A new era of Kevin Durant's illustrious NBA career began in June, when he was dealt to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster trade. Durant landing in Houston was no accident—the young and hungry Rockets team coming off of a 50-win season was one of Durant's three preferred landing spots.
But things nearly played out differently. Durant, starring for a struggling Suns team, was the subject of rumors at the NBA's trade deadline this past February—and he was nearly yet another big fish dealt in a sea of superstars, most notably Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler. At one point, Durant returning to Golden State, where he captured a pair of NBA championships and Finals MVP awards, seemed a real possibility. But Durant did not want a second stint in the Bay Area.
