Report: Kevin Durant, Rockets reach 2-year, $90M extension

Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a two-year contract extension valued at $90 million, according to multiple reports.

Key details of the deal

• The extension covers the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, with a player option for the 2027-28 year.
• Durant is currently under contract for the 2025-26 season, earning $54.7 million, so this extension brings his contract commitment to three years and approximately $144.7 million total.
• Notably, the $90 million figure is about $30 million less than the maximum two-year extension he was eligible for, which signals a willingness on his part to provide the Rockets with some salary-cap flexibility.

Why it matters

1. For Durant: At age 37, entering the later stage of his career, this deal ensures he remains committed to one franchise for the near term rather than chasing short-term moves. It also extends his earning window while giving him the option to decide his future after 2027-28.
2. For the Rockets: The team acquires long-term access to one of the league’s most productive scorers, which bolsters their status as contenders in a tough Western Conference. At the same time, by signing him below the maximum allowable extension, Houston gains more room to manoeuvre in building around their younger players.
3. Salary cap and team-building implications: The Rockets operate under a hard cap (or closely managed cap structure) and have younger core players whose future contracts must be considered. This extension implies a commitment to making a serious push now, but also a strategic approach to cap management.

Context & background

Durant was traded to the Rockets from the Phoenix Suns earlier this offseason as part of a large, multi-team deal. Last season with Phoenix he averaged about 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting impressive percentages (52.7% from the field and 43.0% from three-point range) despite his age.

This move to Houston, followed by the extension, signals that both parties view this as more than just a short-term stop. For Durant, it offers stability; for the Rockets, it suggests a window to contend with a veteran star alongside emerging younger talent.

What to watch going forward

• How the Rockets complement Durant with supporting players and whether they can build a roster that maximises his strengths while addressing his age and durability.
• The impact of this deal on the Rockets’ salary cap flexibility, particularly with other young players needing extensions and the team navigating a tough Western Conference.
• Whether Durant exercises the 2027-28 player option or decides to pursue other options—his decision then will shape the latter stage of his career.
• How this influences the trajectory of the Rockets: will this extension mark a championship push or a transitional phase with Durant as mentor and anchor?

In sum, the two-year, $90 million extension between Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets is a significant milestone for both. It locks in a high-level veteran for the near term, gives the franchise clarity on its direction, and presents intriguing possibilities for how the team will build around him.