The Houston Rockets hit the jackpot when they acquired 2x NBA champion Kevin Durant this summer. Their title odds were dramatically boosted, and Durant gives them a chance to elevate to another level in the West. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, however, Durant isn’t the centerpiece of the franchise, and it could be why talks have stalled on a new contract.
“The Rockets and Durant have had discussions about a new contract, and there is belief they will come to terms, sources said, but they’ve yet to come to an agreement,” wrote Windhorst. “Durant, like James, is no longer viewed as a centerpiece, as Houston builds around a young core of players it acquired through the draft.”
When Kevin Durant agreed to be traded to the Rockets, it came with the expectation that he’d agree to a long-term extension with the team. Normally, he wouldn’t have trouble securing a maximum deal, but Windhorst reports Durant may need to accept a pay cut if he wants to stay in Houston past the 2025-26 campaign.
“The Rockets view Durant as a final component, a veteran who graduates them into true contender status,” Windhorst added. “In the end, Durant might need to accept less than a maximum contract, which he has been on since 2011, if he wants to stay in Houston.”
Durant certainly has the credentials of a max-level player. Over 17 years in the NBA, he’s a 15x All-Star, 4x scoring leader, and 11x All-NBA player. Last season, at 36, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7% shooting.
Still, the Rockets don’t view him as their top guy, and it has nothing to do with his game. With a roster that includes Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets have prioritized their young core over catering to their veteran star.
It’s a bold move, but the Rockets have some justification. Last season, before they had Durant, this same Rockets group, led by Sengun and Jalen Green, took the Rockets to the NBA playoffs as the second seed in the West. They won 52 games and finished as a top-four defensive team.
Unfortunately, they drew a matchup against the Warriors in the first round, which Sengun says was the worst possible opponent for them to face. They lost the series in seven games, prompting them to pursue Durant.
After giving up so much to get him (Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the rights to the 2025 No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks), it would be a major loss to lose Durant for nothing after just one season. On the flip side, they also don’t want to handicap their future by tying up their cap flexibility to an aging superstar.
Obviously, Durant wants to get paid, but it begs the question of why he agreed to go there in the first place if he knew he wasn’t going to get offered the max (could lose at least $20 million). It’s an interesting and potentially franchise-altering situation in Houston, and it risks blowing up in their face if things go wrong.
Only time will tell how these negotiations end, but with just one year left on his deal, Durant doesn’t have to settle for anything less than what he feels he’s worth. If the Rockets refuse to budge, it could result in Durant being on the move again and joining his fourth team in five years.
