The Houston Rockets‘ high-stakes acquisition of Kevin Durant in July, part of the NBA’s first seven-team trade, sent shockwaves across the league.
Yet despite securing the 15-time All-Star and powering up their lineup alongside Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet, Houston is taking an unexpectedly cautious stance on offering Durant a contract extension, even as the season nears.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast, “there’s not a sense of urgency to get it done right now” when discussing whether Durant and the Rockets should finalize a new deal before training camp.
He added, “They will work together… I don’t think you’re going to see panic from either side.”
Patient approach dominates the conversation
The player and the organization appear aligned, or at least in agreement, that a methodical approach benefits everyone.
Reports suggest Durant himself “isn’t going to push for the full max,” while the Rockets likewise seem unconvinced about offering a maximum extension.
This two-way restraint seems strategic. The franchise is protecting future cap space, with a wave of key extensions on the horizon: Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun already secured, while Amen Thompson and Tari Eason loom large for 2027 decisions.
Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet‘s deal and Dorian Finney-Smith‘s non-guaranteed options also expire around that time.
Doing the math, the Rockets can legally offer Durant a two-year, up-to-$122-million extension, but insiders suspect any deal will come in lower, possibly around $100 million, or otherwise remain open until post-season or beyond.
Why restraint may be the smartest play
There is real logic underpinning the cautious choreography. Durant, set to earn about $54.7 million this season under his expiring contract, becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if no extension materializes.
For the Rockets, allowing him to play out this season without rushing into a costly deal preserves their ability to address the future: rewarding young talent, maintaining a balanced roster, and navigating luxury-tax thresholds.
That said, there are also long-term signals in play. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that both sides aim for Durant to “end his career in Houston,” calling their alignment a genuine partnership rather than a temporary arrangement.
This is not brinkmanship for its own sake. It reflects a balancing act where championship contention and fiscal prudence intersect. The Rockets are not “all-in” on a max-level extension, nor is Durant forcing their hand.
Their key assets and future flexibility remain intact, with the possibility of reinvesting depending on how the season unfolds.
As MacMahon noted: “It’s not ideal, but I don’t think they’d panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he’s on, just on the expiring deal.”
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