The Rockets and Kevin Durant haven’t yet come to terms on an extension following the Rockets’ trade for the 36-year-old former MVP.
While there has been speculation that Houston is unlikely to offer Durant a full max deal and that the star forward is comfortable heading into the season without a new contract in place, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that there is a belief that the two sides will, in fact, come to terms on an extension sooner or later.
Windhorst cites a source that confirms the two sides have had discussions about an extension and believes such a deal will materialize, though he reiterates that Durant may need to take a deal less than the max to stay a Rocket long-term.
Durant is still a massively talented player, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 62 games last season while shooting 43% from three and earning his 15th All-Star nod. However, Windhorst writes that rather than seeing Durant as the centerpiece of their team, the Rockets view him as the final puzzle piece meant to turn their already highly talented roster, which secured the No. 2 seed in the West last season, into a true contender.
The Rockets signed Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year extension and re-upped Fred VanVleet on a one-plus-one deal this summer. They also signed Alperen Sengun to a five-year extension last summer. Meanwhile, Tari Eason is currently extension-eligible, and Amen Thompson will follow suit in 2026. The team will likely need to be deliberate with its spending to avoid crowding its books in a way that makes it prohibitively expensive to keep the core together.
2025-26 Houston Rockets……………
54.5 wins
OVER? Or UNDER?
Id say they hit 56. Thunder ab 60, Mavs ab 51, Timberwolves probably 52, spurs 46
Your failing to list the Nuggets makes you look scared.
Under, Durant will miss at least 10-15 games and now that they traded Green they won’t have anyone that can create their shot when he sits.
Green created misses. So who cares.
@The Chosen
It’s really hard to predict, since almost every team in the West looks likely to have improved, while they should pick up a few more wins in the 41 games vs the weakest east in years.
On top of that, it’s unclear how Ime is going to manage the roster. The media claims they’re going to start 3 guys who are at least 6’10” in the frontcourt and I’m not sure that’s going to work defensively (if that actually happens).
Then, there’s the chemistry issue and how KD’s isoball style will fit with the rest of the Rockets, and ofc as we saw last season he’ll miss around 20 games.
So considering all of that, I’ll take the under.
Each team plays 30 games against teams from the other conference (1 home and 1 away), and 52 games against teams from their own conference (either 3 or 4 against each opponent).
Houston were 21-9 vs the East last season, they can maybe find a couple more wins, but there isn’t a huge margin there.
Last year, the win percentage was East 44.9% – West 55.1%. Which is not that low in historic context. We’ll see how it goes in 25-26.
link to basketball-reference.com
It’s not just that Western teams mostly got better. It’s that we know that Washington, Brooklyn and probably Charlotte are going to tank from day 1. In the West, the only team doing that is going to be Utah.
In the West, more teams don’t own their frp (Phoenix, New Orleans (from that trade with Atlanta), LAC, Houston), there are also complex swaps. And even though some of those teams do not project to be competing for big things, they will not tank and have no incentive to completely suck.
Pretty much all teams in the East can suck if they want to, with minor exceptions, so that makes them more likely to start tanking mid-season.
So no prediction on the Rockets over/under 54.5?
Idk, 54.5 sounds about right. They did get better, and Amen was so impressive as last season went on. He can make All-NBA. But they will miss Brooks, and KD will miss games.
If I had to choose, I’d take the under. But they will win enough to be 2nd or 3rd in the West.
Good luck being Batman with no Robin
Why do rockets have to do this Kevin already has a lot of tensions with his exes
They traded for KD so they can chase rings. So of course they will resign him. KD is about to hit some milestones in his career. So it benefits the Rockets to resign and retire a Rocket. KD is not as greedy as Bron. So he will take less for more years. I can see him play till 40. Rockets youth are still growing as players. So this team will be better every year forward. That only works in KDs favor. They can win 2 chips in 4 yrs. And contend till KD retires. This is a deep talented young team.
@KnickAl
I’m guessing there was a handshake deal for an extension in place when the trade happened, and this is merely the usual media speculation that won’t affect what was already agreed to.
Yeah I think so. KD is in a good place for his last run.
Translation: Houston people saw the rumours bubbling about KD not wanting to sign a non-max extension, so they hit Windhorst up and spoon-fed him “We will get it done” to keep things quiet.
Durant wants another ring. If they are a top 4 team which they could be this year he will resign.
I’m no KD fan but Rockets will be the #1 seed as OKC takes a step back or better said people learn how to guard their free throw merchants. 60-65 wins for the Rockets.
Possible, but extremely unlikely that the Rockets get the 1 seed merely by obtaining KD and DFS.