The Raptors were not going to trade for Kevin Durant. It was an appealing idea, in a way: The NBA’s Eastern Conference is falling apart in real time, and an accelerated timeline could be appealing. Durant turns 37 this year and his $51.2-million (U.S.) salary is an obelisk, but he’s still the guy the Americans went to at the Paris Olympics when they had to get a bucket. He’s still Kevin Durant.
But the fit wasn’t there. Beyond age, beyond timeline, beyond salary, the Raptors are full of unknown elements, and won’t be ready-made contenders with one big move. Houston? Houston’s closer. So Durant is a Rocket, maybe for life, and Houston hopes this is their Kawhi Leonard deal.
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