October 19, 2025
Signing the extension, Durant made historical past, changing into the profession earnings chief.
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets lately agreed to a two-year, $90 million extension, a determine that’s roughly $30 million in need of the utmost he might have collected if he selected to go to a different crew, however Durant isn’t precisely hurting for cash, as ESPN reported, the deal nonetheless strikes Durant into sole possession of the highest spot in profession earnings.
As Durant’s agent and Boardroom CEO Wealthy Kleiman instructed ESPN insider Shams Charnia, the team-friendly deal was crafted with an eye fixed in direction of ensuring the crew has wage cap flexibility going ahead at the same time as Durant’s profession earnings of $598.2 million, a determine that encompasses each present and future earnings, surpassed one other basketball luminary, Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James, who has earned $$583.9 million over the course of his profession.
The Rockets, who’re coming off a reasonably deep playoff run, however have been tormented by the shortage of a constant deep risk, usually rearing its head at inopportune occasions, such because the collection towards Golden State, after they had nobody to match the power of Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, and, occasionally, Jimmy Butler, to hit well timed three level buckets.
The Durant commerce, formally probably the most difficult commerce in NBA historical past, involving seven groups, despatched Rockets gamers Jalen Inexperienced, Dillon Brooks, No. 10 draft decide Khaman Maluach and second-round picks Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to the Phoenix Suns in trade for Durant, in impact, providing the Suns a rebuild powered by a major infusion of youth, whereas it paired Durant with a number of the most intriguing younger expertise in the complete league.
Veteran Rockets followers seemingly keep in mind the late profession flame-outs of Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley, who by no means fairly have been capable of match their salaries and their play in a Rockets uniform whereas enjoying alongside a nonetheless efficient, however growing old Hakeem Olajuwon; nonetheless, by all accounts, the Durant commerce appears to be a special deal, however the ghosts of the previous are laborious to shake.
Along with the Durant deal, the Rockets have taken care of their core additions, together with head coach Ime Udoka, who has rebounded from his scandal with the Boston Celtics to reemerge as one of many league’s premier head coaches. The crew has additionally reached new offers with Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr., acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Josh Okogie through free company, and re-signed final yr’s key veterans Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Vacation, and Jeff Inexperienced.
In keeping with oddsmakers, Durant’s presence on the crew has elevated the Rockets from a fringe risk to potential NBA championship contenders. The crew at present has the fifth-best odds to raise the Larry O’Brien trophy on the finish of the 2025-2026 postseason.
Following their spectacular 133-115 preseason win towards the Atlanta Hawks, which noticed Houston’s Reed Sheppard outplay the Hawks’ 2024 primary decide, Zach Risacher, the Rockets open the season towards the crew that drafted Durant, the defending champions, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
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