Rockets confident extension with Kevin Durant will get done this month

There’s growing optimism in Houston that Kevin Durant will have a new deal in place before the regular season begins Oct. 21, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Durant has one year left on his current contract — a $54.7 million expiring deal — and is eligible for a two-year extension worth up to about $119 million. That figure bumps slightly in January, six months after the Rockets officially acquired him from the Suns.

The Rockets have been methodical about their approach, reportedly preferring to finalize a rookie-scale extension for Tari Eason first to better gauge long-term cap flexibility. But both sides appear aligned in wanting Durant to stick around beyond 2025.

Durant said at media day that he expects a deal to get done, though he wasn’t sure when. He’s also hinted that money won’t be a sticking point.

A report in August noted Houston’s hesitance to go full max given that the extension would cover Durant’s age-38 and 39 seasons — but added he might be open to a two-year, $100 million range.

For now, the focus shifts back to basketball. Durant confirmed in an interview with FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams that he’ll make his Rockets preseason debut against the Jazz.

“Just get some good run up and down the floor,” Durant said. “It’s a different feel when you’re underneath the lights.”