The Houston Rockets made waves in the 2025 offseason by bringing in Kevin Durant, but the perennial All-Star isn’t solely the team’s foundation.

Instead, Durant is simply what the team views as the final piece — a go-to halfcourt scorer — to help lift a team that was already good to the next level.

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Indeed, the 2024-25 Rockets were already at No. 2 in the Western Conference (52-30). Furthermore, the roster features talented young players such as Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun (a 2025 All-Star), Jabari Smith Jr., and Reed Sheppard, who could all potentially develop and improve between seasons.

That depth could prevent Durant from having to do too much heavy lifting, and it might have benefits beyond simply next season. Ralph Sampson, a former Rockets center and Hall of Famer, had his NBA career cut short by injuries — and he believes the setup in Houston could be conducive to extending Durant’s career.

Sampson tells Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints:

[Kevin Durant] fits together with anybody. I love KD and he’ll teach those young guys how to be a professional. I think it’s a great fit. It should extend his career. They should give him more money and more contracts, because I think he’s isn’t going to have to play as hard. He can play smart and preserve his body for the playoffs.

Over four-plus seasons with the Rockets from 1983 until 1987, Sampson averaged 19.7 points (49.9% FG), 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. He won Rookie of the Year in 1983-84 and earned All-Star honors four times.

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But the 7-foot-4 phenom suffered a series of knee injuries in the late 1980s, which led to a physical decline and eventually his retirement from the game.

At 36 years old, Durant has already defied the traditional NBA aging curve, and he’s bounced back from several injuries. The hope is that Houston’s supporting cast can further assist in those efforts over the coming years.

More: ESPN projects Rockets to finish 54-28 next season, No. 2 in Western Conference

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ralph Sampson: Rockets’ roster could help extend Kevin Durant’s career