Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets face elimination, trailing 3-1 of their first-round collection in opposition to the LA Lakers. The Rockets dropped the primary three video games of the collection earlier than a dominant 115-96 Sport 4 win on Sunday.
Durant is at present coping with an ankle harm and will reportedly miss Sport 5 on Wednesday. Many analysts have speculated that he could have already performed his closing sport in a Rockets uniform.
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In keeping with The Ringer’s Michael Peña on Monday, there may very well be vital offseason adjustments in Houston following its playoff elimination.
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“Now seismic selections lie forward, and actually no job is secure,” Peña wrote. “No participant is untradable, no coach unexpendable.”
The Rockets entered the season with large championship expectations, as they added Durant to final season’s core. Nonetheless, no staff has got here again from a 3-0 deficit to win a collection.
Listed here are 5 potential locations for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
5 commerce locations for Kevin Durant as Rockets brace for potential offseason adjustments
#1 Miami Warmth
Earlier than the Houston Rockets’ blockbuster commerce final offseason, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Miami Warmth have been certainly one of Kevin Durant’s most well-liked locations. The Warmth might construct a championship contender across the core of Durant, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Miami additionally has a number of future draft picks and tradeable belongings that might make a cope with Houston attainable.
#2 San Antonio Spurs
Along with Miami, the San Antonio Spurs have been reported amongst Durant’s most well-liked touchdown spots. Buying Durant would raise the Spurs to the favorites to win the championship subsequent season. He additionally brings a veteran locker room presence to the younger core led by Victor Wembanyama.
#3 New York Knicks
There have been rumors concerning the New York Knicks’ potential curiosity in buying a big-name star. Ought to New York be eradicated early within the playoffs, the conversations round buying and selling for a famous person can be re-ignited. The Knicks might look into buying and selling for Durant, who might type a lethal tandem with Jalen Brunson.
#4 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves might probably look into including Durant to an already formidable roster led by Anthony Edwards. Durant provides a scoring punch to Minnesota, which already has a number of defensive-minded gamers.
Nonetheless, it’s unclear what Houston may search in a possible Durant commerce. A 3rd and fourth staff may also be wanted in a Timberwolves-Rockets commerce, as Minnesota lacks engaging belongings and suppleness.
#5 Golden State Warriors
Following their disappointing 2025-26 season, the way forward for the Golden State Warriors has been broadly speculated. The Warriors might look into re-acquiring Durant for presumably a closing run with their ageing stars, Steph Curry and Draymond Inexperienced. Durant, who helped Golden State win back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, remains to be conversant in the Warriors’ system.
The 16-time NBA All-Star will make $43.9 million subsequent season and has a $46.1 million participant possibility for 2027-28.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
