In the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Tim MacMahon indicated that the Rockets appear reluctant to sign Kevin Durant to a maximum-salary extension — or anything close to it.
“The Rockets aren’t going to 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 (hat tip to HoopsHype). “Now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. But there have been rumblings of, ‘Hey, KD is not going to 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 would panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant on the contract that he’s on, just on the expiring deal.”
Durant will make $54.7MM during the upcoming season on the final year of his current contract. Since the trade to Houston became official on July 6, he has been eligible for a two-year extension worth roughly $118.7MM. Waiting until January 6 would allow him to tack on nearly $2MM to his maximum extension value.
For what it’s worth, one source Kurt Helin of NBC Sports spoke to at Summer League suggested Durant might accept an extension for around $100MM over two years.
Houston was reported as one of Durant’s preferred destinations when Phoenix was going through the trade process, so the possibility of him leaving after one season may be minimized. Because they obtained him in a trade, the Rockets would hold full Bird rights on Durant if he does become a free agent next summer. He’ll remain extension-eligible all season and could sign as late as June 30, 2026 to avoid free agency.
Brian Windhorst of the Hoop Collective points out that general manager Rafael Stone has been cautious about overextending his resources. Most of his signings have been short-term, including recent deals with Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith, and the long-term contracts he gave to Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. are viewed as good values around the league.
Windhorst adds that the Rockets seem to be prioritizing financial flexibility for the summer of 2027. VanVleet’s new contract covers two seasons, while Finney-Smith only has two years of guaranteed money. Smith and Steven Adams will both see their salaries decline after the 2026/27 season.
On the same podcast, Tim Bontemps credits Stone for “understanding the new economic environment the league is in.” He suggests that Stone’s restraint will help the team better navigate the apron structure once expected extensions for Tari Eason, Amen Thompson and possibly Reed Sheppard eventually kick in.
“The Rockets have done a remarkable job of showing fiscal discipline and restraint all the way through,” Bontemps said. “And I think if they can continue to do that, they’re going to have a real advantage over the competition, because we’ve seen other teams not do that. And I think it’s going to bite them later.”
Rory Maher contributed to this post.
It’s in their best interest to go all in. Why give up all that to get him, what you perceive as the missing piece, and then low ball him? He’s still performing at all elite level.
Because he’s old, he can’t win without Curry, he’s moody and you’re not moving that contract at $62 million a year.
I see your point, but it’s hard to say what they’ll get out of him this year. He’s NBA old and he’s not going to play a whole season. They can always extend him during the season if things are going well, but it will come down to price. If he can still bring max level talent then he could get the max extension. It’s smart of the Rockets to wait and see.
Inj concern would be my guess more than the actual raw numbers
Would take a lot to derail Hou today and they can pivot so easily and so effectively
I hear the concern and its valid but I think Hou is right to (quietly) pound the table for a little slack on the rope. Think they will compromise and we will see a 2 yr ext in Sept training camp with KD for a nice discount off the max and all will be happy happy joy joy for the time being in HOU
I agree. But I would go lower. If he is willing to accept
2 yrs 100 mill. I sign him now. Three year window with KD sounds right to me.
“Three year window” sounds great but I would be very surprised if he lasts three years in Houston. Three in Golden State, under three in Brooklyn, under three in Phoenix. My uneducated guess is he lasts two seasons and gets salary dump traded in the offseason after his second year. Best case scenario, imo.
He left Warriors to follow Bron. And one up him. He wanted teams built around him. Like Bron was doing it. Found out, not as easy as it looks. Bklyn and Phoenix. This Rockets team has already been built. He is the missing piece. I see him only looking to win. At 37 why would he leave this. Rockets are young enough to contend next 10 yrs. Not a big KD guy. I just see this as a great opportunity for him to close out his career winning. Plus he went to Texas U.
I definitely see the Houston Rockets giving him two years $100 million and him finishing his career with them. The organization is in great shape.
One of the best general managers
Rafael Stone
One of the best head coaches
Ime Udoka
One of the best rosters in the NBA.
They have a championship caliber team.
They are great defensively.
They rebound the basketball.
They have great size.
They have plenty depth.
They have shooting.
They have very nice veterans.
They have some very nice young players.
Kevin Durant is in the best situation a Superstar can ask for.
> Kevin Durant is in the best situation a Superstar
> can ask for.
Other than being 37 years old and in decline like everybody else that age not named LeBron.
I agree Rockets have it all. Now they have to show gy playing. KD also takes the pressure off the young guys. So Smith, Thompson, Sheppard, Eason can have big years.
aristotle — I know you can’t help yourself. You should look up KDs conditioning. He like Bron spends a lot of money on his body. And is one top conditioned players since he came in. He is 6’10 240lbs and still looks thin. He has the Mamba Mentality lol. Something real ballers know and appreciate.
They didn’t give up much. Brooks was negative asset. Lotto was something but if Durant gets them to the finals he’ll likely resign for less.
Hard to say Brooks was negative. He brought a defensive toughness that we haven’t had since Olajuwon days.
I agree. Brooks isn’t my favourite player, but he delivered on what they wanted from him, and he also helped a bad team get to the salary cap floor without overpaying young players who hadn’t yet earned it.
The washington wizards could have given u the max 7-8 yrs ago. I don’t know now… too late.. too old now.
This is an odd play at this point, surprised this wasn’t ironed out before the trade took place.
He won’t take the max but would settle for 50mil a year. How generous of him
It may have been promised before the trade – this is just the windbag and crew speculating.
I mean while a lot of the takes you hear from them, and there own knowledge of the game, makes the crew sound sort of like the “casuals” version of NBA insiders. They do seem to have good sourcing though on rumors from team insiders.
Trade him
I thought 2/100 was always very amendable for both sides
Hou can navigate that easily
I’m sure they’d even do the 2/124 next summer if they knew he was 100% healthy and the fit was good (I think it def will be for last part)
The risk they are probably balancing is extending now then a bad multi season inj occurs and they are screwed~ I think both parties will meet in the middle and KD will take the 2/100 before this season opener tips saving Hou 12 M AAV a year on the cap while getting KD one last huge score
Rockets own his Bird rights at end of year.
Who is going to offer KD a max contract. I don’t see this as all about the money like Bron with KD. I see KD wanting another ring. And believes he can get 1-2 in Houston. That’s why I definitely sign him for the 2 yr 100 mill. Why did you give up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Maluach. 100 mill is more than fair for Rockets. Then he can retire a Rocket.
Really, even if Durant doesn’t resign, that trade allowed them to get out of Jalen Green’s contract and swap out Brooks for DFS. Then they can see who’s out there for offense at end of season or resign him at that time.
Crunch, it intrigues me to see such differing assumptions about the value of aging superstars.
> I’m sure they’d even do the 2/124 next
> summer if they knew he was 100% healthy
That would be committing, 2 years in advance, to pay a 39 year old $62M. KD’s year to year performance shows he’s on the same downward trajectory as any other 37 year old not named LeBron. (His shooting numbers belie the deterioration in other aspects of his game, especially his mobility.) He’s no longer a top 10 player, and he’s unlikely to be a top 20 player at 39 years old…and that’s if he’s healthy.
What we’re seeing is the Rockets avoiding risk and increasing their leverage in a future negotiation with KD by postponing that discussion as long as possible. Their position is that KD should earn less, not more, in future years.
Yes and by waiting till next summer they would minimize a ton of Risk in that regard
* My stance is a compromise tho today if 2 yr ext is inked not the full boat – That’s important to note
Nowhere do I state full ext today at max
I think I follow.
IMO, the Rockets are hoping to get under $50M for years 2 and 3. As in, they’re building in expectation of declining performance and availability, and not of KD continuing at current levels.
Houston should max out at $35M. He’s old and his skills have already declined immensely. Especially on defense, and off ball.
Ya think? They know his career is near the end – has been in steady decline for 3 or 4 years and they are just hoping he has one decent year left. Plus once he signed a deal he’d immediately become a cancer.
KD is not your typical 37 yr old player. I agree 40 yrs old is a big number to resign a player. Even for just a good contract. KD is one best conditioned players of his generation. Just look at last yrs stats. On a terrible team. The Rockets are a team. They aren’t dependent on KD to win. They will win as a deep team. KD just has to play his part. Consistent scoring. And closing out scoring. Fact that should make his life easier in Houston. Remember these players are still getting better. Smith and Thompson are future stars just getting started. KD is in the right place imo.
KD is a top 12-15 player of all-time. At 37 years old, he’s also following a downward trajectory, as prescribed by Father Time. KD loses a little every year, including his availability. He missed the last 8 games last year for Phoenix, keeping them out of the playoffs.
KD’s shooting remains strong, but all of us who watch him see him moving more slowly, making him a less complete player, especially defensively. He’s still a Top 10 player offensively, but, overall, he’s not a top 15 player anymore.