On Sunday, the Houston Rockets celebrated the completion of their megatrade for Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. This accomplishment truly is the high water mark of a convoluted and confusing seven-team deal. This trade adds a 15-time All-Star, two-time Finals MVP, and future Hall of Famer to the Houston rotation, enhancing an already riveting core of the Rockets. General Manager Rafael Stone provided commentary on his excitement over the acquisition of Durant, noting the player’s tremendous upside and experience.
39-year-old Kevin Durant will turn 37 this September. He is now one of only eight players in NBA history to cross the 30,000 point benchmark. Over his storied career, he’s kept an incredible average of 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game as well. He scored 26.6 points per game last season. He snared six rebounds, indicating his potential to affect games in a big way.
When you take a look at Durant’s achievements, it’s really kind of staggering. He is a four-time scoring champion and won NBA championships in 2017 and 2018 with the Golden State Warriors. His experience and skill set are poised to provide invaluable support to a Houston Rockets team that made significant strides last season, earning the second seed in the Western Conference.
Rafael Stone, the current GM of the Rockets, described the addition of a player of Durant’s level to the Rockets as transformative. He stated, “The speed at which he goes, not in a game … but the speed at which he practices and the intensity at which he practices is something that has made him great over the years, and it started when he was very young.” This statement alone highlights Durant’s pursuit of excellence and work ethic, traits we hope to often see rubbing off on his young and rawer teammates.
On the surface Durant will improve the Rockets’ competitiveness on the court immensely. In short, he’ll provide superior leadership and mentorship to almost all the young players on the roster. Stone further praised Durant, saying, “He’s a wonderful combination of talent and work ethic along with being just a great human being.” This recognition goes to show just how well respected Durant is around the entire league and among his fellow players.
One thing is certain — the Rockets can’t wait to build off their newfound momentum. Bringing in Kevin Durant is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they just can’t afford to miss. His veteran experience and track record of success make him especially effective in high-pressure situations. They’ll be even more important as the team continues to work to compete for a title in the seasons ahead.
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