When the Houston Rockets traded for Kevin Durant this offseason, it was seen as a seismic move for the NBA. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champs and cream of the crop in the NBA, this move announced that the Rockets were ready to be taken seriously as a contender. After a disappointing finish to their season last year, the Rockets seem to be all in this year to dethrone the Thunder.
This wasn't the only move the Rockets made this offseason, though. They went after extensions for many of their young stars, restructured Fred VanVleet's contract via extension, and brought in a key role player in Dorian Finney-Smith. These moves indicate plans to contend for years to come. One major question was, how would Durant fit into this roster financially after the Rockets' spending?
Durant is extension-eligible this season, and it's all but signed in pen that Durant will be re-signing with Houston. Next season, the Rockets have about 10% of their cap freed up outside of Durant, but the Rockets need to be mindful that Tari Eason, who will be a restricted free agent, and Amen Thompson, who will be extension-eligible after this season, will likely need to be paid. VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith currently take up 50% of next year's cap. If Durant takes a similar salary to this year, he could add an additional 35% of the cap.
For a talent like Durant and a team with championship aspirations, going above the apron short-term is a no-brainer. However, the Rockets cannot mortgage the entire future for a two-year run. It sounds like the GM Rafael Stone understands that giving Durant a max extension is not an ideal scenario. On the Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon and Brian Windhorst discussed the Rockets' GM predicament.
"By all appearances and by what I’ve heard, they’re not going all in on an extension for Kevin Durant. Now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but there’ve been rumblings of KD not going to push for the full max."Tim MacMahon (via Hoops Collective pod)
Kevin Durant Taking Less Than Max Makes Sense for Both Sides
Kurt Helin of NBC Sports indicated that an anonymous source indicated Durant may be willing to take approximately $10 million less per year to sign an extension. With Thompson's deal on the horizon, even a $10 million discount may not be enough. It seems crazy to think that the Rockets would head into the season with Durant's future uncertain, but Rafael Stone seems to be willing to flex his leverage to get great deals. When discussing the Durant extension, Brian Windhorst brought up the fact that Stone tends to make team-friendly deals.
"I’ll say this, Rafael Stone, since he’s been the GM of the of the Rockets, he’s signed quite a few giant contracts, but a lot most of them have been short."Brian Windhorst (via Hoops Collective)
It makes sense for the Rockets to get Durant for as cheap as possible, but does it make sense for Durant? Possibly. Durant is very in tune with his legacy, fan and media opinion, and likely sees this as the last best chance for him to earn "his own" championship. The Warriors championships, despite Durant's significant contributions and his Finals MVP, are largely viewed as Steph Curry's titles amongst fans and media.
To steal a play from another all-time great, Durant could take less short-term to be a winner, much like Tom Brady and the Patriots. Despite taking less in salary, winning has given Brady far greater exposure and earning potential. It's not like Durant is currently going to struggle in retirement, but having an additional championship can get him additional media deals and move him higher up in the "legacy" rankings, if that matters to him.
It makes sense for Durant to take less if winning is the ultimate thing that matters to him at this stage. Getting paid in Brooklyn and Phoenix led to disappointment. Durant would be foolish to let that happen again, especially in a scenario as great as the one in Houston.