Even as the Houston Rockets were playing their way to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season, it wasn't difficult to see them as a young team that was maybe a year or two away from serious championship contention.

"We're not a developmental team anymore," Rockets general manager Rafael Stone told reporters Monday in his first public comments since the Durant trade.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone says Kevin Durant, even at age 37, brings championship qualities to Houston and worth losing Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks