NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 01: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the first quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 01, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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When Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets this past offseason and signed a two-year extension with the young squad, it was seen as a checkmate move made by Houston to position itself as a legitimate contender to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Friday, Durant sat on the sidelines awkwardly as the Rockets were unceremoniously eliminated from the NBA playoffs by a Los Angeles Lakers team missing league-leading scorer Luka Doncic for the entirety of the series.

While Durant has one year left on his deal, the experiment with the Rockets might already be over, following an awkward season of lackluster chemistry.

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If the future first-ballot Hall of Famer does decide to pursue another path this summer in another trade, which teams could he possibly go to next?

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets celebrates during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

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Washington Wizards

Hey, why not a homecoming? If there was any team where Durant could spin the narrative that it's a good thing he's on his third team in three years, it'd be the dormant Wizards, who are trying to piece something together with Trae Young.

In return, the Rockets could get Anthony Davis, which could either come off as brilliant or extremely desperate, depending on how healthy the big man is.

Detroit Pistons

What happens if the Pistons lose to the Orlando Magic in Game 7?

Detroit already looks like one of the softest No. 1 seeds of this quarter-century in the NBA, and if they fall to Orlando, would they get trigger-happy and bring in Durant to try and pair him with Cade Cunningham?

Charlotte Hornets

Going three for three on the east coast, we have the fun, exciting Hornets. Although Durant wouldn't fit the team at all and would probably take away from much of the team's exuberance, he would be an adult in the room for a team that lacks a leader.

Maybe Charlotte could bring a smile back to Durant, who has seemingly been stuck in melancholy on his past two teams, Phoenix and Houston.

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