2 hours ago 1

Kevin Durant ranked as most exciting newcomer to watch

ESPN.com released an article covering the top players on new teams to watch for the upcoming 2025-2026 NBA season. The piece includes players acquired by trade, such as Kevin Durant, but also includes players signed in free agency like Myles Turner, and players acquired by the NBA draft, such as Cooper Flag

“The Rockets made the biggest (offseason) splash, adding two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to a young core that lost in the first round (of the playoffs) after finishing second in the Western Conference last season,” write Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton of ESPN.

Regarding Durant specifically, Herring continues:

Durant, who turns 37 later this month, is the best-known player and lone MVP on this list. The Rockets are hoping he can be the finishing piece for a franchise striving for a third NBA championship. His role in Houston couldn’t be clearer. In joining the club that finished dead last in the league in effective field goal rate in the clutch (43.8%) during the regular season, Durant will be expected to serve as a closer and No. 1 option on offense when the going gets tough.

It is hoped that other young players on Houston’s squad will find it easier with Durant around. While Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard could all gain during the 2025–26 season, rising players Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun are clear contenders.

The No. 10 pick is Jalen Green, a former guard for the Rockets who the Phoenix Suns acquired as part of the Durant trade. Prior to his poor performance in the team’s first-round series loss, Green led Houston in scoring during the 2024–25 regular season.

Do you agree with the list? Do you think Durant deserves to be number one, or would you have another player at his spot? Let me know below, and as always, GO ROCKETS!