for now, with both parties offering each other the opportunity to define their legacy over the next couple of seasons.

Yet, according to Bill Simmons on a recent episode of his podcast, there is always still the justifiable worry that this stop, like his tenures with every other team he's played for, could end in disaster, leaving the Rockets in a disastrous position as they try to reshape their young core.

Trading for Durant certainly represents a gamble on Houston's part, accelerating their timeline and amping up the urgency for a deep playoff run, and, if it fails to pay off, the team could be looking at yet another reset as their young core enters its prime.

There is a world in which Kevin Durant's Rockets tenure ends in disaster

Houston, undoubtedly, needed an offensive boost to get over the hump toward championship contention, and Durant provides exactly that. Through 62 games with the Phoenix Suns last season, he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 43% from beyond the arc, and, even at age 37, he still remains one of the most lethal and effective scorers in the NBA.

Yet, there is also the looming reality of his upcoming contract extension, and, until the ink is dry, the fact that he only has one year left on his deal should be a cause of anxiety for Houston.

According to Simmons, if you look back at Durant's career, the precedent is not good for how he has handled the end of his tenure with his various organizations: "I think he's the surest [scorer] we've ever had at the forward postion, and yet there's all the other stuff... How unhappy the Phoenix thing was, how unhappy the Brooklyn thing became. 2016, [Oklahoma City], up 3-1 in that series, blowing it. 2014, not being able to get over the hump."

As gifted as Durant is, his legacy in the NBA is complicated to say the least. Since he left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors, going on to win two Finals MVPs in The Bay, fans have debated his loyalty to his various organizations, and, now that both his tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and the Suns have ended poorly, these critics have even more fuel to add to the fire.

The reality is that, if Houston is able to put together a deep playoff run this year, it would be surprising if Durant does not resign with the team and play out the rest of his career here. Yet, with a player like Durant, the worry is always present that it does not play out that way, and it begs a serious question. What happens if Durant becomes unhappy with the Rockets?

While it does not appear to be a likely scenario, these anxieties will be present until Durant signs an extension to stay in Houston.