HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets were eliminated from the 2025–26 NBA playoffs on Friday after a 98-78 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round series, ending their season and prompting early offseason speculation about the team’s roster.
Forward Kevin Durant has emerged as a subject of trade discussion following the loss, with uncertainty surrounding his future in Houston. A proposed scenario by Bleacher Report suggested a potential deal involving the Miami Heat.
In the proposal, Miami would acquire Durant in exchange for guard Tyler Herro and forward Nikola Jovic. The report cited Durant’s continued production and experience as factors that could strengthen Miami’s offensive system alongside center Bam Adebayo.
The same proposal suggested Herro could provide Houston with a scoring guard option alongside players such as Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet. Herro has averaged at least 20 points and five assists per game over multiple seasons.
The Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals twice with Herro as a key contributor but were eliminated in the first round of the previous postseason by the Cleveland Cavaliers and did not qualify for the playoffs the year before.
No trade discussions have been confirmed by the teams, and the scenario remains speculative as the NBA offseason approaches.
