Durant! Join the Rockets?

Durant's trade is no longer a secret. Since the trading deadline of this season, the Suns have already started trading Durant and have almost reached a trading agreement with the Warriors.

As the team missed the playoffs, they also strengthened their idea of ​​rebuilding. Adu was undoubtedly their best bargaining chip this offseason, and the Suns will try their best to save the bargaining chips they had when they were traded.

The most likely trading object here is the Rockets. It was reported earlier that the Rockets were interested in trading Durant. With the first round of this year's playoffs, the fatal flaw of the Rockets' lack of quality has been completely exposed.

Now with Durant's nod, this deal is one step closer.

Let's talk about Adu's current state first. This season, he has played in a total of 62 games for the Suns, averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.1 turnovers and 1.2 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 52.7% + 43%, and a real shooting percentage of 64.2%.

As a comparison, the data of Adu on the past two sides are as follows...

-22-23 season, 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists

-23-24 season, 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5 assists

This season, Adu's condition has slightly declined, but his average score is sixth in the league, and his output and efficiency are guaranteed. As long as he can play, Adu is the super-powered level.

But in terms of influence, Adu is also declining. During this season, the team's offensive and defensive efficiency in 100 rounds was 118.2 and 119.2, and a net loss of 1 point in 100 rounds, which is quite rare in the entire career.

Adu almost performed at the MVP level in the early stage of this season, but with the decline in physical fitness brought about by injuries and the deepening of the season, Adu's influence gradually weakened, and the team eventually missed the play-offs.

So overall, Adu's competitive state is still good, with both output and efficiency guaranteed, but his influence has indeed declined early. It is no longer realistic to expect him to take the lead. Going to a championship team to play the role of an arrow is more suitable for his current positioning.

Obviously, that's very suitable for the Rockets.

The Rockets have made great progress this season, with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses in the West, a fifth in the league in defensive efficiency of 110.3, and a seven-player team scored in double digits. The team basketball + iron-blooded defense advocated by Uduka has become the key to the Rockets' outbreak this season.

But the problem also exists. Such a team urgently needs a superstar to take charge, which is very obvious in this year's playoffs. Jaylen Green, as the team's outside cornerstone and the team's ceiling, averaged only 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this year's playoffs, with a shooting percentage of 37.2% + 29.5%.

It is precisely because of his disaster-level performance that the team was finally blacked by the Warriors. If the Rockets continue to keep him as the cornerstone of the team's outside line, it will be difficult to break through the upper limit, and it is still far from a real strong team.

In terms of chips, the Rockets may be able to meet the needs of the Suns better than any team. They can not only produce high-quality puzzles such as Jabbarry Smith, Dillon Brooks, and Van Vleet, but also package a large first-round pick. The trading plan is very sufficient.

However, the Rockets still have concerns, that is, Durant's age, next season, Adu will reach his 37th year of life, and there will be new contract renewal problems in the future.

The Rockets' current number one target is letters. If they can't win, they will likely turn to Adu. This should be Adu's last chance to win the championship. I hope he can seize it.