Houston Rockets & Kevin Durant 'Not Close' On Extension

It was THE blockbuster trade of the summer. Kevin Durant dealt to the Houston Rockets in a deal that saw Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks going to the Phoenix Suns (among many other players, picks and teams involved). But is this a long-term arrangement for KD in H-Town?

The latest report, from Tim McMahon on the Hoops Collective podcast, (h/t Sam Amico, Hoops Wire), is that there are no signs that a deal on an extension for Durant is anywhere close.

Durant has just one year remaining on his contract, at $54.7 million, and if no extension is coming, he'll be a free agent after the 2025-26 season.

From what I've heard, the Rockets are not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant... I don't know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that's even close to the max... It's not ideal, but I don't think (the Rockets) would panic if they go into the season with Durant on an expiring contract.

He's now eligible for a two-year extension, which could have a max value of $120 million. Or, as Amico suggests, Durant could play out the final year of his current deal, then be able to go for a three-year maximum deal worth $187.6 million.

Durant will be 37 when the new season begins, though he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, averaging 26.6 points per game last season with 43% shooting from long distance.

Of course, he has to stay on the court, which is one area where Father Time has played a number on KD as his career has gotten into the latter stages. He played 62 games last season in Phoenix, but he topped that number just once the previous five years. And in fact, has played less than 50 games as many times as not over that stretch.

For now, the Rockets, and maybe even Durant, are in no rush to get an extension done, which could make for some interesting conversation as the season goes on.