Shocking stat shows a massive new wrinkle in Kevin Durant's role with Rockets

The Houston Rockets have the league's second-best Offensive Rating (121.9) despite their subpar ball movement. So, Kevin Durant's season-best 8 assists on Wednesday meant more than you might think.

It's been a quirk for the entire season. The Rockets have a dominant offense despite being 22nd in Assists Per Game (25.5) and in Passes Per Game (281.4). This is not a team that looks to move the ball, which is often a prerequisite for a dominant offense.

The Rockets are rewriting the rule book. This is perhaps the best offensive rebounding team in NBA history. The Rockets' ability to simply get more shots has separated them from the competition in 2025-26.

That's great, but there are questions about the strategies' playoff sustainability. If the Rockets moved the ball a little more often, they'd have a more dynamic attack.

Arguably, that starts with Durant.

Rockets' Durant needs to share the ball

That's not to say Durant needs to be a lead playmaker. It's not to say he's played selfishly, either.

As a rule, this is Durant's approach - and it works. He wants the best shot for the team. It's just that he's such an efficient scorer that quite often, the best shot is his own.

All that's being suggested here is a moderate change in approach. Durant could look to pass a little more often, and against the Kings, he did.

He threw a couple of beautiful, easy dimes to a cutting Amen Thompson from the baseline. Those sets are effective. The defense is too concerned with containing Durant's jumper to notice a cutting Thompson, and if you didn't know, a cutting Thompson is extremely difficult to stop.

Realistically, that's what the Rockets need to be seeking as the season goes on - easy opportunities. The more ways this offense can put their opponents in a bind, the better.

Should the team overhaul their attack?

Rockets only need to make moderate changes

No. Like Durant, the Rockets in general only need to tinker.

Let's circle back to that 121.9 Offensive Rating. This is working, so why fix it? The Rockets, for the most part, only need to keep doing what they're doing.

A little more playmaking would be nice. That only starts with Durant because he's the leading scorer, and Houston shouldn't expect any more passing from Alperen Sengun, who provides plenty. If an increase in Durant's passing makes the Rockets harder to guard, it'll pay dividends in the playoffs.

The league's second-best offense could get even better.