The Rockets aren’t rushing to max out Durant after blockbuster trade
Houston appears hesitant to offer Kevin Durant a full two-year, $122 million extension after acquiring the superstar in a massive trade this summer.
“The Rockets aren’t gonna go all-in, by all appearances and by what I’ve heard, they’re not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed on The Hoop Collective podcast.
The team seems comfortable with the possibility of Durant playing out his current deal.
“I don’t think they’d panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he’s on, just on the expiring,” MacMahon added.
Houston landed Durant in early July as part of a mind-boggling seven-team trade, sending away Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in the process.
The aging superstar turns 37 next month but remains one of the league’s elite scorers.
Durant is entering the final season of a four-year, $194 million contract he originally signed with Brooklyn, carrying a massive $54.7 million cap hit for 2025-26.
While the Rockets can extend Durant anytime before he hits free agency in 2026, they’re weighing several factors in their decision.
His age is obviously a concern. So is money.
If Houston gives Durant the max extension starting at $57.4 million and also extends young forward Tari Eason, they’d cross into the dreaded “second apron” of the salary cap in 2026-27. That would trigger harsh roster-building penalties that could hamstring the team’s flexibility.
But keeping Durant happy might trump those concerns.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in June that “the goal right now for Kevin Durant and the Rockets is for him to retire in Houston.”
Durant apparently loves the team’s young core.
“I’m told, players like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard. And Kevin Durant really views himself here. It’s a perfect fit in a lot of ways,” Charania said.
The 15-time All-Star joins a Rockets squad that shocked everyone last season, finishing 52-30 and grabbing the West’s second seed.
Even in his late 30s, Durant should provide the scoring punch and veteran leadership this young team needs to make a serious playoff push.
