Kevin Durant just rewrote the history books, surpassing LeBron James as the NBA's all-time highest career earner.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the 37-year-old superstar amassed a total of $598.2 million in earnings, based on current and future salaries, after securing a two-year, $90 million extension with the Houston Rockets .
According to Charania, Durant was eligible for a $120 million contract extension but gave up $30 million to allow the Rockets to maintain flexibility for some future moves.
"He now has a total of three years and a total of about $145 million on his Rockets deal," the ESPN insider said . "His agent, Rich Kleiman, told me Durant has a player option in 2027-28, but this sets Durant up to retire in Houston… He understood when he preferred Houston as a trade destination in June that he'd be sacrificing money potentially for the long term."
LeBron's career earnings are estimated at $583.9 million, around $15 million less than Durant's, give or take. That means the Los Angeles Lakers superstar could still overtake KD if he decides to play another year. Nonetheless, this development is significant for Durant's overall net worth, especially when combined with his off-court earnings.
Although KD's year-by-year off-the-court income varies significantly, his brand and image likely keep his annual average at $50 million, according to Forbes. His portfolio of endorsements includes Nike, NBA 2K, Prime Hydration, FanDuel, and more. With KD's salary this season set at $53.2 million, that will put Durant's total earnings in 2025-26 at over $100 million!
Durant has also built a strong presence in business and media through his company, Boardroom, and investment firm, Thirty Five Ventures. Those ventures have expanded his reach beyond endorsements, with stakes in tech startups, sports teams, and media production. In short, KD has turned his success on the court into a thriving business empire off it.
As Charania mentioned, the newest extension locks Durant up until 2027-28 unless the 6'11" forward decides not to opt into the final year of the contract. If anything, that's fantastic news for H-Town as it shows KD's commitment to the franchise and his belief in the potential of the lineup.
The Rockets pulled the trigger on a deal with the Phoenix Suns last summer to acquire Durant, who is currently eighth in the all-time scoring list. Houston gave up Jalen Green , Dillon Brooks , and a 2025 first-round pick to have him on board. KD's arrival gave the Rockets a legitimate scoring option in crunch time, an area they sorely lacked in last season's playoffs.
Despite Fred VanVleet 's potential season-ending injury, the early returns since Durant arrived were encouraging. The Rockets swept all four of their preseason games, and young guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard appeared ready to take a leap in VanVleet's absence. With all the pieces in place around him, it's difficult to imagine Durant going anywhere else.
"Just seeing the quick progression of this franchise, from where it was right after that Chris Paul-James Harden era to seeing (when Rockets coach) Ime (Udoka) got here and how he turned it around so fast," Durant said late last month after hinting at the possibility of signing an extension. "It just felt organic and natural coming into the gym and being a Houston Rocket for the first time."
After years of searching for the right fit, Houston finally gives Durant a sense of stability and purpose. Whether it unfolds the way he envisions remains to be seen.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
