What if Kevin Durant returned to Texas?

What if K.D. and The Beard were reunited and draped in red instead of blue?

What would it be like if an absolutely roaring Toyota Center didn't belong just to James Harden and Dwight Howard but to three shining superstar Rockets forming a triumvirate with power the NBA has never seen?

We'll know if the hypothetical has a shot at being real in July.

But know this for certain in early November, with the still-figuring-it-out Rockets stuck at 1-3 and 78 regular-season games remaining before they can even reach another playoff test: Durant to Houston is already at the top of the dream board.

The Rockets want him, but of course they can't say it. But you know they will do everything they reasonably can to land the six-time All-Star, 2013-14 MVP and former Longhorns great. And as with the shocking Harden trade and the Howard signing, they shouldn't be counted out until Durant decides whether he's staying in Oklahoma City or leaving for a bigger, grander stage.

"The thing with Houston which I've always admired," said former NBA executive Bobby Marks, "it doesn't matter where they are cap-wise - they've got room; they don't have room - but every single summer, they always have a seat at the table for free agency."

Room to maneuver

The Rockets won't simply have an open spot. They'll have cash and flexibility. They'll have a short-term vision (NBA championship) and long-term sights (more championships). And if it all works and multiple moves click at once - just like they did when Ty Lawson, Harden and Howard suddenly showed up Monday night in downtown Houston - the Rockets could re-sign D12 and ink OKC's current No. 35 in a single crazy summer.

Of course, there will be the small-market proud, annually dangerous Thunder, who have the ridiculously talented Russell Westbrook under contract through 2017 and a strong eight-season relationship with Durant to stand on. And K.D.'s hometown Wizards. And probably the Lakers, Mavericks and any other high-rolling team that can pay for a LeBron James to South Beach type of instant contender infusion as a soaring salary cap approaches $90 million and the league starts to rake in huge new TV money.

But the potential of Durant in Rockets red already makes basketball and fiscal sense. And don't think Harden's ex-teammate - who still has strong ties in Austin and acknowledged Houston feels comfortable - hasn't noticed what owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey have done to the place in the last few years.

"They like to swing for the fence here," said Durant, before gliding onto the Toyota Center hardwood Monday for a standard 29 points, four made 3s, four boards and two blocks during a 110-105 defeat that gave the Rockets their first win of the season.

"They're trying to get a lot of guys here surrounding James," Durant said. "They got some guys, they missed out on a few guys, but they still have a really, really good team. And they built it around James. Their front office and ownership, I'm sure, had him in mind whenever they made moves. They (turned) into a contender."

Exquisite timing

Morey's endless maneuvering has put the Rockets directly in line for Durant during a period when his contract value will temporarily hit 0 at the same time Howard holds a $23.2 million player option for 2016-17, Lawson's final year in red is non-guaranteed, and Harden will be one season away from a $17.7 million team option.

Add in Bird rights for Howard, the recent decision not to extend fourth-year players Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas, and the Rockets' $21.5 million projected payroll in 2017-18 - when the league cap level could reach $108 million - and landing Durant or anyone else of his caliber becomes more logical the longer the vision is stretched out.

"They're able to create room to get players that they want, and they're able to remain competitive for the long haul," Marks said. "The contracts that they've put together, they have a ton of flexibility. … There's not a bad contract on that team."

When Durant's "swing for the fence" line was repeated back to him, the 27-year-old awkwardly smiled, put his head down and paused.

His lips are sealed

Durant knows he can't win by saying anything non-OKC about his immediate future. And one of the game's greatest and most genuine stars has already watched All-World colleagues such as Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, James and Howard get dissected and shredded while fans and media spent months overanalyzing every word, action and tweet.

Durant's too self-aware for a Dwightmare. But he's a week away from returning to Washington, D.C., and the season-long questions have only begun.

"I try to focus on who we have in this locker room and how we can be a better basketball team," said Durant, as Westbrook sat one locker away, softly singing while music blared out of his headphones. "Of course, you see it; you hear it. But you've still got to play the games. … Our league's in a great spot right now. So many great players, great teams, and it should be a fun year."

Just four months ago, the Rockets took a shot at Aldridge. Two summers ago, it was Anthony on the front-door marquee. Before that, the moves that still shake Toyota Center: Harden and Howard, back-to-back, together in brilliant red.

Durant would be the biggest present Morey could ever give Alexander, other than another gold trophy.

The Rockets already are aiming for K.D. Will they create the greatest Big Three we've ever seen?

Check back in July.