The race for Kevin Durant is already starting even before the season. Every team wants to make their case.
The Houston Rockets is one of the underrated teams in the KD sweepstakes. They are already a contender, they have James Harden, who is still one of Durant's best friends and they have the Texas factor, where KD played college.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey always envisioned the Rockets to have a "big three" and they have tried to complete the cast for the past two summers pursuing Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Next summer, it will be Durant on their radar.
Marc Stein of ESPN reported last year that Durant is part of their long term plan.
"(In the summer of 2016), sources say, the Rockets would like to give Harden an opportunity to serve as Houston's lead recruiter in the pursuit of a free agent named Kevin Wayne Durant."
The Rockets made it to the Conference Finals in a ridiculously loaded Western Conference with Harden and Howard. Adding Durant to that team would definitely make them a contender, if not the favorite. But is it possible?
Bleacher Report believes it is, and it's hard to count out Morey in this regard. However, there are real challenges as Dwight Howard has a player option that could make him a free agent. But if push comes to shove and they have to make choices, B/R thinks they can let Howard walk.
"Not that Howard is a lock to return if he hits the open market," B/R reasoned. "He'll be 30 years old, and the Rockets have a promising rim protector in Clint Capela with which to supplant him. Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas also qualify as stretch 5s and will be eligible for extensions in 2016."
It might not be the Big Three they have envisioned but it can still work. Hoops Habit however, suggested that the Rockets could have both Howard and Harden.
"The first step would be to renounce Terrence Jones' qualifying offer. Next, they would have to find someone willing to take on Trevor Ariza's contract."
Ariza is still an asset and there's also the Philadelphia 76ers who still need to reach the cap minimum.
"The final step would be to waive Ty Lawson. Upon joining the Rockets, Lawson agreed to make the final year of his contract unguaranteed. The Rockets could use this to clear up to $13.2 million from their books. If they like what they see in Lawson, they could then re-sign him later for a cheaper price, albeit on a longer contract."
Of course, ideally they could also convince Howard to exercise his player option and re-sign for a lower price than his $ 23 million, extended long-term, but few believe D12 would be up for that.
If the Rockets succeed in executing these steps, or other creative ways to get around the cap, a roster with Durant, Harden and Howard, possibly with Lawson still around makes them the title favorites.