Rockets’ potential comeback creates unavoidable Kevin Durant problem

The Houston Rockets are attempting to do the unthinkable: come back from a 3-0 series deficit. No team in NBA history has ever completed that comeback, but after back-to-back wins, the Rockets are suddenly halfway there. What makes the comeback even more surprising is that they have done it while playing essentially the entire series without Kevin Durant.

Durant’s absence could have ended Houston’s season. Instead, it has forced the Rockets’ young core into larger roles. Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason have all increased their scoring compared to the regular season. For Rockets fans, that should be thrilling. Those four, plus Reed Sheppard, are all under 25 years old.

That gives Houston one of the most exciting young foundations in the league. It may also serve as an offseason warning that the Rockets should be careful before trading young assets to build around Durant.

Rockets should not rush into a win-now trade

The Rockets already had one of the best young cores in basketball. The addition of Durant was supposed to give that core the one thing it still lacked: a proven go-to scorer.

Durant is one of the greatest scorers the sport has ever seen, and nothing about Houston’s recent success changes that. But the Rockets’ playoff fight without him does change how the front office should view the roster.

If this young group is good enough to push the Lakers to the brink without Durant, then Houston should think twice before making drastic changes to the roster to fit his timeline. The Rockets may need veteran help, but that does not mean they should sacrifice the young players who are proving they belong in playoff moments.

Regardless of whether the Rockets complete this historic comeback, the offseason will arrive soon. Houston will have to decide if it intends to cash in some of its assets to win now or allow its young core to grow together naturally.

Houston’s young core is making the answer clearer

Houston’s identity under Ime Udoka has been built on defense, physicality, and toughness. The Rockets need to score just enough points while their defense carries them to victory.

Durant still provides Houston with elite shot-making, but he does not embody that defense-first identity. If Houston’s young core is growing into reliable playoff scorers, the front office should think twice before giving up assets to maximize Durant’s window.

That does not mean the Rockets should refuse every trade. If a perfect move becomes available, Houston should listen. But the more the Rockets continue to win without Durant, the harder it becomes to justify an aggressive win-now move. In the meantime, Rockets fans should enjoy a potentially historic comeback.

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