Kevin Durant’s first season in Houston already showed why he remains one of the league’s cleanest offensive bets.
The 16-time All-Star put up 26.0 points per game across 78 regular-season games, and his production landed him fourth in total points scored in the NBA. The volume was there, but so was the efficiency: Durant shot 52.0% from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc, numbers that helped earn him an All-NBA Second Team nod.
That kind of scoring profile is why Bleacher Report placed Durant at No. 2 on its latest ranking of the NBA’s top shooters entering the 2026-27 season. In Grant Hughes’ breakdown, Durant’s mid-range game stood out as his signature weapon.
“Durant's greatest shooting prowess comes in the disfavored mid-range area, where his proficiency makes him one of very few players for whom a pull-up two is still a valuable scoring option... Shifty shoulders, a high release and a feathery touch make KD perhaps the league's best bailout option on offense. He can generate a good perimeter look against any defender at any time.”
The only player ahead of Durant was Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. At 38 years old, both stars are still operating as primary options, a level of longevity that’s not easy to sustain.
Houston’s shooting picture, though, isn’t only about Durant. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson both shot below 31% from three-point range last season, leaving room for growth from the perimeter. The Rockets are also hoping the addition of Chip Engelland to the coaching staff will help sharpen shooting mechanics, and Engelland has already had a chance to work with some players during training camp.
There’s also a broader case for Houston’s ceiling. Durant, Sengun and Thompson could form a dangerous trio next season, and the Rockets are trying to move forward after a first-round playoff exit. Durant, however, missed most of Houston’s series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bleacher Report’s top-30 shooters list also included Kon Knueppel at No. 3, followed by Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Luke Kennard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell.
The Rockets are also counting on the return of Fred VanVleet to steady the backcourt, even though his ACL injury leaves some uncertainty about what he’ll provide. Jabari Smith Jr. remains a stable presence at starting power forward.
For Houston, Durant’s shot-making is the obvious headline. Even if his minutes dip a bit, the signs still point to a player who hasn’t lost much, if anything, in terms of how dangerous he is when the ball is in his hands.
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