Kevin Durant Is Still Elite So Why Does No One Thrive With Him?

Kevin Durant Is Still Elite So Why Does No One Thrive With Him?

Author: Locked On Podcast Network September 18, 2026 Duration: 27:20

Are the Houston Rockets wasting Kevin Durant’s prime? Matt Moore and Haize debate Durant’s current NBA standing, questioning whether he remains an elite centerpiece or if chemistry issues with Alperen Sengun and uncertainty around his leadership limit the team’s championship upside. The duo dives into Durant’s incredible shooting stats, the challenge of elevating teammates, and what it will take for the Rockets’ young core—including Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.—to truly contend.

Keyonte George’s massive $157.5 million extension with the Utah Jazz sparks conversation about the team’s salary structure and rising stars like Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Darryn Peterson. The episode wraps with a candid look at the soaring cost of attending NBA games, dissecting ticket and concession pricing, how third-party operations impact fans, and what the league must do to keep the next generation of families in the stands.

 

Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 Kevin Durant’s NBA Fit
    Discussion on Kevin Durant’s current status in the league, his strengths, limitations as a leader, and his fit with the Houston Rockets, including team chemistry and possible futures.
  • 12:44 Keontae George Extension Analysis
    Deep dive into Keontae George’s new contract with the Utah Jazz, implications for roster building, financial strategy under the CBA, and Jazz young core outlook.
  • 17:13 NBA Game Pricing Debate
    Conversation about the rising cost of attending NBA games for families, how concessions, parking, and third-party vendors influence pricing, and potential solutions to make games more affordable.

 

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at 
https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at
https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod
 

FanDuel
Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days.  Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


Locked On NBA-Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association is the definitive daily audio destination for fans who want to stay connected to the league's relentless pace. Hosted by a rotating team of local experts including Matt Moore, Haize, and Doug Branson, this podcast delivers concise, informed conversation that cuts through the noise. Each episode packs the latest news, trade rumors, strategic analysis, and insider perspectives into a focused thirty-minute format, ensuring you get a comprehensive league-wide update without the fluff. Beyond the daily digest, the companion Game Night show commits to an "Every Game, Every Night" philosophy, with dedicated analysts breaking down the action from every single contest throughout the week. The result is a layered listening experience that offers both the big-picture narrative and the granular details of nightly performances. Tune in for the informed, passionate dialogue that feels like a conversation with the most knowledgeable fans in the room. This isn't just another sports podcast; it's a daily ritual for anyone whose basketball fandom demands constant, reliable, and engaging coverage from tip-off to the final buzzer.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association
Podcast Episodes
Predicting Victor Wembanyama’s ENTIRE NBA Career [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:08
Wes, Matt and Haize project Victor Wembanyama’s career and predict his first MVP, identify the weakest links among NBA championship contenders, and debate which current stars’ games will age best and worst.
Game Night: Which Team Is Under the MOST PRESSURE This Season?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:20
On this edition of Locked On NBA Game Night, Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) and David Ramil (Locked On Heat) break down the teams in the NBA that they think are under the most pressure this season. The guys talk about…
What Do the Clippers OWE Their Fans After the Kawhi Scandal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
What do the Los Angeles Clippers owe their fans after the Kawhi Leonard scandal? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize revisit the fallout and debate whether Clippers ownership and the front office need to provide real answ…
What If Every Western Conference Team Could ERASE One Contract? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
The NBA Amnesty experiment moves West. Wes, Matt and Haize determine which Western Conference teams would erase a contract, which players could unexpectedly hit free agency and whether escaping the second apron would con…
What If Every NBA Team Could ERASE One Contract? (Eastern Conference) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
What if the NBA brought back the amnesty clause? Wes, Matt and Haize go team-by-team through the Eastern Conference to determine who would use it, which contracts would disappear and whether a star like Joel Embiid could…