Former Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell believes Kevin Durant’s arrival puts the team back in contention — but not at the championship level just yet.
In an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Maxwell described Durant’s addition as “a great move” for Houston but noted that the roster still needs more depth to reach title-winning status.
“I think contender… but not… I don’t think championship yet,” Maxwell said. “We gotta get a couple more pieces, but we’re knockin’ on the door. We’re close, so I’m looking forward to it. We’re REAL close.”
Durant joined the Rockets on July 6 as part of a record seven-team trade, the largest in NBA history. Houston sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and multiple draft assets to Phoenix in exchange for the 37-year-old forward, aiming to pair him with young core players like Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.
Maxwell, who won two NBA titles with Houston in the 1990s, believes Durant’s offensive versatility fills a crucial gap for Ime Udoka’s team. “The Rockets need a guy that they can roll it out to and get a bucket in the playoffs,” Maxwell said. “Now they got that guy.”
He also expressed confidence in the on-court chemistry between Durant and Sengun, calling both players “smart” and “high-IQ competitors” who would “mesh well together.”
Durant, a 12-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season with the Phoenix Suns. His move to Houston signals another chapter in his storied career and provides the Rockets with a proven scorer and leader as they push toward playoff contention.
For Maxwell, the trade marks progress — not completion. The Rockets may have taken a major step toward relevance, but according to him, the championship window has not fully opened yet.
