Rockets optimistic about extension with Kevin Durant
As Kevin Durant is set to enter his first campaign with the Houston Rockets, his long-term future could be secured before he takes the court.
Durant is heading into the final year of his four-year, $194 million deal that he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
It now appears that he is moving toward a new deal ahead of the season opener for the 2025-26 season.
“I’m told there is optimism about a deal getting done before the start of the regular season,” said ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After the Rockets acquired Durant in a blockbuster trade early in the offseason, there immediately grew speculation that he could work out an extension.
Durant is stepping into a situation where he becomes the centerpiece of a promising team that finished with the second-best record in the West. Under head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets took a significant step toward becoming a legitimate threat in the stacked conference.
The 37-year-old is coming off another highly productive campaign, during which he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor and 43.0 percent from beyond the arc in 63 games played.
Although he has struggled with nagging injuries, Durant remains capable of performing at an elite level, which should translate to him being the primary offensive factor in Houston. The Rockets have assembled a talented roster around him, featuring big man Alperen Sengun, along with a wealth of young talent, including Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Reed Sheppard.
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Fred Van Vleet’s torn ACL is a significant blow, but Houston has a deep roster that should see them in the championship mix.
