Overview

• The record seven-team trade delivered Kevin Durant and Clint Capela to Houston at the cost of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick Khaman Maluach and five second-round selections.
• Houston supplemented the move by adding Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie and retaining Steven Adams, deepening a frontcourt built around Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr.
• NBA analysts, including The Athletic’s David Aldridge, ranked the Rockets’ offseason No. 1 and placed the team firmly in the championship conversation.
• Durant enters the season on a $54.7 million expiring contract, and multiple reports indicate extension talks have not yielded a max commitment as the Rockets emphasize cap flexibility.
• Observers say Durant directly addresses Houston’s halfcourt scoring weakness, though there are concerns about defensive cohesion after Brooks’ departure and the impact on young players’ roles.