To Windhorst’s point, the Rockets finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the West last season, and that was with an elite defense and a mediocre offense. By adding Durant, who remains an All-Star forward with elite scoring, it would significantly improve Houston’s biggest weakness.

As the Houston Rockets pursue a difference-making scorer to elevate them in the Western Conference hierarchy next season, they appear to be willing to engage the Phoenix Suns in a staring contest about the asking price for Kevin Durant.

With the NBA Finals going seven games, don't bet on a resolution to the Kevin Durant trade circus before Monday — the league does not want a trade upstaging Game 7. Not that a deal was imminent anyway,