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Kevin Durant Breaks Silence After $90 Million Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 10:24 AM ET

Kevin Durant made a blockbuster move over to the Houston Rockets this summer after spending the last season-and-a-half with the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets orchestrated a historic seven-team trade that sent out Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and multiple draft picks to acquire the services of Clint Capela and the 37-year-old Durant, who averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season.

Before even playing a single regular-season game for the franchise, Durant agreed on a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets on Sunday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

This historic contract officially makes Durant the all-time leader in NBA contract earnings ($598.2 million), overtaking LeBron James' career contract earnings of $583.9 million.

Kevin Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract. https://t.co/C3l6Zve60R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2025

Durant was eligible for a contract worth as much as $120 million over the next two seasons, so the forward gave up $30 million in potential earnings. Given Durant's production is still at an All-NBA level, Charania characterized the move as a sacrifice.

Durant's first public comment about his new contract came on X, as he responded to a fan who took umbrage with Charania terming the decision a sacrifice.

"What would you characterize it as? Since we characterizing [expletive] this morning."

Even though Durant signed for a contract that pays him $45 million annually in 2026-27 and 2027-28, he did take less than he was entitled to and potentially less than what he could've made if he tested free agency in the summer of 2026.

Pointing out the relative value of his contract without taking into account the additional context of comparable players, such as Jimmy Butler signing a max extension with the Golden State Warriors after his trade in February, diminishes what Durant gave up here.

Kevin Durant Is Still Worth A Max Contract

There have been various questions around Durant's ability to drive a championship-winning team after failing to achieve that goal with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. However, there's nothing about his production that justifies anything less than a max contract.

According to Basketball Reference, Durant has averaged 27.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 184 games since 2022-23. He was among the most efficient scorers in the NBA last season, and now brings lethal scoring ability to a Rockets team built on a strong defensive foundation.

In the new second apron age of NBA contracts, the $30 million Durant gave up could be the difference between the franchise pushing up on second apron restrictions within the duration of this contract.

They were projected to be $80 million under the second apron next season, and now have the room to extend potential restricted free agent Tari Eason before his extension deadline at 6 p.m. ET Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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