PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 22: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arwen Clemans/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets are two teams currently in a similar position. Both teams are on the verge of being eliminated in the first round of the postseason, and both teams will face some major questions – and potential changes – should that be their fate.

Perhaps there’s a world where the two teams end up swapping pieces over the offseason.

Could the 76ers Look Into Trading for Kevin Durant Over the Offseason?

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2026 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

A recent report from Michael Pina of The Ringer suggests that the Rockets could potentially look to move on from veteran forward Kevin Durant over the offseason, and Pina named the Sixers as a team that could have interest in Durant, along with a plethora of others.

Durant has two years remaining on his current contract, including a $46 million player option for the 2027-28 season. However, given the way things have played out for him this season in Houston, the Rockets could look to move on after the season.

“The Rockets thought that KD was their missing piece, and instead, there’s a chance they’ll turn him into a stepping stone this summer. It turns out that your best player shouldn’t also be a mercenary,” Pina wrote.

“But despite that, the Heat, Timberwolves, Blazers, Mavericks, Pistons, Knicks, Raptors, Hawks, Magic, Lakers, Nuggets, Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, Warriors, Pacers, Jazz, Sixers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers would all have varying degrees of interest—pending how the rest of these playoffs go.”

That report is basically saying that like half of the league would be interested in Durant if he were made available via trade, which isn’t a surprise, so it’s not like some exclusive, breaking story. But, it’s still interesting that the Sixers are mentioned nonetheless.

Change Could be on the Horizon for Both 76ers, Rockets

GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets brings the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey loves trying to acquire stars, and lading Durant would be an avenue to try to capitalize on a the remaining years of Joel Embiid’s prime, and contract.

Landing Durant in a trade would likely require Paul George to be involved in the deal in order to make the salaries work, though that likely wouldn’t be prohibitive for Philadelphia. Swapping out George’s current contract for Durant’s would be a swap that the Sixers would be willing to make.

This is obviously all hypothetical at this point. We don’t know that the Rockets will even make Durant available via trade over the offseason, and we don’t know that the Sixers would be interested if they did.

But it’s undeniable that the Sixers and Rockets could both be on the verge of major change over the offseason, and that change could include a roster shakeup for both teams.