NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Warriors, Steph Curry, Sixers

Rockets

Kevin Durant and the Rockets have agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension, agent Rich Kleiman told Shams Charania of ESPN.

The deal includes a player option for 2027-28, giving Durant flexibility as he enters his 19th NBA season.

Houston was one of Durant’s preferred landing spots when Phoenix put him on the trade block over the summer. The expectation was always that the two sides would work something out — just maybe not a max deal.

The Rockets reportedly weren’t willing to go all the way to the two-year, $119 million maximum, and Durant agreed to take less to give the front office room to build around him. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted that even after the extension, Houston will stay about $80 million under the second tax apron in 2026-27.

Durant, 37, is clearly comfortable in Houston, where he’s reunited with former Seattle teammate Jeff Green and a few fellow Texas alums who now work within the organization. In a feature by Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Durant said he hopes to retire a Rocket.

“I’m looking to be here as long as I can, play my last years of my career,” Durant told Mannix. “That’s the intent.”

The 15-time All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season in Phoenix while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. His new deal pushes his career earnings north of $598 million — the most in NBA history, per Charania.

Warriors

Stephen Curry isn’t ruling out playing past 40. He just wants the option to decide.

“All I’ll say is that I just want the option,” Curry told EssentiallySports’ Mark Medina. “If I can make the decision and the decision is not made for me, that’s a big, big point.”

The Warriors star turns 37 in March and remains near the top of his game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team last season, appeared in 70 games, and hit 39.7 percent of his threes while leading the league in attempts and makes.

Trainer Brandon Payne said Curry’s offseason focus was on strength and speeding up his decision-making.

“I still love it,” Curry added. “The rest of it is just toughness to get out there and do the work. I want to keep it going.”

Meanwhile, brother Seth Curry — waived by Golden State on Saturday — can’t return until at least Nov. 11 due to the second apron hard cap.

“I’m not worried about Seth,” Steve Kerr said, via The San Francisco Chronicle’s Sam Gordon. “He’s coming along nicely.”

76ers

Joel Embiid returned to the court Friday for the first time in nearly eight months and the Sixers couldn’t have been happier with how he looked.

In just 19 minutes, the 2023 MVP posted 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in a preseason win over Minnesota.

“I’m in a good space mentally and physically,” Embiid said, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I’m just happy to touch the basketball and do what I love.”

Embiid has battled left knee issues the past two years, limiting him to 58 total games, including just 19 last season. While he said he doesn’t feel “18 years old again,” the focus now is on consistency and staying healthy heading into opening week.

“Some days are going to be good, some days I’m going to be a little tight,” Embiid said. “Just learn from it and keep doing the right things.”