The 2025-26 NBA season gets closer with each passing day, and Houston Rockets fans can't wait to see the team's offseason additions in action. While it'll be nice to have the likes of Clint Capela, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Okogie in the fold, Kevin Durant is the new face whom Rockets fans are most excited to see on the floor.
Former NBA MVPs don't grow on trees, which is why the Houston faithful can't contain their excitement regarding Durant's arrival. Fortunately, it hasn't taken the 15-time All-Star long to make his impact on the Rockets' roster, according to head coach Ime Udoka.
"(Durant is) a guy that doesn’t want (us) to just lean on him," Udoka admitted in an interview earlier this week (h/t Locked on Rockets). "That’s his message to a lot of the young guys: Be who you are, continue to grow in those areas, and I’ll fit in where we see necessary.”
Kevin Durant Already Leading by Example After Joining Rockets
Durant is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and no one would blink twice if he wanted the Rockets to be tailored to him instead of vice versa. Instead, the 36-year-old superstar clearly understands his role at this stage of his career and has left his ego at the door so he can help the Rockets realize their true upside.
As exciting as it is to have a former MVP in the fold, Durant has fewer seasons ahead of him than in the rearview. He's already been to the top of the mountain multiple times and now wants to help a young Houston squad achieve that feeling. If that means playing a supporting role to the likes of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, Durant is ready for the assignment.
Expectations are high surrounding the Rockets after last season's 52-win performance, but a first-round exit against the Golden State Warriors proved Udoka & Co. still had improvements to make. They'll have Durant to help achieve that goal. He proved he can still be effective in the latter stretch of his career by averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the floor and 43.0% from deep in 62 starts with the Phoenix Suns in 2024-25.
The Rockets have been consistently improving under Udoka's watch, and the upcoming NBA season will reveal if Durant was the missing piece to put the group over the top. He's already shown he's ready to help Houston's core grow, and the first real test will come in the regular season opener against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Oct. 21.