The Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant haven’t yet reached a contract agreement for beyond the 2025-26 NBA season, but it doesn’t mean that one isn’t coming.
Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Rockets and Durant have had discussions about a new contract, and “there is belief they will come to terms, sources said.”
Advertisement
However, as indicated by ESPN colleague Tim MacMahon, such a contract probably needs to be below the NBA’s maximum salary (for Durant, that would be approximately $121 million over two additional years).
The Rockets are being cautious with future payrolls and attempting to avoid many of the punitive team-building restrictions placed on expensive teams under the NBA’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). That is particularly important for a 2027-28 season in which rising star Amen Thompson will likely be on the financial books at a much higher salary.
Durant, like (LeBron) James, is no longer viewed as a centerpiece, as Houston builds around a young core of players it acquired through the draft.
The Rockets view Durant as a final component, a veteran who graduates them into true contender status, while they manage taking care of core players such as Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, both of whom signed large contracts this summer, and Alperen Sengun, a 2025 All-Star who signed a big deal the summer of 2024. But there is also Amen Thompson and Tari Eason to consider, two young players who are in position to be paid new deals over the next year.
In the end, Durant might need to accept less than a maximum contract, which he has been on since 2011, if he wants to stay in Houston.
Fortunately for the Rockets, all indications are that Durant does want to stay, as evidenced by the All-Star forward working behind the scenes to leverage a trade to Houston earlier this summer.
Advertisement
Thus, as Windhorst said, there is a belief that a deal will be reached. The question is when.
More: What figure can Rockets, Kevin Durant agree to for his next contract?
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN: ‘There is a belief’ that Rockets, Kevin Durant will extend deal