The Houston Rockets’ biggest need heading into offseason couldn’t be more clear

The Houston Rockets’ biggest need heading into offseason couldn’t be more clear

Despite being eliminated in seven games by the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets’ future is bright. They won 52 games this year, have a couple of building blocks in Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, a tough, defensive-minded culture and veteran leadership.

But amid their first-round exit, there is a glaring need that could put them over the top in a very deep Western Conference.

The Houston Rockets need perimeter scoring. Paging, Kevin Durant:

The Rockets finished the 2024-25 season with 52 wins, their most since 2018-19, and the second seed in the Western Conference. However, they ran into a bad matchup with the Golden State Warriors, who had the league’s best defense post-All-Star break, spearheaded by Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

The Rockets were fortunate to force seven games, but could not close it out on their home floor. Golden State used a 21-6 fourth-quarter run to secure a 103-89 victory Sunday night.

Houston, who finished with the league’s 12th-best offense and fifth-best defense, shot just 6-of-18 from 3-point range in the loss, an issue that plagued them in losses throughout the season. It posted the 10th-worst 3-point percentage with the 10th-fewest triples attempted per 100 possessions, revealing a clear need for perimeter scoring.

Enter Kevin Durant.

The worst-kept secret in the NBA is that his days in Phoenix are numbered.

He’s not in his prime, but the 36-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7 percent shooting, including 43.0 percent from 3-point range and 83.9 percent from the free-throw line in 62 games. He’s not eligible to make an All-NBA team, but Durant played at an All-NBA level for a Phoenix Suns team that was an unmitigated disaster throughout 2024-25.

Durant will also be entering the final year of his deal at $54.7 million. He will extension-eligible this offseason, but his expiring contract will almost certainly make him a more desirable asset not only for the Rockets–but around the NBA.

Most of all, Houston has the assets. The Rockets have expiring contracts in Fred VanVleet ($44.9 million), Jabari Smith Jr. ($12.4 million) and Tari Eason ($5.7 million), according to Spotrac; they have young players (including Smith, Eason) in Jalen Green, Thompson, Sengun, Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore; and workable contracts in Aaron Holiday and Jock Landale.

They also have draft capital, including three of Phoenix’s first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029. If the Suns were looking to pivot, why would they not be incentivized to secure their own picks for the future in the off-chance they’re still bad? Why would the Rockets also not be incentivized to acquire a player that could put them immediately in the realm of contention–a bar they’re not quite at–while alleviating one of their biggest needs?

I think it makes too much sense, but I also understand if the Rockets don’t want to nab a 37-year-old Durant at the latter stages of his career. However, one thing they must address is the need for perimeter scoring in the halfcourt, and who better than one of the best pure scorers the NBA’s ever seen?

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