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HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Kevin Durant #7 and Fred Vanvleet #5 of the Houston Rockets sit on the bench during the second quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets had a disappointing finish to their season. Losing to the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs is not what they had in mind. Kevin Durant ended up missing five of the six games in the series.

Durant was brought in during an offseason trade to help with the team’s offensive woes. Despite being 37 years old, he is still an elite scorer. This season, he averaged 26 points on 52 percent shooting and over 41 percent from beyond the 3-point line.

Yet, Durant also served as a significant source of distraction around the trade deadline. In fact, a report says that the social media burner scandal was a big issue.

The Houston Rockets Couldn’t Get Past the Kevin Durant Burner Scandal

According to Sam Amick and William Guillory of The Athletic, league sources deemed that the burner scandal was a “significant distraction” for the Rockets.

“Several league sources with close ties to Rockets players indicated the social media situation was a significant distraction, one that was never truly resolved internally. Durant never discussed the matter in any detail publicly, saying only that he was “not here to get into Twitter nonsense.” Privately, league sources said his teammates agreed to keep the matter in-house while focusing on basketball. It is unclear whether Durant ever clarified to his teammates if the account belonged to him.”

It seems that the distraction could have played a part in the Rockets’ inability to beat the Lakers. Durant also wasn’t on the bench for Game 3, which served as another distraction. It seems that the vibes were never quite right for this team, which is something that followed Durant from the Suns.

Houston needed Durant to be elite in the postseason. He is by far their best offensive weapon. Despite his age, Durant is still someone who can get any shot he wants. That’s valuable for a team to have, especially one that struggles in the half-court as Houston does.

Houston has Big Offseason Decisions to Make

The Rockets have to make some tough decisions in the offseason on the heels of this first-round loss. Clearing up this Durant scandal internally will certainly need to happen. There could also be a coaching change coming. Ime Udoka seemed to falter down the stretch.

They also have some decisions to make on players, including Amen Thompson. He is owed a contract extension, and it will be an expensive one. Of course, the Rockets also have the requisite number of assets to make a big offseason trade, if they so choose to.

Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the obvious trade target. He is going to command a bidding war, and the Bucks will be incentivized to wait until they get the best one possible. Houston has a compelling combination of young players and picks that could make for the best deal.