Rockets grant Kevin Durant a wish he didn’t even make

Kevin Durant (and everyone else) knew an offseason trade was coming after the Suns had discussions with the Warriors before the February deadline. The Houston Rockets were listed as a potential destination, but there was some reluctance on their part about going "all-in" on a 36-year-old (who has since turned 37). It turns out they didn't have to, as the Rockets came out of the deal with the upper hand.

The regular season hasn't started yet, but it's been made clear by Durant that he's exactly where he wants to be. He said at media day that he sees himself signing an extension with the Rockets, as he's entering the final season of his current contract. Houston is a great place for KD to end his legendary career, and he appears to share this sentiment as well.

On the latest episode of the "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective" show, Windhorst, who was at the Rockets' media day, talked about how fired up Durant was. For someone who has been around the NBA and stars like KD for a long time, Windhorst noticed a difference.

Tim Bontemps pointed out how Durant loves to get in the gym with younger players and work on their game, something he gets to do daily with Houston's young talent. Again, it's still early, but KD and the Rockets seem to be a match made in heaven.

Kevin Durant is in the perfect situation with the Rockets

Durant said he wasn't expecting to leave Phoenix so quickly. That was a situation that initially seemed like a good fit, but proved to be otherwise (to no fault of KD's).

Now, he's somewhere he can work alongside players like Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, but also make a run to win his third championship. The Rockets lacked a go-to scorer last season, which was painfully evident in the playoffs, but now they have Durant. He may be 37, but he's still Kevin Durant. Father Time hasn't gotten him yet.

Durant might have thought that he'd end his career with the Suns, but luckily for the Rockets' sake, that didn't happen. He helped orchestrate the trade to Houston, citing his relationship with Ime Udoka as a factor, but it's probably not something he saw in the cards for his future even a year ago. It's a good thing that it happened, though, for both him and the Rockets.