You’re hopefully getting a positive, happy embrace from Rockets fans. Can you tell us how your new team is showing their fandom for you?” Kevin Durant: “Yeah, they happy now, man. We’ll see—we’ll see how it goes when we start playing. You know how that is. But yeah, I’m excited. New opportunity. It’s always good to keep playing. I love playing ball. So to still be playing in my 18th—going on 19th—year in the league is sweet. I just want to keep it going.”
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
Rockets tidbits:
🏀Last season, 3ptFG%
Durant: 43.0% (2nd in NBA)
Finney-Smith: 41.1% (16th)
(min. 4.5 3ptFGA/game)
🏀Last season, OReb/per 36
Adams: 7.5 (1st in NBA)
Capela: 5.3 (7th)
(min. 55 games played)
#LiftOff pic.x.com/26NwWHgihI – 10:59 PM
Rockets tidbits:
🏀Last season, 3ptFG%
Durant: 43.0% (2nd in NBA)
Finney-Smith: 41.1% (16th)
(min. 4.5 3ptFGA/game)
🏀Last season, OReb/per 36
Adams: 7.5 (1st in NBA)
Capela: 5.3 (7th)
(min. 55 games played)
#LiftOff pic.x.com/26NwWHgihI – 10:59 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
After the acquisition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets are all in. – 7:32 PM
After the acquisition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets are all in. – 7:32 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Kevin Durant is now a Houston Rocket. But how does the future Hall of Famer help elevate a halfcourt offense that struggled last season?
For @TheAthletic, my first video essay on KD’s spacing, isolation and a whole bunch of midrange mastery.
Full video: nytimes.com/athletic/64635… pic.x.com/pyTewtdNoO – 5:50 PM
Kevin Durant is now a Houston Rocket. But how does the future Hall of Famer help elevate a halfcourt offense that struggled last season?
For @TheAthletic, my first video essay on KD’s spacing, isolation and a whole bunch of midrange mastery.
Full video: nytimes.com/athletic/64635… pic.x.com/pyTewtdNoO – 5:50 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Some of you are going to be watching Kevin Durant with a close eye for the first time in at least 5 years (perhaps ever in some cases) and I’m so excited for it lol – 1:18 PM
Some of you are going to be watching Kevin Durant with a close eye for the first time in at least 5 years (perhaps ever in some cases) and I’m so excited for it lol – 1:18 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Starters:
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Kevin Durant
Jabari Smith Jr.
Alperen Sengun
Bench:
Reed Sheppard
Cam Whitmore (?)
Tari Eason
Steven Adams
Deep Bench:
Aaron Holiday
Jae’Sean Tate
Jeff Green – 12:54 PM
Starters:
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Kevin Durant
Jabari Smith Jr.
Alperen Sengun
Bench:
Reed Sheppard
Cam Whitmore (?)
Tari Eason
Steven Adams
Deep Bench:
Aaron Holiday
Jae’Sean Tate
Jeff Green – 12:54 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Some notes on Houston now and next year
* Access to the $14.1M non-tax ML but likely need to waive Jock Landale or clear some money out
* In 2026-27, Houston is below (projected):
– Tax: $75M
– Apron 1: $83M
– Apron 2: $96M
Plenty of flexibility for a Kevin Durant and Tari – 8:33 PM
Some notes on Houston now and next year
* Access to the $14.1M non-tax ML but likely need to waive Jock Landale or clear some money out
* In 2026-27, Houston is below (projected):
– Tax: $75M
– Apron 1: $83M
– Apron 2: $96M
Plenty of flexibility for a Kevin Durant and Tari – 8:33 PM
More on this storyline
Kevin Durant: But mostly, I just want to see people succeed in their sports betting. A lot of people are emotional when they place bets. Most of the time, they’re not doing the research. You should look at the matchups, the schedule—all that. I’m just holding people accountable on Twitter. They enjoy it. It’s a part of the experience. Like I said, the fan and player relationship is different now—they get to be heckled by me.” -via YouTube / July 1, 2025
“Speaking of dynamics, what’s the difference between in-person interactions with fans and the ones you see online? Kevin Durant: Oh, it’s way tougher online, for sure. You get the real person in person. But online, that persona—it’s cool to have it because your inner thoughts can just come out with no consequences. But when you see me up close, it’s a different deal. And now—you might just check your mentions and see me in there too. I’m just everywhere. You gotta watch out for me.” -via YouTube / July 1, 2025
During a guest appearance on “The Boardroom,” a show brought to you by FanDuel, the 36-year-old forward joked that Rockets fans are happy with the trade right now, but things could change as the next season begins. Jokes aside, it sounds like Kevin Durant is excited to play in Houston. “Yeah, they’re happy now, we’ll see how it goes when we start playing,” said Kevin Durant. “You know how that is. But yeah, I’m excited, new opportunity. Always good to keep playing. I love playing ball, so to keep playing my 19th year in the league is sweet, so I want to keep it going.” -via Clutch Points / June 30, 2025