Rockets must resist urge to overpay for an aging star

Ime Udoka has turned the Houston Rockets around. They've gone from a middling team that was squandering a prime rebuilding opportunity to a team that finished second in the Western Conference. 

The Rockets are still developing. They will be a contending team in the near future. 

However, following Houston's Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, GM Rafael Stone must resist the urge to overpay for a veteran star this summer. 

Kevin Durant has been linked with the Rockets in recent months. And while he would raise their ceiling, he would be a short-term fix. 

To get Durant through the door, the Rockets would need to part with multiple members of their rotation. Jalen Green would likely be the player heading in the opposite direction. The Phoenix Suns could also push for Jabari Smith or even Amen Thompson. 

ESPN's Bobby Marks believes the Rockets should cautiously approach a Durant trade. Houston should know what it is, and isn't, willing to give up.

“Do you need to go out and get a superstar?” Marks said on Monday. “I would be cautious about that. I think if you're going to go out and get a Kevin Durant, it's a watered-down package. Would you give them their ninth pick back and their unprotected pick in ‘27 and then Jalen Green, and you know, fillers? I would. I wouldn't touch Jabari Smith, and I wouldn't touch certainly Amen Thompson, and I'm not touching Sengun. You know, you basically have to kind of draw a line in the sand as far as what's available and what's not available.”