The Rockets aren’t rushing to lock down Durant this summer
Houston has bigger priorities right now than extending Kevin Durant’s contract. The team is focusing instead on securing Tari Eason with a rookie extension before the October 21 deadline.
“There’s not a sense of urgency to get it done right now. The Rockets have other business that they need to handle this summer,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday.
“Primarily, the extension for Tari Eason. It was a big splash; it was a potential final piece that they needed to be a real-deal contender, that go-to guy they were sorely missing last season.”
Durant, who turns 37 in September, will make a whopping $54.7 million next season. That’s the final year of his four-year, $194.21 million deal that he originally signed with the Nets back in 2021.
The money situation gets complicated quickly. If Durant gets a two-year extension starting at $57.4 million and Eason also signs his rookie extension, Houston would cross into second-apron territory for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Without an extension, Durant could walk away after just one season with the Rockets.
“They didn’t push all their chips in; they were very patient as far as the pursuit of a trade for Kevin Durant. They waited until the price was at a value that they felt was comfortable for them,” MacMahon explained.
“Kevin Durant’s their best player, he’s not necessarily their priority. That’s not an insult to him, but their priority is making sure they have as long of a runway as possible while trying to cash in on this window that they created by getting Kevin Durant.”
Don’t expect a max deal for KD
Even if the Rockets do offer Durant an extension this summer, it probably won’t be the full two-year, $122 million max he could get.
“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,” MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective podcast.
“Now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but there’ve been rumblings KD’s not gonna push for the full max. I don’t know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that’s close to the max. I think the Rockets are – like it’s not ideal – but 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.”
Houston landed Durant in a massive seven-team trade on July 6. They sent away Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks as the main pieces in the deal with Phoenix.
Durant was still playing at an elite level last season. In 62 games with the Suns, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting an impressive 52.7% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
The Rockets clearly value what KD brings to the court. They’re just not ready to commit long-term to a player who’ll be pushing 40 by the end of his next contract.
