The Houston Rockets‘ window for contention will be open for a few years at the very least after their latest contract negotiation.
The Rockets have signed superstar forward Kevin Durant to a two-year, $90 million extension, increasing his current contract to a total of three years, $144.7 million, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday.
According to Charania, the deal comes with a player option for the 2027-28 season. Though Durant was eligible for a two-year, $120 million max extension, he chose to sacrifice money, giving the Rockets more financial freedom to compete.
Durant joined the Rockets this past off-season from the Suns as part of a seven-team trade, with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and an assortment of picks heading back to Phoenix.
Despite heading into his age-37 season, the 15-time all-star has remained consistent in both productivity and efficiency. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7 per cent from the field and 43.0 per cent from three-point range last season.
That consistency has earned Durant the title of the highest-earning player in NBA history with $598.2 million in current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James’ $583.9 million.
The move to lock up Durant gives the Rockets security going forward, with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Dorian Finney-Smith all signed through the 2026-27 season. Fred VanVleet — who tore his ACL in the off-season — has a $25 million player option for next season.