This current iteration of the Houston Rockets holds high expectations for the upcoming NBA season, particularly after trading for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant.
But with the addition of the future Hall of Fame forward, the Rockets got devastating news that point guard Fred VanVleet will likely miss the entire season with a torn ACL. Now, less than two weeks before the start of the season, Houston is without a veteran point guard and playmaker.
While Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard expect to take on ball-handling roles, another player remains an unsigned free agent with the ability to slide into Houston’s point guard role. Speaking with Kay Adams on her show, Durant said he would be open to the possibility of the Rockets signing his former teammate and former MVP, Russell Westbrook.
“Russ is a legend, I think he deserves to be in the NBA right now, and I think he deserves to walk out of the NBA on his terms,” Durant said on Westbrook’s current status and a potential reunion in Houston. “That would be dope.”
Westbrook played last season with the Denver Nuggets, but remains an unrestricted free agent right now. He was linked to the Sacramento Kings, but with the season quickly approaching, he is still not on an active NBA roster.
Potential Westbrook Addition In Houston
While Durant said he did hear rumblings about a potential Westbrook addition in Houston, no deal has been made public yet. Durant clarified that he had heard rumors, but nothing concrete, that his former teammate on the Oklahoma City Thunder would join him on his new squad.
“But, it’s not my decision,” Durant added. “Leaving it up to whoever makes the decisions for now.”
Though he isn’t at the same level he was at when Durant was his teammate in the early to mid-2010s, Westbrook proved valuable in his lone season with the Nuggets. He came off the bench in a majority of his appearances, but was a sparkplug for the second unit on the offensive end of the floor.
Westbrook remains a high-tempo player, and while, like in Denver, he wouldn’t be the main offensive option in Houston, he has experience leading a team and playing alongside Durant.
The Rockets have indicated they will use Thompson and Sheppard as their playmakers to start the season and address the position from there. However, due to the salary cap, Houston has limited options available when it comes to picking up or trading for another point guard.
Westbrook could come in on a minimum salary and potentially offer more than the young players in that role, but for now, he remains unsigned. Despite the Kings’ report and other rumors, Westbrook has been pretty quiet over the summer. He recently announced a brand deal on his Instagram, but besides that, the 2017 MVP has been silent over the summer.
Durant’s First Season With The Rockets
Speaking with Adams, Durant also confirmed he will play his first Rockets game in their preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. He didn’t see any action in their preseason opener versus the Atlanta Hawks, but he will now give fans their first glimpse at him in a Houston uniform.
“Yeah, I am (playing),” Durant said about his status for the game. “And I don’t know how long, though, because it’s preseason… Just get some good run up and down the floor… I want to get that conditioning back, so you know, just check the boxes a little bit.”
Despite being 37, Durant has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA over the past 15 years. Last season with the Phoenix Suns, he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7% shooting. While it wasn’t a successful year for the team, it was Durant’s 16th straight season averaging at least 25 points per game.
According to ESPN, specifically after the VanVleet injury, Durant knows he’ll have a big role leading Houston’s offense. He will have strong teammates around him like Alperen Sengun and Thompson, but he’ll have heightened pressure to help the team score.
“Durant was aware of his changing role in the aftermath of VanVleet’s injury,” Michael C. Wright wrote for ESPN. “Durant won’t do it alone, but the All-Star veteran is naturally the key cog in Houston’s by-committee approach to facilitating offense, according to Udoka.”
Houston was predicted to be a top candidate to make the Finals out of the West, but the VanVleet injury has clouded those hopes. While the team still has a ton of question marks surrounding their roster, Durant isn’t one, and will likely continue his impressive consistency this season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Kevin Durant Offers True Feelings On Russell Westbrook Reunion appeared first on Heavy Sports.