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Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes $30 million sacrifice with $90 million contract extension
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- Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes $30 million sacrifice with $90 million contract extension
The post Rockets' Kevin Durant makes $30 million sacrifice with $90 million contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets have agreed on a two-year, $90 million contract extension right before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
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Durant's max contract extension was worth about $120 million, so this deal represents a sacrifice of about $30 million. The 15-time All-Star now has three years and $144.7 million on his contract thanks to this extension, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. He's going to make $54.7 million this season.
The Rockets acquired Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns this offseason that ultimately incorporated seven teams. Houston traded Jalen Green , Dillon Brooks , the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (the Suns picked Khaman Malauch) and multiple second-round picks to get Durant.
There was always a belief that Durant would sign an extension with the Rockets, but there was question about the size of the deal . While Durant is still an elite player, he just turned 37 years old and has dealt with a number of injury issues in recent years, which contributed to the disappointment in Phoenix. With Houston building up an impressive young core, including players like Amen Thompson (will be seeking a max extension next summer) and Tari Eason (seeking an extension right now), KD is taking a pay cut to help keep the group together.
Even with this sacrifice, Durant is now the NBA's all-time leader in career salary when taking future earnings into account. KD is now in line to be at $598.2 million in career earnings, passing LeBron James ' $583.9 million.
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What's next for Kevin Durant , Rockets?
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Rockets were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. Houston knew its offense needed a boost to become a legit championship contender, and Durant rumors swirled around them for a long time before the trade finally happened.
While Fred VanVleet's torn ACL in the offseason was a setback for the Rockets, they still have designs on competing in the loaded Western Conference. A healthy Durant would go a long way toward making that happen. The 37-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from 3-point range in 62 games for the Suns last season.
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Houston was busy this offseason before this Durant extension, reaching new deals with VanVleet, Steven Adams , Jabari Smith Jr. and head coach Ime Udoka while poaching Dorian Finney-Smith , Clint Capela and Josh Okogie in free agency.
The Rockets will start the 2025-26 season against Durant's first team, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder , on Tuesday night.
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