After more than half a season in Houston, Kevin Durant’s situation has not become clearer, and for many observers casually scrolling sports updates alongside a Jeetbuzz Login prompt, the contrast between expectation and reality is hard to ignore. When Durant first arrived, he repeatedly spoke about liking the Rockets and even hinted at finishing his career there, while public opinion suggested Houston offered something different from his previous stops.
That optimism was not baseless. Over the past two seasons under Ime Udoka, the Rockets developed into one of the league’s toughest defensive teams, stocked with strong individual stoppers across positions. Before Fred VanVleet’s unfortunate season ending injury, the offense also appeared well insured. VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, and rookie guard Reed Sheppard all showed the ability to organize play. In theory, this setup allowed Durant to focus on scoring from the wing, regain full offensive freedom, and shed many of the extra responsibilities that weighed on him elsewhere.
As the season crossed its midpoint and moved into 2026, reality told a different story. Houston did not suddenly soar after Durant’s arrival. Instead, the team hovered around fourth in the West, dropping puzzling games along the way. Losses in the Texas derby against Dallas, a sweep by Portland, and a surprising collapse against a weakened Kings squad revealed instability rather than dominance.
The irony deepened when Phoenix briefly overtook Houston in the standings. Without Durant, the Suns rediscovered cohesion and rhythm under a new coaching vision, building a resilient system around Devin Booker. Meanwhile, Durant appeared increasingly frustrated. Since January, the affectionate comments he once made about Houston have largely disappeared, replaced by visible tension on the court that fans quickly noticed after another Jeetbuzz Login fueled highlight scroll.
By now, the honeymoon period is clearly over. Even during recent winning stretches, Houston’s victories often relied on improvised solutions and raw individual talent rather than a polished system. The anticipated seamless fit between Durant and the Rockets never truly materialized, and halfway through the season, the team still lacks the profile of a genuine title contender.
The core issue remains VanVleet’s absence. Despite Udoka experimenting with Sengun as a high post facilitator, Amen Thompson as a temporary organizer, and Sheppard as a spark off the bench, none have replicated VanVleet’s stabilizing influence. Sengun’s assist numbers reached career highs, Thompson flashed elite vision in isolated games, and Sheppard delivered timely shooting, but consistency has been elusive.
Outside of occasional bright spots, offensive stagnation defines Houston’s identity. Durant often struggles to receive the ball in his preferred spots, and misexecuted plays have fueled his frustration, even spilling into visible sideline outbursts. Statistically, the Rockets rank near the bottom in assists, three point attempts, and turnover control, painting a clear picture of disjointed organization.
Udoka’s fascination with oversized lineups amplified these problems. While the size advantage boosted rebounding and physicality, it sacrificed spacing and flexibility. For a rhythm scorer like Durant, fluid ball movement and open lanes matter far more than constant physical protection, a mismatch that has dragged down his efficiency.
Durant’s numbers reflect the strain. His scoring average and shooting percentages have dipped to multi year lows, while his minutes climbed to nearly 37 per game. At 37 years old, that workload is unsustainable, even by superstar standards. Compounding matters, despite improved team results compared to last season in Phoenix, Durant missed out on an All Star starting spot, a slight that further dented his standing.
As the season unfolds and fans refresh timelines after another Jeetbuzz Login session, one conclusion feels unavoidable. Houston may have misread this trade, not because Durant lacks greatness, but because the environment around him has failed to provide the structure he needs to thrive.