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[Saba Sports News] Kevin Durant might be eyeing a return to his Texas roots.
In his latest Sports Illustrated mailbag, Chris Mannix floated the idea that the Phoenix Suns star could be targeting the Houston Rockets as a potential destination this offseason. While Mannix clarified that it’s just his opinion, he believes the interest is real.
“I think if the Rockets wanted Durant before the trade deadline, it would have happened,” Mannix wrote. “Durant has a lot of respect for [head coach] Ime Udoka, and in Houston he could be a missing piece to a title contender. I’d keep an eye on that after this season.”
Durant, 35, starred in college at the University of Texas and may be intrigued by the idea of finishing his career near where it all began. The Rockets certainly qualify as a rising contender—they’re currently 45-25 and sit second in the Western Conference.
Houston also happens to have several familiar faces on the roster. Veterans like Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, David Roddy, and Jock Landale have all shared locker rooms with Durant at different points in his career.
The Suns are expected to set a high asking price for Durant in any trade talks this summer. But if the Rockets were to offer a package centered around young talents like Jalen Greenand Jabari Smith Jr., along with a vet like Dillon Brooks and some draft capital—while keeping their core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason intact—it could be enough to get Phoenix’s attention.
Whether Durant truly has Houston circled remains to be seen—but with the ties, the talent, and the timing, the fit is hard to ignore.