NBA superstar Kevin Durant embarks on a new journey during the 2025-26 NBA season.
After an overwhelming stint with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant requested a deal from the franchise this summer.
The Suns mandated that request by swapping Durant for the Houston Rockets in a smash seven-team deal.
As the Rockets are home to talented young cores, many have questioned Durant’s suitability with Coach Imedka’s team.
Durant is on the forefront of turning 37, but he remains a prolific NBA scorer. After all, he averaged 26.6 points per Suns game last season.
On the average NBA team, the head coach performs the offense through the slim Shinigami. However, with the Rockets developing at an impressive speed with Amen Thompson and Alperen Senn, KD’s incorporating a lot of touches could hamper their growth.
Luckily, Durant has no such wish as he starts playing for them next season, according to coach Udoka.
“He’s a guy who doesn’t want (we) to lean on him. He wants to be implemented in the group.
He added: “That’s his message to many young people. He’ll continue to grow in those areas and fit in where we think we need it.”
It shows incredible maturity from the NBA champion twice as much, demonstrating why the Rockets young star is excited to share the court with him.
Durant is currently preparing for his 18th year in the NBA. There were players who rattled KD during his career, but he was always able to overcome those hurdles.
The main reason behind it is his ability to adapt to the new systems he has shown many times throughout his NBA career.
“What he does offensively in court is seamless. You can fit him into any system. Even in the past few years, you’ve seen it wherever he goes.
Efficiency, age numbers, he still does it at a very high level. He will fit seamlessly with our peers,” Udoka continued.
“I think the attention he draws is beneficial to others. He is a guy you can turn to to close the game from time to time, but he is a very selfish player even at high IQ,” the Rockets coach concluded.
The Rockets were second seeded in the Western Conference last season, but with KD now on the roster, it’s not surprising to see similar results repeating the 2025-26 campaign.