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Rockets Take Unexpected Stance on $122 Million Kevin Durant Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 8:23 PM ET

The Houston Rockets made perhaps the biggest splash of the NBA Offseason when they acquired Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Not only that, but they didn't have to give up that much. In exchange for Durant, the Rockets traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (Khaman Maluach), and multiple second-round picks.

Even though Durant will be 37 years old in December, he still is one of the NBA's elite scorers. Despite all the turmoil the Suns went through last season, he still averaged 26.6 points while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from three.

So why did the Rockets get him for that little? Because his contract is about to expire. Durant will enter the last year of a four-year, $194.2 million contract. This season, he is owed $54.7 million.

Because Durant is still an excellent player, it would seem like a given that the Rockets would extend him. However, it's not that simple. ESPN's Tim MacMahon explained on "The Hoop Collective" why Houston doesn't plan to give Durant a max extension, but added that Durant may not ask for one.

"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," MacMahon said . "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. I think the Rockets are -- like it's not ideal -- but I don't think they'd panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he's on, just on the expiring."

Kevin Durant is Joining the Rockets With Hopes to Push Themselves Even Further

The Rockets are coming off their best season since their last full season with James Harden (2019-20). Not only did they win 52 games, but they got the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round, but they pushed them to seven games.

Trading for Durant adds him to a core that has Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, Clint Capela, and Tari Eason. The one aspect they lacked was a go-to scorer, so that's where Durant comes in.

Durant has the chance to prove he can be the best player on a playoff contender like the Rockets this season. He was supposed to be that for the Suns for the last two years, but their roster construction proved too flawed.

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

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