Kevin Durant recently revisited one of the NBA’s most intriguing hypothetical scenarios while speaking with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. During their conversation, Durant asked about a rumored trade from the 1984 NBA Draft that might have brought together a trio of future stars, potentially redefining basketball history.
This Kevin Durant NBA trade rumor centers on a deal that could have combined Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, and Clyde Drexler on the same team, creating what some believe would have been the greatest dynasty ever assembled.
A Closer Look at the Near-Trade and Its Implications
In an episode of the Boardroom podcast, Durant directly questioned Olajuwon about whether a trade involving Clyde Drexler and the Rockets’ draft pick had ever been proposed. Olajuwon responded he had only heard about it afterward and had no direct involvement or knowledge at the time.
Durant reacted with enthusiasm to the idea, speculating that if the Rockets had landed Olajuwon, Jordan, and Drexler, they could have won between 10 and 12 NBA championships.
“Yo, the draft, it would have been you, Jordan, and Clyde? Oh My Goodness! That would have been 10, 12 championships. Greatest team of all time,”
Durant stated.
The rumor involves the 1984 NBA Draft, one of the most famous in history, which produced four Hall of Famers: Olajuwon, Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. That year, Houston earned the first pick by winning a coin toss and selected Olajuwon. The Portland Trail Blazers picked second but controversially passed on Jordan, choosing Sam Bowie instead. Jordan was then selected third by the Chicago Bulls.
The circulating trade speculation suggests the Rockets considered trading Ralph Sampson to Portland for Clyde Drexler and the No. 2 overall pick. Had this deal gone through, Houston would have drafted Olajuwon first and Jordan second, creating a powerhouse team alongside Drexler. However, this trade has never been officially confirmed and appears to have never been communicated to Olajuwon himself.
The Enduring Fascination with Basketball’s “What If” Moment
Despite the lack of confirmation, this possible trade has kept fans and analysts intrigued, given the remarkable careers of the players involved. Olajuwon went on to lead the Rockets to two NBA titles, earn two Finals MVP awards, a league MVP, and participate in 12 All-Star games. He maintained a winning record against Jordan in their head-to-head matchups. Drexler was a 10-time All-Star, adding further star power to what might have been a legendary team.
The combined championship total of these three stars stands at nine, making the thought of them sharing the court in Houston a tantalizing alternate history within the NBA. Had the Rockets secured this trio, the dynamics of the league could have shifted dramatically over the next decade or more.
Durant’s discussion of this rumor underscores how compelling such hypothetical scenarios remain, illustrating how a single trade decision might have altered the trajectory of professional basketball and the legacies of some of its greatest athletes.
