Kevin Durant trade already looking like failure for Rockets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Rockets are down 0-2 in their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Their shocking losses against a Lakers unit without Luka Doncic are shifting the conversation back to the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade.
The Rockets upgraded heavily during the offseason and their most important acquisition was Durant. The Rockets acquired the midrange sniper at the expense of their young players, sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns.
Seeing the Suns eliminating the Golden State Warriors, thanks to contributions from Green and Brooks, former Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings believes the Rockets might have done themselves a disservice by bringing a veteran aboard and giving up on their young players early. Talking on Gil's Arena, Jennings said:
"I still feel like if Houston don't make those moves to get Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks out of there, I think Houston is a better team. The reason I say that is because they are young, and it was their first year in the playoffs. They didn't do it to them guys up in Boston, they stuck with them and look what they're doing over there, look what season they're having there in Phoenix."
"It was Houston's first year in the playoffs," added Jennings. "So now you're about to play the Lakers, who are worse, and you're about to lose to them? They went from two to five."
Before the conversation starts to hurt Durant's legacy as a player, the Rockets need to find answers against the Lakers. If not, they might need to rethink whether acquiring the two-time NBA champion was a good move.
More: Kevin Durant leads Rockets struggles as stats explain Game 2 loss to Lakers
The Rockets need to give that damn basketball to Kevin Durant more often than they did in Game 2. Despite leading the team with 23 points and 41 minutes, the forward only shot 12 times (7-12 FG, 1-4 3pt). Moreover, Durant added only three points in the second half after excellent start to the game.
This was less than other Rockets stars. Alperen Sengun (20), Jabari Smith Jr. (16), and Tari Eason (14) all attempted more shots despite failing to score in the basket as frequently.
The Rockets are already accused of not playing as a team. The stats give them good reason to study their game again and find ways to get the ball in Durant's hands more often if they want to make a comeback against the Lakers in Game 3.
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