Kevin Durant is joining the fifth franchise of his NBA career with the Houston Rockets, and both sides are committed to making this his final destination. Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 to sign with the Golden State Warriors, Durant hasn't stayed with any single team for more than three seasons.
"The goal right now for Kevin Durant and the Rockets is for him to retire in Houston," NBA insider Shams Charania said Thursday on ESPN's First Take. "They're going to eventually this offseason discuss a contract extension and figure out where that lands."
Charania revealed earlier Thursday on Get Up that Durant's enthusiasm for the move stems largely from the opportunity to mentor and play alongside Houston's promising young talent. The Rockets managed to keep their young core out of their trade package to the Phoenix Suns, which merely included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick and five second rounders.
"Kevin Durant, from what I understand, he was excited to go to Houston to specifically play with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed Sheppard," Charania explained. "They've got so many young players—Tari Eason as well—and Ime Udoka is a coach that he's very familiar with from Team USA as well as with the Nets. There's a lot of mutual respect there, a deep level of respect. So there's excitement there."
Durant enters the 2025-26 season with a $54.7 million expiring contract and becomes extension-eligible on July 6. The 14-time All-Star has two potential extension scenarios: he could sign a two-year extension worth as much as $112 million immediately, or wait six months to sign a two-year deal worth up to $124 million.
Durant, who is represented by Rich Kleiman, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season as he was on his way to his 12th All-NBA selection before a late season injury.
Durant is entering the final season of his four-year, $198 million extension signed with the Brooklyn Nets in August 2021. At the time, Durant expected both Kyrie Irving and James Harden to sign similar extensions to remain with the Nets. Durant requested a trade less than a year later on the eve of free agency in 2022 after the Nets' situation broke down with Harden's trade request and Irving's contract issues.
