Thunder Third Young Master Guesthouse? Harden and Westbrook both failed, it’s the big brother this time!

This year's offseason, I thought it would be a soap drama "Where Durant Goes", but as soon as the plot started, the Rockets spoiled in advance. Durant switched to the Rockets, in exchange for Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks, with the 10th pick in 2025, plus 5 future second round picks, and a wave of 8 for one big deal, the Rockets started to bet once again.

also made a coincidental plot because of this deal: the third young master of the Thunder eventually became the core of the Rockets.

From Harden to Westbrook, and now Durant, the talent that the Thunder failed to realize in those years has now rekindled hope in Houston in another form.

Recalling the 2012th, the Thunder reached the finals but lost to the Heat led by James. But at that time, the three young men with explosive talents, Durant, Westbrook and Harden, were still considered the hope of the league's future. It’s just that the ideal is full and the reality is skinny. As the contract year arrives, problems follow one after another. Durant and Westbrook both need maximum salary, and Harden wants it too, but the Thunder can't give that much. The gap between 56 million and 60 million has become the watershed for Harden to leave the team. The Rockets were rebuilding at the time, and they immediately rushed forward as soon as they saw the opportunity. With a contract and full of sincerity, they started the years of prosperity with Harden. It turns out that this is an epoch-making deal. Harden became a superstar in the Rockets, winning MVP, grabbing the scoring champion, and even almost knocking the Warriors off the horse.

In 2019, Harden has become the Rockets' absolute core, but the team has never been able to cross the threshold of the finals. So the good brother Westbrook came. Harden's words "I am willing to give up part of his ball rights" also touched many fans at one time. So the Rockets' senior executives acted quickly, sent Chris Paul to the Thunder, and brought Westbrook to Houston.

But the dream finally lost to reality. The two played in conflict, the rhythm was wrong, and the running-in failed. Although he had a hard time winning the first round, he had no power to fight back in the series against the Lakers. As soon as the season ended, the two brothers were sent to the Wizards and the other fought against the Nets. This brotherly love was still unable to withstand the pressure of reality.

Time is coming to 2025. After several years of reconstruction of hell, the Rockets finally ushered in spring. After Uduka arrived, the team scored second in the West, and the young players each flourished and became one of the most promising teams in the league. But the problem is also very realistic. This young team lacks ability to attack in the playoffs. Especially Jaylen Green, who was originally highly expected, scored single digits in three games in the series against the Warriors. Such a performance ultimately made the Rockets determined to strengthen.

So, when the Suns heard that they might trade Durant, the Rockets took action without hesitation. They took out the most valuable chips just to get a real champion scorer.

And Durant should be quite satisfied with the deal. When he learned about the deal, he appeared at the Fanatics Fest event in New York and laughed directly in front of the camera. It is obvious that he himself knows that this is another strong team capable of winning the championship immediately.

In a sense, this is also a sequel to the third young master of Thunder many years later. When Harden joined the Rockets, the team was still at its lowest point; when Westbrook came, it was the team's last bet moment; and now it was Durant's turn, the Rockets were standing at a critical juncture to launch an attack on the championship.

The three people who once fought side by side came to their respective career nodes and walked the same path just to chase the championship they failed to win in the Thunder.

Looking back now, if Thunder was willing to grit his teeth and keep Harden in 2012, maybe the third young master could really play a legend, but unfortunately there is no if in history. And now, there is only one last question left: Can the elder brother Durant do what Harden did not do and Westbrook did not do?