On July 6, 2025, Kevin Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets in a historic seven-team trade, the largest in NBA history. Since the trade, the subject of Durant’s contract extension with the Rockets has drawn significant attention across the league, with talks still unresolved well over a month later. This delay adds to the growing buzz surrounding the star forward’s future in Houston.
Reports from ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon indicate that the Rockets are cautious about immediately offering Durant a maximum contract extension. Additionally, NBC Sports‘ Kurt Helin reported that Durant appears willing to accept a substantial pay cut instead of insisting on a max deal. The uncertainty has led to blunt commentary about how the situation might unfold.
“The longer it takes or if it doesn’t happen, it’s going to be something that’s going to be talked about every day,”
Marc J. Spears remarked during a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today.
Durant is currently in the final year of his contract, valued at $54.7 million, making the timing of a potential extension critical for both the player and the Rockets organization.
Austin Rivers Draws Bold Parallels Between Kevin Durant and LeBron James
Austin Rivers recently joined the Off Guard podcast, where he addressed various topics about the NBA. Among these, he made a striking comparison between Kevin Durant and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, highlighting differences in their offensive skills.
“LeBron [James] doesn’t have half the offensive bag that Kevin [Durant] has. But LeBron has been so dominant at the things he does do offensively, he hasn’t needed it,”
Rivers said during the discussion.
This comparison underscores Durant’s versatile offensive abilities relative to LeBron’s specialized dominance, reiterating the ongoing debate about two of the league’s most impactful players.
Durant’s Recent Season Performance and Team Impact
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Kevin Durant delivered strong individual performances while with the Phoenix Suns. Despite his efforts, the Suns missed the playoffs, finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. Over 62 games, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, demonstrating his consistent offensive production even as the team struggled overall.
Implications of the Contract Extension Delay for the Rockets and Durant
The ongoing stall in securing a contract extension for Durant is significant not only because of his status as a star player but also due to the influence this deal could have on the Rockets’ future roster building and salary cap strategy. As Durant weighs the option of a pay cut, the Rockets face delicate negotiations balancing immediate finances and long-term competitiveness.
If the contract talks prolong further or fail to materialize, as Marc J. Spears noted, the story is likely to remain a constant topic within NBA circles, potentially affecting team morale and fan expectations. As the 2025-26 season approaches, the resolution of Durant’s contract situation will be critical to the Rockets’ plans and Durant’s career trajectory in Houston.