The Houston Rockets were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, May 4.
Ime Udoka’s inexperienced team did well to take the Warriors to a Game 7, where Buddy Hield’s sensational 33-point performance was the difference.
The Rockets will now look ahead to the offseason, with a blockbuster trade seemingly on the cards.
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins thinks they should make a move for one of Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsKendrick Perkins picks between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant for Houston Rockets
The Rockets have lots of talented players and draft capital, so they can easily trade for almost any player in the NBA.
Many expect Antetokounmpo to want out of Milwaukee after the Bucks lost in five games to the Indiana Pacers and Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles injury.
Durant is also likely to be on a new team next season, as the Phoenix Suns’ experiment with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal has failed.
Perkins has picked which superstar the Rockets should go all out for to level up as a contender for the 2026 NBA championship.
“They need a closer. I tried to defend Jalen Green. I mean, I think his future is bright, but it just doesn’t need to be with the Rockets. They have a lot of attractive pieces.
“If I’m the Rockets, I’ve got to address the issue of shooting and a closer, and I’m going after Kevin Durant. I’ll package up Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr, and some draft picks, and go out and get KD.
“Not Giannis but Kevin Durant, and you pair him alongside Amen Thompson, [Alperen] Sengun, and Fred VanVleet. You keep Steven Adams, and now you’re rocking with something.
“They just didn’t have enough offensive firepower tonight, especially when the Warriors locked in on Fred VanVleet, who had been giving them work after the last three games.”
Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty ImagesHouston Rockets shouldn’t give up many assets for Kevin Durant
Durant would immediately transform the Rockets into leading contenders in the Western Conference because he solves their biggest problem.
Udoka’s team are superb defensively, which keeps them in games, but they often lack the offensive firepower to get over the line.
Durant is obviously one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and, even at 36 years of age, is still capable of putting up 25 points per game.
However, his age is important because he won’t be at this level for long. At best, he’ll be an All-Star caliber player for two or three more seasons.
That’s why the Rockets must be careful not to give up too much in a trade with Phoenix. A few young players, like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, and Reed Sheppard, should be more than enough.