While Kevin Durant’s trade to the Houston Rockets appears to be an ideal fit for both parties, a significant hurdle remains: the terms of his contract extension. Durant, who had Houston on his short list of destinations and has praised the organization, is poised to provide the potent half-court scoring the team needs to elevate its offense.
The central issue lies in the financial details of a new deal. Durant is entering the final year of his contract, valued at $54.7 million. Due to the NBA’s “over-38” rule, the Rockets can offer him a maximum extension of two years and $122.1 million. However, recent reports suggest that neither side is firmly set on that maximum figure.
According to analysis from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Brian Windhorst, the Rockets are not expected to offer a full max contract, and there are “rumblings” that Durant may not push for it. Windhorst noted that Houston’s front office, led by GM Rafael Stone, would not panic if Durant played out the season on his expiring deal, a scenario consistent with Stone’s history of favoring shorter-term contracts.
Speculation on a potential compromise points to a figure around the $100 million mark for two years. A source informed NBC Sports that such a deal—roughly $10 million per season below the maximum—could be a viable middle ground.
With training camp still more than a month away, there is ample time for an agreement to be reached. However, it is also possible that both Durant and the Rockets are comfortable entering the upcoming season without an extension finalized, choosing instead to see how the partnership unfolds on the court. This negotiation will be a key storyline to watch as the NBA offseason progresses.
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