Kevin Durant takes $30M pay cut in new Rockets deal
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has signed a two-year, $90 million contract extension, with a player option for 2027-28, according to his business partner Rich Kleiman who shared the news with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday.
The deal is $30 million less than the maximum Durant could have received.
Kleiman explained that Durant deliberately took less money to give the Rockets more “team-building flexibility” going forward. The 37-year-old superstar was eligible for a $120 million maximum extension but chose to leave money on the table to help the team’s future plans.
This new contract pushes Durant past LeBron James to become the highest-paid player in NBA history. His career earnings now total a staggering $598.2 million, surpassing James’s $583.9 million.
Durant will make $54.7 million next season, the final year of his current four-year, $194.21 million deal that he originally signed with Brooklyn in 2021.
In total, he’s now locked in for three years and $144.7 million with Houston.
How Durant Landed in Houston
The Rockets brought Durant to Houston in July through what became the largest trade in NBA history.
The massive seven-team deal sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 10th overall pick Khaman Maluach, and second-rounders Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to Phoenix.
Durant’s on-court impact remains elite despite his age. Last season with the Suns, he averaged 26.6 points while shooting an incredible 52.7% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
The 15-time All-Star has put together a remarkable streak that nobody in NBA history has matched – averaging at least 25 points on 50% shooting and 40% from three for three straight seasons.
He’s also climbing the all-time scoring list. Durant currently ranks eighth in NBA career points and could pass both Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki this season if he scores at least 990 points.
What’s Next for the Rockets?
With Durant’s deal done, Houston now turns its attention to Tari Eason, who has until October 21 to sign a rookie extension.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks had previously reported that if Durant signed for the maximum amount and Eason also got extended, the Rockets would hit the second apron of the luxury tax in 2026-27. Durant’s decision to take less money gives the team more financial breathing room.
Eason showed real promise last season, averaging career-highs with 12 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting a career-best 48.7% from the field.
The Rockets begin their 2025-26 season on October 21 with a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
