Subscribe
Follow Us
The Houston Rockets have officially entered a new era. By acquiring Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a trove of picks to Phoenix, Houston made its intentions clear: the time to contend is now.
With a core featuring Durant, Alperen Sengun, fresh off his first All-Star selection, and a promising group of young talent, the Rockets are poised for a deep playoff run. But with expectations higher than ever, Houston’s front office can’t afford to make a misstep in free agency. The margin for error is razor-thin, and one bad contract could derail their championship window.
The Rockets’ roster, while talented, is in flux. The loss of Green and Brooks removes two key rotation pieces, and while Durant brings star power and scoring, he’ll be 37 when the 2025-26 season tips off.
Houston’s supporting cast, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason, offers upside, but playoff experience is limited outside of Durant and Fred VanVleet. The team must strike a delicate balance: adding the right veteran pieces without sacrificing flexibility or stunting the growth of its young core.
Why the Rockets must avoid Myles Turner
Myles Turner, coming off another strong season with the Indiana Pacers, is the highest-profile unrestricted free-agent big man available. He’s a proven rim protector, a solid three-point shooter for his position, and has anchored one of the league’s best defenses.
On paper, his skill set seems like an ideal fit next to Alperen Sengun or even as a versatile backup center. With Houston’s midlevel exception and cap flexibility, Turner will be on their radar.
Myles Turner's overlapping skill sets and fit concerns
The Rockets already have a crowded frontcourt rotation with Sengun, Adams, and promising young bigs. Turner’s best value comes as a starting center, but Sengun is entrenched as the offensive hub, and Adams is locked in as a defensive anchor.
Turner’s presence would create a positional logjam, potentially stunting the development of Sengun or forcing Adams into a reduced role. For a team that thrives on chemistry and defined roles, this could be a recipe for internal friction.
Myles Turner's financial implications
Article Continues Below
Turner is expected to command a significant contract, likely in the $25 million-plus range annually. Committing that much to a player who may not start or close games is a misuse of Houston’s newfound flexibility.
After the Durant trade, every dollar matters. The Rockets need to maximize value from their cap space, targeting wings and versatile defenders rather than duplicating assets at center.
Myles Turner's durability and playoff impact
While Turner is a regular-season stalwart, he’s struggled with injuries and has never been a difference-maker deep in the playoffs. Houston’s goal is a championship, not just a strong regular season. Investing heavily in a player with a spotty playoff résumé and a history of missing games would be a high-risk move for a team with title aspirations.
Houston’s focus should be on perimeter defense, shooting, and secondary playmaking. The loss of Brooks and Green leaves a void on the wing that Turner cannot fill.
With the midlevel exception and additional flexibility from VanVleet’s restructured deal, the Rockets are better served targeting players who can guard multiple positions, space the floor, and complement Durant’s scoring prowess.
Names like Malik Beasley or Quentin Grimes, both unrestricted free agents who can fill it up from deep and defend, make far more sense for Houston’s roster construction.
Big picture for Rockets
The Rockets’ transformation from lottery team to contender has been built on smart, targeted acquisitions and internal development. Adding Kevin Durant is the ultimate win-now move, but it also raises the stakes for every other transaction. Overpaying for Myles Turner would not only create fit issues but could also hamstring the franchise’s flexibility for future moves.
Instead, the Rockets should stay disciplined and look for players who bring versatility, shooting, and playoff experience without compromising their cap flexibility. The right free-agency additions will complement Kevin Durant’s unique talents and seamlessly fit into Ime Udoka’s system.
By avoiding the allure of a big-name signing like Myles Turner, Houston can continue to build a balanced, cohesive roster—one that’s not only equipped to contend now but also set up for sustained success in the years ahead.
Houston’s front office has earned the benefit of the doubt with its recent track record. By resisting the temptation to chase big names who don’t fit the roster, the Rockets can maintain their upward trajectory and give themselves the best shot at a deep playoff run in 2026. The Durant trade was the right kind of bold move. Signing Myles Turner would be the wrong one.
