The Houston Rockets made the biggest splash of the offseason by trading for Kevin Durant. The 36-year-old star gives the Rockets their best chance at title contention since the James Harden era, but the front office still has difficult decisions to make. Durant is eligible for a contract extension as his deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. However, early reporting suggests that Houston is prepared to play hardball with the former MVP.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective that the Rockets are not going all-in on an extension for KD. He added that there are "rumblings" about Durant not pushing for the full max, either, meaning that an extension that both sides can agree on is still on the table.
Rockets Reportedly Willing to Take a Big Kevin Durant Risk in Extension Negotiations
When the Rockets traded for KD, many assumed that the sides must have had a tacit understanding in place about what it would take to agree on an extension. After all, teams don't give up two starters and a lottery pick for a one-year rental, regardless of how good that player is. This recent reporting, however, indicates that the Rockets are fine with letting things play out and having Durant play on an expiring contract.
"The Rockets aren't going to go all in. 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. I don't know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that's close to the max."Tim MacMahon, ESPN
The fact that this is a risky proposition, especially because it involves the ever-mercurial Durant, doesn't mean that it is the wrong decision. KD is eligible for a two-year, $122 million extension before the season. Paying Durant over $60 million in annual salary for his age-38 and age-39 seasons has the possibility of being one of the worst contracts in the league. Plus, it would hamstring Houston's future financial flexibility and ability to add to the roster.
Agreeing on a lower number, for example, a two-year, $95 million extension, would help keep the Rockets' books more manageable moving forward. This, however, is not an easy balance to strike as it comes with the risk of alienating Durant if he finds the Rockets' offer disrespectful. How GM Rafael Stone manages this process and whether the sides can come to an agreement will be one of the most important storylines for the Rockets.