The Rockets faced an unexpected curveball with Fred VanVleet sidelined, but they’re not letting it slow them down. With a mix of youngsters and vets, this is one of the most talented teams they’ve put together. As the Houston side heads into its preseason opener, all eyes will be on Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and Alperen Sengun to see who makes a real impact. It may not determine how the season will actually unfold, but it’ll give fans a first look at what could shape their team’s success. And of course, the biggest plot twist of all? Kevin Durant, whose blockbuster trade has everyone talking.

Ahead of the opener, Alperen Sengun didn’t just sit down for an interview; he threw down a warning to all the other NBA teams about Kevin Durant. He told reporter Vanessa Richardson, “He’s gonna make my game easy, for sure… Now, we don’t have to worry about that [guarding KD]. Other teams have to worry about that. I am just gonna as much can help him, I will, and I’m sure he will help everybody.” You heard him loud and clear: NBA squads, watch your backs.

The Rockets are hoping this season will be different, and it starts with their top duo: Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Durant, the 37-year-old veteran, is still one of the league’s most lethal scorers, averaging 26.6 points per game last season on 53-43-84 shooting splits. With Jalen Green struggling last season and VanVleet sidelined, Durant immediately became the Rockets’ primary offensive weapon, ready to take the load off the young players, like Sengun. 

Sengun, fresh off his first All-Star nod, isn’t just a traditional center. The Turkish big man can punish defenders in the paint and create chances for teammates with his intelligent passing. He consistently makes the right decisions by opening up the defense.

The beauty of this top pairing lies in how they complement each other. KD can dominate in isolation, and his career 1.28 points per possession shows just how effective he is one-on-one. Meanwhile, Sengun can operate almost like a point guard, creating tidy offenses while keeping the opposition’s defense guessing. The former Suns star’s elite efficiency is set to benefit even further from the Turkish hoopster’s creativity. Even something as simple as a hockey assist involving Durant will typically work. 

The Rockets are gearing up for their opener on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. Across the preseason, they’ll test different starting lineups and give their key players some rest. Still, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Kevin Durant are expected to be part of the starting five. Fans will get the first real look at how Durant and Sengun play together as a duo. Meanwhile, the Rockets will also be evaluating whether to extend KD’s contract or not.

Kevin Durant’s future with the Rockets is still up in the air, despite him instilling confidence

The Houston Rockets stunned everyone this offseason by pulling off one of the biggest trades in recent memory, bringing Kevin Durant to Houston from Phoenix. The move wasn’t just about adding a star; it was about adding a proven winner to a team that had just finished 52-30 and claimed the No. 2 seed in the West last season.

With a trade this huge, it’s no surprise that KD sees himself staying in Houston beyond this season, eager to be part of the team’s mid-term chase for glory. He made his expectations clear during Media Day: “I do see myself signing a contract extension. I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening,” he told reporters. 

Durant also spoke about feeling at home in Houston, citing his connections with the coaching staff, front office, and his ties from his college days at the University of Texas. With head coach Ime Udoka also part of the 37-year-old’s previous journey in Brooklyn, he feels “for this opportunity to come around, it felt natural. It felt right.”

The veteran also expressed confidence in the team being capable to succeed without VanVleet. “We’ve got high IQ guys on the team that know how to play. So now we’ve got to figure out what’s the best way to mesh on the floor and then start executing from Day 1. So, I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

For now, the Rockets are focusing on locking down another young star, Tari Eason, who is also in the final year of his contract. The team reportedly wants to secure Eason’s future before finalizing Durant’s extension, as knowing the youngster’s numbers will help them manage the roster and salary cap.

KD can sign a 2-year max extension of up to $122 million. The time frame of the deal is non-negotiable due to the over-38 CBA rule (limiting the length of contracts for older players), but financially, the veteran might be on the more flexible side, as he will have a shot of winning something one last time.