Playoff series outcome could decide Kevin Durant's next team

The first weekend of the NBA Playoffs is officially in the books - and if you are a Phoenix Suns fan - it was no fun at all. It is hard to know which is more dispiriting, the fact that the team aren't taking part in the postseason, or that it's probably for the best that they're at home because they would have been smoked by the Western Conference field.

Of all the series that are taking place right now, the one that Suns fans surely have the most interest in is the two-seven matchup between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. There are many links to the past, present and future of Suns basketball in there, and it is looking more and more like a lose-lose scenario for the Suns after the Warriors took a 1-0 series lead.

A Rockets loss could make them go all-in for Kevin Durant.

It is no secret that Kevin Durant has likely played his last game in The Valley. An ankle sprain ruling him out of the last handful of games, in what feels like an apt way to end his tenure in Phoenix. Going out with a whimper, just like the team did in winning 36 games all season long. The Rockets had emerged as one of the legitimate suitors for Durant, and with good reason.

They have plenty of first round picks - including several that belong to the Suns - plus a load of young players that they could put together to make a deal work. From their perspective the only reason not to do this, was if they went on a deep playoff run and were actually a lot closer to true contention than people thought.

Then the Warriors came along and painfully exposed their biggest flaw, and it is one Durant could really help with. Although the Rockets have plenty of young and athletic players who can swarm you defensively - not to mention brutes such as Steven Adams - the one thing they really lack is a closer.

Jalen Green certainly thought he was that guy, but a 3-of-16 showing against Golden State ended that debate quickly. Fred VanVleet has his moments - but as we saw when he was with the Toronto Raptors - he is at his best operating in the space created by a superstar. Durant fits that bill - and had he been in this series - the Rockets might just have won the opening game.

Obviously a lot can change and perhaps Houston figures out a way to win this series - but on the basis of one game - that is going to be a struggle. The Warriors simply know how to win these games, and the addition of Jimmy. Butler only improved them in that area. Not that it is easy to cheer for the Warriors here either, considering the Suns themselves made a big push to try and get Butler.

Should the Rockets go home early - with their lack of offensive firepower painfully exposed - then the Suns may be able to push up the price for Durant. He might be 36-years-old, but the problems in Phoenix weren't on him this season. He remains an incredible scorer - and for the Rockets right now - appears to be the difference between winning and losing a series. That's priceless.