The Houston Rockets pulled off one of the biggest moves of the summer, landing Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
But despite going all-in to acquire the 36-year-old superstar, the franchise may not be prepared to hand him the richest possible extension.
“The Rockets aren’t gonna go all-in, by all appearances and by what I’ve heard, they’re not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant,” Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “Now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but there’ve been rumblings KD’s not gonna 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.”
Durant enters the final season of the four-year, $194 million deal he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. Last year in Phoenix, he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.6 percent shooting, making his 15th All-Star appearance.
“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 just on the contract that he’s on just on the expiring deal,” Brian Windhorst said. “I’ll say this, Rafael Stone, since he’s been the GM of the Rockets, he’s signed quite a few giant contracts, but a lot of them have been short.”
While Houston is expected to extend Durant at some point, the length and value remain uncertain. A shorter-term deal could give both sides flexibility, especially as the forward enters the latter stages of his career.
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