Rockets taking tough negotiating stance with superstar

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Houston Rockets are "not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant," for whom they traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft (Khaman Maluach) and five second-round picks in June. Durant's maximum extension would be for two years and $122M, taking him through 2027-28, his age-39 season.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has made a habit of tough negotiations the last few seasons, getting players to sign team-friendly deals where the years and dollars are less than the maximum.

Jabari Smith Jr., 22, signed for five years and $122M, which was cheaper than many rookie extensions from last summer. Stone declined starting guard Fred VanVleet's $44.9M player option and brought him back at $50M for two years. Three-and-D specialist Dorian Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53M deal — but only the first two years are guaranteed. Center Steven Adams signed a three-year deal where his salaries decline each season.

That's how the Rockets managed to build a contender without incurring the restrictions and penalties of going above the luxury tax aprons. They had the second-best record in the Western Conference last season, and still added an All-Star in Durant. A number of their veteran contracts expire before the 2027-28 season, which is when a rookie extension for All-Defensive forward Amen Thompson would kick in.

The Rockets' approach seems much tougher than that of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who gave out bigger contracts than they needed to for some of their stars. Last October, center Rudy Gobert declined a $46.7M option for this upcoming season to sign a three-year, $110M deal — not nearly the discount Houston got from VanVleet. Backup big man Naz Reid got five years and $125M, a huge overpay even without considering that Reid got a player option for the final season.

Houston seems prepared to go into 2025-26 with Durant on an expiring contract, knowing that having "Bird rights" on KD means they can pay him more than any other team. Perhaps he'd extend at a lower number, like a rumored two-year, $100M extension.

But the Rockets seem to understand the importance of pinching pennies in the new, punitive luxury tax environment. Durant may have chosen a team that has the best chance to compete for a title with him, but they're probably not the team most likely to pay him his max.