The Charlotte Hornets' whirlwind of an offseason spelled bad news for Josh Okogie, as there was no more spot left on the roster for him. However, it didn't take long for the defensive-minded forward to find a home. He has reportedly signed with the Houston Rockets, the new home of Kevin Durant.
It seems to be a case of the rich getting richer because the Rockets already have a stacked, versatile roster. Adding Okogie to the mix should only help the squad create a defensive juggernaut, especially after also stealing Dorian Finney-Smith from the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this offseason.
This might be the best supporting cast Durant has had in years. He did play with another superstar, Devin Booker, on the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately for him, the Suns were unable to give him the necessary help, losing out on their Bradley Beal gamble and even giving up assets in desperate attempts to land role players.
Among the players Phoenix acquired last season were former Hornets Nick Richards, whom it belatedly realized just cannot be relied upon to anchor the paint effectively, Cody Martin, and Vasilije Micic. None of them made an impact for the Suns, and they might have even helped hasten Durant's desire to seek a new home.
Josh Okogie will be different from the former Hornets Kevin Durant had played with
Things will be different for the two-time champion this time around, though. It's worth noting that the Rockets were able to clinch the No. 2 seed in the 2025 playoffs even without a superstar, and they didn't have to give up much in the Durant blockbuster deal. Another reason he should be happy in Space City is that he will be playing alongside a stud in Okogie.
The 26-year-old didn't get to spend much time in Charlotte, although his short stint with the Hive proved that he can be a difference-maker primarily on defense and also a bit on offense. However, what sets him apart from the former Hornets Durant shared the floor with last season is his motor, as Okogie doesn't appear to need much to stay motivated to play at a high level.
The thing is, with Houston's depth and lack of offensive creators, Okogie likely won't get much playing time. He probably would have been better off had he been given the fortune of staying in Charlotte. But he was an unfortunate casualty of the Hornets' youth movement and asset acquisition strategy. The Hive might miss the veteran, though, if its perimeter defense suffers from the lack of capable point-of-attack and wing defenders.