Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets have yet to have substantive talks on a contract extension following his trade from the Phoenix Suns this offseason. Durant is currently eligible to sign a two-year, $118 million extension, or he could sign for up to $120 million over two years six months after the trade beginning on January 5, 2026.
“There’s not a sense of urgency to get it done right now,” said Tim MacMahon on Wednesday’s episode of NBA Today. “The Rockets have other business they have to handle this summer. Primarily, the extension for Tari Eason.”
The Rockets needed a player capable of creating his own offense and were able to acquire Durant at a reasonable cost.
“They didn’t push all their chips in,” continued MacMahon. “They were very patient as far as the pursuit of a trade for Kevin Durant. Matter of fact, I wouldn’t say they pursued it—they waited until the price was at a value that they felt was comfortable for them.
“Kevin Durant is their best player—he’s not necessarily their priority. That’s not an insult to him. Their priority is making sure they have as long of a runway as possible while trying to cash in on this window they created by getting Kevin Durant.
“Certainly, I think both sides want that to be more than a one-year window. But it’s not going to be a max extension. If that was the priority for Kevin Durant, it would have been done in conjunction with the trade and he probably wouldn’t have ended up in Houston.
“I think you’ll see both sides take a patient approach. They will work together. But again, I don’t think this is an urgent situation. Even if they get to camp or the start of the season, if it’s not done, I don’t think you’ll see panic from either side.”
Durant is in the final season of his four-year, $198 million extension signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.
