When the Houston Rockets flipped Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant, they immediately emerged as title contenders.
A lineup of Durant, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Alperen Sengun should be one of the best in the league. Add in Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Clint Capela, and Tari Eason coming off the bench, and the Rockets looked like a juggernaut.
In September, it was reported that VanVleet had torn his ACL and would miss extended time, sending a blow to the Rockets‘ title hopes. Nonetheless, Durant is still excited about the season.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant Is ‘Fired Up’ About Houston Rockets
Durant won two rings with the Golden State Warriors and made the Finals once before that with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since 2018, however, he hasn’t really come close to a title.
In 2021, Durant was an inch away from sending the Brooklyn Nets to the Conference Finals over the Milwaukee Bucks. Even had his foot had been behind the 3-point line, Brooklyn would have had to take on the Atlanta Hawks in the Conference Finals. While they would have been favored, they were still a series away from the Finals.
Durant has not won a playoff series since 2021, but that should change this season, and he has totally bought into his new team.
“He was really fired up,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on the October 3rd episode of the Hoops Collective podcast. Windhorst was referencing Durant’s general demeanor at media day, well after the VanVleet injury news broke.
Despite losing a steady veteran hand and point guard, the Rockets are in a great position for Durant’s first season in Texas.
Kevin Durant Is Bought In For One Reason
Durant has made it no secret that he enjoys being a mentor. Of course, a player of his caliber would prefer to play on a winning team, and being a veteran leader on a squad with other veterans is less of a challenge than being on a rebuilding team.
Durant wants to play for a contender, which limits his ability to lead a young team. The Rockets offer the perfect middle ground.
“He’s always been a guy who loved to get in the gym with younger players and work on their games,” explained Tim Bontempts. “They got Amen Thompson and all, you know, Alperen Sengun, and all these interesting young players, all these guys who are in the gym all the time. It’s got a chance to be an incredible fit for him.”
The young Rockets‘ stars seem to embody Durant’s “basketball first” mentality, and he has a chance to shape a young team and play meaningful, winning basketball. For Durant, Houston is the perfect situation, even after VanVleet’s injury.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Kevin Durant Is ‘Fired Up’ for Houston Rockets’ Season for Key Reason appeared first on Heavy Sports.