Kevin Durant signs $90m Extension with Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension, including a player option for the 2027–28 season, his business partner and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman confirmed on Sunday.
The 37-year-old veteran, who joined Houston this summer in a blockbuster deal, reportedly turned down the maximum possible extension of $120 million, opting instead to leave roughly $30 million on the table to give the Rockets financial flexibility in their long-term roster building.
“Kevin knew coming in that this wasn’t about maximizing every dollar,” Kleiman said. “It was about giving the team the freedom to keep building something sustainable.”
Durant Becomes NBA’s All-Time Earnings Leader
With this new deal, Durant’s total career earnings climb to a record-breaking $598.2 million, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million) for the highest total in NBA history. Durant is set to earn $54.7 million this season, bringing his total contract value with Houston to three years, $144.7 million.
The Blockbuster Trade That Changed Everything
The Rockets acquired Durant in July 2025 through what has been described as the largest trade in NBA history, a seven-team mega-deal that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 draft pick Khaman Maluach, and multiple second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns.
The move immediately transformed Houston, the reigning No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, into a legitimate title contender. Durant now forms a formidable trio alongside rising stars Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson under coach Ime Udoka.
Durant remains one of the league’s most efficient scorers. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games for Phoenix, while shooting 53.1% from midrange and a league-best 49.7% on jumpers.
According to GeniusIQ, he also led the NBA in off-the-dribble shooting percentage (50.9%), highlighting why he’s still such a mismatch nightmare. That’s exactly where Houston struggled last season, ranking 27th in effective field goal percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers and 24th overall on jump shots. Durant’s presence directly addresses those weaknesses.
Climbing the Record Books
Durant currently ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and could surpass Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki this season if he scores another 990 points. He’s also on an unprecedented run, 16 straight seasons averaging at least 25 points per game, trailing only LeBron James’ 20-season streak.
Durant holds franchise scoring records with the Thunder, Nets, and Suns, and ranks second in Golden State Warriors history behind Chamberlain for points per game.
Houston’s Busy Offseason
Beyond the Durant extension, Houston has been one of the league’s most active teams. The Rockets:
- Extended head coach Ime Udoka
- Re-signed Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, and key veterans Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green
- Added Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Josh Okogie in free agency
The Rockets enter the new season with the fifth-best odds (14–1) to win the 2026 NBA title. They open the regular season Tuesday night on the road against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, a fitting matchup for Durant’s next chapter.
SportsLigue