Is Houston Leaning Too Hard on Kevin Durant?

The Houston Rockets made one of the splashiest moves of the NBA offseason when they brought Kevin Durant to Houston. His arrival injected championship expectations into a young roster already stocked with talent. But as the season unfolds, a new concern is emerging — the Rockets might be leaning too heavily on the 35-year-old superstar.

Durant remains one of the greatest scorers in basketball history. He can still create his own shot, punish mismatches, and elevate the team in tight moments. But early-season trends show that Houston’s offense can become stagnant when it funnels too many possessions through him. When the ball slows, so does the team’s overall rhythm.

Why Durant’s Workload Raises Questions

Durant is averaging big minutes and an equally heavy scoring load. While that might thrill fans in the short term, it raises long-term durability concerns. Houston has built a roster around rising players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengün, and Jabari Smith Jr. When the offense tilts too far toward Durant, those young pieces can drift out of rhythm.

The Rockets are at their best when the ball moves, the pace stays high, and multiple players threaten defenses. Durant fits that system when used as a focal point, not a crutch. The risk of overreliance becomes clear in close games, where the Rockets sometimes default to isolations instead of the team-first approach that powered their recent growth.

What’s at Stake for Houston

With the Western Conference tightening and playoff hopes rising, Houston cannot afford a midseason slump caused by overuse or predictability. Opponents already adjust their defenses late in games to force the ball out of Durant’s hands. If the Rockets don’t build reliable secondary options, those moments could turn into costly losses.

Coach Ime Udoka has emphasized balance since arriving in Houston. Maintaining that balance is the key to maximizing Durant’s impact while still nurturing the younger core. A more evenly distributed offense would make the Rockets tougher to guard, more sustainable over the season, and better positioned for a postseason run.

Durant didn’t come to Houston to carry the team alone — he came to elevate it. That only happens when the entire roster stays involved and empowered.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.