Houston Rockets second‑guess the Durant deal

Houston’s front office is reportedly experiencing buyer’s remorse over last offseason’s massive trade for Kevin Durant. The seven‑team deal cost the Rockets Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, two players who were central to the group’s identity. Even with Durant averaging 25.7 points and the team sitting fifth in the West, internal chemistry has slipped. One source admitted that “many still miss Jalen and Dillon,” noting that Durant has yet to build real connections within the roster. 

Another insider suggested the Rockets “probably wouldn’t have made the trade” had Fred VanVleet suffered his knee injury earlier, since he was the team’s vocal anchor, a role Durant has never embraced. Tension reportedly spiked after the 2026 All‑Star break, with some players and executives suspecting Durant of running burner accounts criticizing teammates, accusations he has publicly denied.