The 2026 NBA trade deadline came and went with its usual fireworks-teams loading up, retooling, or hitting the reset button. But while the league buzzed with blockbuster moves, the Houston Rockets chose to sit this one out. And honestly, that decision says a lot about where they are right now.
The Rockets already made their splash last offseason, pulling off the largest trade in NBA history-a jaw-dropping seven-team deal that landed them none other than Kevin Durant. It was a bold, aggressive move that sent Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and a treasure chest of draft picks out the door.
The message was clear: Houston wasn’t interested in waiting around. They were ready to win now.
But as often happens in this league, the best-laid plans can unravel in an instant.
Fred VanVleet-Houston’s veteran point guard and one of the key pieces expected to help unlock Durant’s full impact-suffered a devastating setback before the season even tipped off. A torn right ACL during an offseason workout ended his campaign before it began, robbing the Rockets of a crucial floor general and two-way leader.
That injury didn’t just hurt the Rockets on the court-it also cast a shadow over the decision to go all-in on Durant. According to reporting from Rockets insider Ben DuBose, the team might have thought twice about making the Durant deal if they’d known VanVleet wouldn’t be available.
“The Rockets wouldn’t have brought in Kevin Durant if they had known they wouldn’t have Fred,” DuBose said. “They knew last June that they needed Fred for a chance at contending with KD.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how well Durant has performed in Houston colors. Through 53 games, Durant has suited up for 50 of them-remarkable durability for a player in his late 30s. He’s averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, and he’s doing it with the kind of efficiency and poise that’s defined his Hall of Fame career.
The Rockets, for their part, haven’t folded. Despite the blow of losing VanVleet, they’ve held their own in the brutal Western Conference. Sitting at 33-20 and currently in fourth place, they’ve managed to stay competitive thanks to a mix of veteran leadership, young talent, and Durant’s steady excellence.
And make no mistake-Durant’s still got it. His former teammate Dzanan Musa, speaking on the “6.75Range” podcast, offered a glimpse into what makes KD so unique.
“KD is a killer. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” Musa said.
“He scores 40, goes home, and puts on sweatpants. He doesn’t care about flash-no expensive watches, no fleet of cars.
Just sweats and a hat. On the court, he’s unstoppable.
From what I’ve played and seen, he might be the best scorer ever.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly, especially from someone who’s shared the court with him. And it speaks to the essence of who Durant is at this stage of his career-focused, efficient, and still capable of taking over a game whenever he feels like it.
The Rockets’ decision to stand pat at the deadline may have surprised some, especially with a few roster holes still lingering. But in a way, it’s a sign of confidence.
They’ve already made their bet. They believe in Durant.
They believe in the core they’ve built-even without VanVleet.
Now, it’s about weathering the storm, staying healthy, and seeing just how far this version of the Rockets can go. Because if Durant keeps playing like this, and the supporting cast continues to rise to the occasion, Houston might just have enough to make a serious run.