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Kevin Durant is heading to Houston, and with that, the Rockets are suddenly in the spotlight for the 2026 NBA title. While Oklahoma City still holds the top seed, sportsbooks quickly adjusted their odds after the trade, signaling renewed belief in the Rockets’ potential.
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Houston has made a bold move to chase a championship, pulling off a trade that brought in 37-year-old Kevin Durant. The former MVP now joins a Rockets squad that already finished as the second seed in the West last season, even though they exited the playoffs early in a tight first-round series against Golden State.
As soon as the deal was announced, the betting markets responded. ESPN Bet moved Houston’s title odds from +1800 to +850, giving them a 5.3 percent implied chance. Across other sportsbooks, their odds now average out to +838, which places them firmly in the league’s top four.
| 📊 Sportsbook | 🔥 Odds to Win | 📈 Confidence Meter | 💬 Rank Among Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | +750 | ██████████▊ 9.5/10 | 2nd |
| BetMGM | +800 | ██████████▋ 9.3/10 | 2nd |
| Fanatics | +800 | ██████████▋ 9.3/10 | Tied 2nd |
| Caesars | +800 | ██████████▋ 9.3/10 | 4th |
| Hard Rock Bet | +800 | ██████████▋ 9.3/10 | 4th |
| ESPN Bet | +850 | ██████████▌ 9.0/10 | 2nd |
| FanDuel | +900 | ██████████▍ 8.8/10 | Tied 3rd |
| bet365 | +1000 | ██████████ 8.5/10 | 4th |
Houston also ranks second in odds to win the Western Conference, just behind the Thunder. The Rockets’ new expected starting five now includes Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Before the deal was finalized, oddsmakers saw multiple teams in the mix for Durant. Minnesota, Miami, and San Antonio were considered contenders. But once the Rockets landed him, odd movements reflected shifting expectations. While Houston saw its odds improve, San Antonio lengthened from +1800 to +2200. Miami fell off drastically from +10000 to +25000, and Phoenix plummeted from +20000 to +30000.
Durant did not confirm that he asked for a trade, but he commented on the move just minutes after it was reported. Speaking at Fanatics Fest, he said, “They got what they wanted and I got what I wanted,” adding that Suns fans had “wanted me to go.”
Phoenix had a rough year, ending with a 36-46 record and a coaching change. Even so, Durant made a clear impact. The team won 33 of 62 games with him and only three of the 20 games he missed.
There is also growing speculation that Devin Booker could be next. He averaged over 25 points and seven assists last season, but now finds himself on a struggling roster. If Booker pushes for a move, teams around the league will surely be lining up to make offers.