The Warriors may not be the only team considering trading for Kevin Durant.
The Rockets, one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season, are also contemplating acquiring the Suns star before the Feb. 6 deadline, according to a report from The Athletic.
Houston, who was connected to Durant last summer, was previously disinclined to add an older player to their young core, but “the impressive speed of their rebuild may have changed the internal equation on that front,” according to the outlet.
After finishing .500 last season, the Rockets have vaulted into contender status behind the emergence of young stars like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green.
The Rockets are sitting in third in the Western Conference at 32-17 heading into their Tuesday night match-up against the Nets in Brooklyn.
The Mavericks “have dreams of” trading for Durant, according to The Athletic.
The Suns are reportedly fielding calls on Durant, who is averaging 26.9 points per game this season, while simultaneously pursuing Jimmy Butler.
A deal with the Heat for Butler has been reportedly held up by Bradley Beal, who is refusing to waive his no-trade clause from Phoenix.
The Athletic floated the idea of using Durant, who the Suns say is dealing with a left ankle sprain, in a trade to bring in Butler, which would necessitate a third or fourth team to land him in San Francisco or Houston.
The Suns, who are a disappointing 25-24, would be in the West play-in if the season ended today.
Durant, 36, hasn’t lived up to the hype created when he was sent from the Nets to the Suns at the 2023 trade deadline to pair up with Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
In two playoff runs with Durant in the fold, the Suns have won just one series — and churned through three head coaches (Monte Williams, Frank Vogel and now, Mike Budenholzer) in the process.