Will the Houston Rockets agree to a veteran extension for Kevin Durant before the start of the 2025-26 season?
Acquiring the 15-time All-Star, who turns 37 in September, vaulted Houston into true Western Conference contender status. The Rockets had enjoyed an encouraging run in 2024-25, finishing with the No. 2 seed thanks to a 52-30 record.
Houston was knocked out of the playoffs by the veteran-laden Golden State Warriors after a seven-game first round slog.
Will Kevin Durant stay in Houston long-term?
The Phoenix Suns shipped Durant to Houston in exchange for the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft (used on Duke center Khaman Maluach), five future second-round picks, young shooting guard Jalen Green and All-Defensive Team small forward Dillon Brooks. The deal eventually got folded into a blockbuster seven-team trade, the first of its kind in the NBA, that also included the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reveals that Durant had seemed to at least be open to an extension when he listed the Rockets among his preferred trade destinations earlier this summer.
No extension had been agreed to in the June trade. Now, the clock is ticking until Durant can hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
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The two-time Finals MVP’s addition improves an already-good Rockets club. Durant will join incumbent All-Star big man Alperen Sengun, All-Defensive Team forward Amen Thompson, just re-signed former All-Star and champion point guard Fred VanVleet, freshly-extended recent lottery pick forward Jabari Smith Jr., and intriguing young forward Tari Eason on a team that feels ready to at least try to dethrone the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The addition of Durant had a ripple effect. Houston soon had agreed to deals with 3-and-D combo forward Dorian Finney-Smith, rim-rolling center Clint Capela (a former James Harden-era Rocket), and defense-first guard Josh Okogie. Beyond their new deals with Smith and VanVleet, the Rockets also re-signed free agents Steven Adams, Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green.
Armed with this roster, the Rockets rank among the Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves as probably the class of the conference.
Windhorst indicates that Durant and Houston have at least discussed an extension, and are expected to eventually put pen to paper and get it done before he reaches free agency. Windhorst notes that, with Durant not seen as a total franchise “centerpiece,” he may need to accept less than a minimum deal to remain with the Rockets, his sixth team, long-term.
Still, Durant instantly becomes the best player on the team next season.
In 62 healthy games for the admittedly bad (36-46) Suns last season, the 6-foot-11 Texas product averaged 27.2 points on .527/.430/.839 shooting splits, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals a night. He has made 50 percent or more of his field goals for 13 straight years.
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