Rockets GM Reveals Operations: Durant Trade Poses Tough Decisions, New Season Still a Hunter’s Mindset

On August 23rd Beijing time, Rockets GM Stone appeared on a podcast to unveil the team’s offseason moves, discussing many aspects of the Rockets. This is likely Stone’s most in-depth interview this offseason. Let’s take a look at how he views the Rockets—

Seamless Collaboration with Udoka

Regarding his work with head coach Udoka, Stone emphasized that neither changed the other, but rather they are “complementary partners” with highly aligned philosophies. “Most of the core roster was set before Udoka joined, so rather than learning new player evaluation methods from him, it’s more that we value very similar player traits, and he excels at unlocking players’ potential.”

Stone admitted that as he ages, fundamental changes in his core working methods are difficult, but Udoka perfectly continues the development of players Stone selected—not only recognizing their value but knowing how to nurture and improve them. “His high standards for the team and ability to hold players accountable are crucial. For example, in clutch moments, if a player fails to execute the tactics, no matter who it is, they will be subbed out. This attitude is exactly what we need to build our team culture.”

In Stone’s view, having a coach like Udoka helps the Rockets avoid the single path of “relying on top stars and luck to win a championship.” “There are many ways to win in the NBA, but trying to win by ‘having the best player in the league’ is something only one team out of 30 can achieve, and it’s too reliant on luck. Udoka makes the team greater than the sum of its parts, which is vital for a rebuilding team like ours.”

The Rise of Sengun Is No Accident

The Rockets’ recent first-round draft picks have been impressive, especially Sengun and Eason, who have outperformed the average for their draft position. Speaking about Sengun, Stone revealed that the Rockets traded two first-round picks to acquire him—“We never make bad deals. Sengun was named MVP of the Turkish league at 18, which is one of the top four or five leagues worldwide, filled with professionals earning millions. Winning MVP there proves his potential.”

Stone recalled that Sengun’s development reminded him of Jokic and Doncic—“They also proved themselves in top leagues before shining in the NBA. Due to the pandemic, I couldn’t meet Sengun in person, but watching his game tapes showed he can perform many unique moves, making him a core target for us. After selecting Jalen Green, we kept negotiating with other teams from the sixth pick onward to try and get both young talents, and we were lucky to succeed.”

Difficult Decisions in the Durant Trade

Regarding Kevin Durant’s trade, Stone expressed mixed emotions. “The whole process was long and tough. We knew the asking price a year ago, but it wasn’t reasonable from our perspective. After countless discussions, we finally reached an agreement.”

On the night the trade was completed, Stone did not celebrate. “On one hand, we were very pleased to get Durant; after talking with him, I found he’s a great person. On the other hand, parting with Green and Dillon was hard—they are excellent players. Last season, our young team finished second in the West and fought hard against the Warriors; they contributed a lot.”

Stone admitted that trading Green was especially difficult on a personal level. “These young players are about the same age as my kids. Watching them grow, I want others to invest in my kids’ careers as I do for them. Green always cared deeply about the team, even playing through pain after two and a half hours of treatment. Who wouldn’t love a player like that? But from a basketball standpoint, it was a necessary decision.”

Many Trade Rumors Are Fabricated

Regarding the description of NBA trade negotiations as a “high-stakes card game,” Stone said he felt “neither nervous nor relaxed.”

“The tension portrayed on social media is fake. We’re not trying to read each other’s minds at a poker table; but it’s definitely not easy because the NBA trade market is illiquid, and trades cluster in the week before the deadline or two weeks before the draft. During that time, you have to juggle multiple potential deals at a fast pace.”

More importantly, Stone exposed the exaggeration behind “insider information”: “The Rockets’ management is one of the smallest in sports. Only four people participate in trade discussions, and none of the others talk to the media. Many so-called ‘conversations with Rockets executives’ are fabricated—they might just have chatted with season ticket sales staff, or are completely made up to attract clicks. The worst part is these fabricators face no consequences.”

Stone also stated that Bucks GM Horst made it clear they will not trade Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Hunter Mentality Remains for New Season

The Rockets’ strong performance last season shifted them from “dark horse” to “focus of attention.” With Durant joining for the new season, expectations have soared, and some fans are already dreaming of championship parades. But Stone remains grounded: “We’re still ‘hunters’ because we haven’t won any honors yet and have no right to relax. Although outside perceptions have changed, internally we expected last year’s results, and every loss still stings—we refuse to accept failure. This mindset is built by Udoka and the whole team, and we must maintain it.”

In Stone’s eyes, the team’s competitiveness comes not only from veterans like Durant but also from the young players’ fighting spirit. “Youngsters like Jabari Smith Jr., Eason, and Amen Thompson all have relentless attitudes; VanVleet is one of the toughest players in the NBA, always focused on winning. This summer, everyone trained hard—Amen even practiced boxing with Udoka. They tried to ‘hold back power,’ but both ended up going all out. That kind of energy is exactly what we need.”

Shepherd’s Underrated Athleticism

Speaking about Shepherd, who had limited minutes last season, Stone expressed high hopes: “He found his rhythm mid-season and performed well when given more playing time late in the year, especially offensively. He has unique defensive talents and has been working all summer to improve his consistency and physicality. We hope he can take another step forward next season.”

Stone specifically clarified misconceptions about Shepherd’s athleticism: “People think he’s not NBA-level athletic, which is completely wrong. His vertical jump from standing is 91–99 cm, and over 102 cm with a running start. He’s fast, explosive, and strong. If he develops as we expect, he can fully take on the role of a ‘ball-handler organizer’—he has great passing vision and is not just a shooter. I picked him mainly for his ball-handling value.”

Rejecting Offseason Trophies

At the end of the interview, Stone emphasized that offseason moves are just the beginning. “No trophies are awarded for the offseason; every team starts at 0-0 each year and must earn victories on the court. Teams that think ‘success will come automatically’ often face tough seasons.”

Today’s Rockets have a championship-level veteran in Durant and young players like Sengun and Amen Thompson continuing to grow, drawing increasing attention. But Stone and the team maintain the humility and hunger of hunters—as he said: “The Rockets’ story is still being written. Our job is to keep working hard and live up to our fans’ expectations.”