The dunk contest was the best part of all-star weekend. And that kid hitting the Mr. Beast $100K shot at the buzzer.
Everything else left a lot to be desired. I miss the old East vs. West format. It'll never be quite the same again will it?
Damian Lilllard had an idea that it should go back to East vs. West with the winner getting home court in the NBA Finals.

That kid was so clutch! His last shot was at the buzzer for $100,000. After Dame couldn't make one more. It had to fall perfectly for him to win.

Kevin Durant is owed $54.7M next season. The final year of his current contract.
Rockets can easily absorb his salary by picking up VanVleet's $44.8M team option.
Only need to add an extra $10M in salary to make the trade work for both sides.

VanVleet's salary would make a KD acquisition feasible. Although they can do it without VanVleet. Rockets have some massive contracts (Dillon Brooks).
Would likely have to add some young talent like Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, and Phoenix would want all their future first-round picks back.

But if the Houston Rockets can acquire Kevin Durant this summer without giving up their top three guys (Sengun, Amen, Green) I think KD would help us win the 2026 NBA Finals. Sure, I'd love to have Devin Booker but my patience is running thin. I want to win an NBA Title for the first time since 1995. I think we can do it with a guy like KD. A closer. A guy who won't let our offense go stale. Most of our losses this season are due to us going ice-cold offensively for long stretches. We'd be on pace for 60 wins if we had a reliable scorer like Kevin Durant. I don't care if he's old. He's still a great scorer.

What do you guys think about Kevin Durant? From a Rockets perspective I think you try to acquire him this summer. Makes too much sense.

We need to see how this year's playoffs shake out. Maybe the Rockets will reach the 2025 Western Conference Finals. And give OKC a good series.
Either way the Rockets likely don't have enough to win the NBA Title this year. They need one more dynamic scorer. A finisher. A closer. That guy.

This post was edited by MADmartigan on Feb 17 2025 02:43pm

76ers already making moves for next season

Huh?

Even though it'll likely be the Rockets vs. Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. 4 vs. 5 matchup.
I can't help but envy what the Lakers did. They added a young superstar for somebody six years older.

Am I a little bitter and jealous? Sure. Rockets will have to wait until this summer to make their big trade.
I just feel like the Dallas Mavericks made a terrible trade and left their loyal fan base in absolute shambles.

Wemby out for the season with a blood cut. It takes so long for the blood to circulate his alien body it just gave up

Looks fat and out of shape so far.

All it takes is him getting hot in a playoff series. He led Dallas to the NBA Finals last year.
And you know LeBron is going to play his best in the playoffs. It's going to be very intense.
I still think the Rockets will beat the Lakers in 6 games. It could go 7. It'll be very physical.