ESPN ranks Rockets Kevin Durant as ninth-best player in NBA

ESPN recently completed a ranking of the top 100 players in the NBA, and the Houston Rockets were well-represented, with Kevin Durant coming in as the ninth-best player in the NBA. The Rockets acquired Durant in the offseason in return for Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks and multiple draft picks, and now the Rockets have a top 10 player in the NBA for the first time since James Harden left. Here’s what ESPN had to say about KD:

The Rockets entered last postseason pondering whether they needed to acquire a go-to offensive engine and received an answer resoundingly by way of a first-round exit. Enter Durant, who heads into 2025-26 ranked eighth all time in scoring (30,571 points) just behind Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). Even as he’s about to turn 37, Durant remains an efficient and elite scorer who brings championship experience and IQ to go with a relentless work ethic, which is sure to rub off on Houston’s relatively young roster.

Biggest question: Does Durant’s arrival make the Rockets legitimate contenders?

Yes, but only if Houston’s supporting cast does its part in helping Durant find his fit within the group. Having worked with Durant during his tenure in Brooklyn, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka knows the 15-time All-Star isn’t the type of player who wants teammates to defer to him unnecessarily. Durant wants to be integrated into the group naturally, which in turn diversifies Houston’s options for attacking opponents.

So, the best way to maximize Durant’s potential impact is continued growth from players such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, who spent a good chunk of the summer in Istanbul, Turkey, working with Rockets developmental staffers on whittling down his post moves to focus on what’s most effective.

Durant has already told teammates to be themselves, and he’ll find a way to fit in that best helps the team. Durant’s vast experience in a variety of systems over the years ensures he’ll find his way; it’s just a matter of how quickly. -- Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Kevin Durant has averaged at least 25 points, 50% shooting and 40% on 3-pointers in three straight seasons, the longest streak in NBA history.

Fantasy projection: 24.9 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.2 AST

The players above Durant on the list are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembenyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic, in that order.

Houston was also well-represented eslewhere on the list, with Alperen Sengun coming in at 25, Amen Thompson coming in at 37, and Jabari Smith Jr. at 74. That makes four out of five Houston starters on the list. With Fred VanVleet now down for the year, that fifth starter spot is suddenly up for grabs.

Hopefully, KD is all he is packaged to be still, as the Rockets are suddenly down three starters from last season’s number two ranked team when counting for the players lost in the Durant deal, so this is not last year’s team in many, many ways. It’s going to be on Durant to lead Houston where they want to go this year. Do you think he’s up to it?