Tyrese Haliburton Reacts to Kevin Durant Debate Amid Concerning Update on Rockets Future

“One of the greatest to ever play the game, we are grateful for the impact Kevin made on our organization and in our community,” Phoenix GM Brian Gregory said of Kevin Durant. And just like that, the largest trade in NBA history went down—a wild seven-team, 13-player deal that sent KD to the Houston Rockets. Sure, it’s a blockbuster for the ages, but even with all the hype, questions about Durant’s game and his long-term future in Houston are already bubbling up.

Fans have been quick to point out that Kevin Durant hasn’t led his team in field goal attempts per game since 2018, and KD wasn’t letting that slide. The 2x Finals MVP fired back with a full-on defense of his game, making it clear he’s more than just a scorer. “30k points on low field goal attempts. I’m a coach’s dream. Dime dropper, I mastered scoring at 24 years old, man,” Durant said. Then he doubled down: “Give it a rest, I don’t care about being the best scorer ever. You are diminishing my all-time greatness by calling me that.” Classic KD, blunt, confident, and ready to remind everyone exactly who he is.

Interestingly, the one who stepped in to back KD was Tyrese Haliburton. He skipped the words and went straight for a meme reply on X — a nasty face reaction with a scrunched nose and all. No context needed, just a sly nod that KD had shut the critics down.

Maybe what made Haliburton jump in to back KD’s trolls was a little more personal — they share the same battle scar. Tyrese tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals, and not long after, KD actually dropped by his house to check in. They sat, talked, and connected in a way only players with that kind of injury can. As Tyrese put it, “It’s funny, K.D. has said he’s tired of being the Achilles guy,” Haliburton said. “But I think it’s just how it had to happen, because not many guys have been able to come back and play at such a high level.” 

And for anyone still pushing the “KD doesn’t shoot enough” narrative—he’s got the receipts. Durant’s led the league in field goal attempts before, ranked top six in shots per game in each of the last two seasons, and even finished fifth just last year. Since 2017-18, he’s often been his team’s top shooter—leading the Nets in 2021-22 and the Suns in 2023-24. The playoffs tell the same story: KD led OKC in 2016, the Warriors in 2018 and 2019, the Nets in 2021 and 2022, and the Suns in 2024. He even topped OKC in five of their six title pushes between 2009 and 2016. But as great as KD is, it’s the messy front office dynamics that could truly hold him back.

Houston’s 2027 primary plan could cut into Durant’s payday

When Houston traded for Kevin Durant, they didn’t just get the 36-year-old legend, they also took on his $54.7 million expiring contract, and the Rockets’ front office is counting every dollar. Rafael Stone has built this roster on team-friendly deals, like Alperen Şengün’s $185 million and Jabari Smith Jr.’s $122 million declining contract. As ESPN’s Tim Bontemps put it, “Rafael Stone has done an outstanding job understanding the new economic environment.” And for Durant, that mindset might spell “trouble.” On a recent Spotify podcast, Brian Windhorst said, “The Rockets’ actions indicate they’re protecting space in 27” and warned, “I don’t think you should assume that Durant’s going to have a giant number in 27, 28 on the table.”

The numbers make it clearer. KD’s due $54.7 million next season, and starting July 6, he can sign a two-year extension worth up to $124 million. But insiders believe Houston will push for “materially less than the max” to keep cap flexibility. This isn’t new for the Rockets — Sengun took $185 million instead of the $224.2 million max, and Smith Jr.’s deal declines in value over time. Their logic? Avoid balloon contracts now, avoid painful roster cuts later. The twist for Durant is that the deal could be worth less in dollars, but more in championship potential. The Rockets are playing the long game, and they expect their stars to buy in.

That long game points to 2027. Windhorst explained they’ve “done four or five contracts that prioritize dipping their space and creating maneuverability in 27.” That’s when stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić could hit the market. Jabari’s deal drops after year one, Sengun’s stays flat late, and even Tari Eason’s expected extension dips in 2027. With $174 million committed that year, they’d still be $41 million under the first apron—rare for a contender. But if Durant’s extension spikes in 2027–28, it could kill that space. His choice? Take less to join Houston’s master plan, or chase the full bag somewhere else.