Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant His business partner and boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman told ESPN on Sunday that a two-year, $90 million contract extension with a player option for 2027-28 has been agreed upon.
Durant was eligible for a maximum contract extension worth $120 million over two years, but when he chose the Rockets as a trade destination he understood he would sacrifice money on a new deal – in this case about $30 million – so that both parties could partner for the long term and give the franchise team-building flexibility.
Durant, 37, now holds the record for the highest earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, which is more than that. Lebron James ($583.9 million). Durant is making $54.7 million this season and now has three years and a total of $144.7 million on his contract.
The Rockets acquired Durant in July as part of the largest trade in NBA history, a historic seven-team deal jalen green, dillon brooksNo. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluch and second round picks Rasheer Fleming And kobi brea till phoenix sunWith the addition of Durant, the Rockets – the current No. 2 seed in the Western Conference – emerged as a legitimate NBA title contender, with the two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP teaming up with young stars. alperen sengun And Amen Thompson,
A 15-time All-Star, Durant gives the Rockets a premier jump shooter and shot creator who fits seamlessly into the lineup. According to GeniusIQ, he shot an NBA-best 49.7% on jumpers and 53.1% on midrange shots last season and had the best shooting percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers (50.9%).
According to GeniusIQ, these are areas where Durant will make a consistent impact for the Rockets, who rank 27th in effective field goal percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers and 24th in effective field goal percentage on all jumpers. The Rockets also ranked seventh in isolations per game but 27th in points per direct isolations.
Last season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games with the Suns. According to ESPN Research, the future Hall of Famer has averaged at least 25 points in three consecutive seasons, shooting 50% field goals and 40% on 3-pointers, the longest streak in NBA history.
Durant is eighth in NBA career points and could surpass Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki this season if he scores at least 990 points. He has averaged at least 25 points per game in 16 consecutive seasons, the most in league history since James (20 straight seasons). Durant has the most career points per game oklahoma city thunder History, Brooklyn Nets History and has the second-best career points per game in Suns history. Golden State Warriors History, back to Chamberlain.
The Rockets have also completed important offseason business in addition to the Durant trade and extension. They reached a new agreement with coach Ime Udoka, Fred VanVleet, steven adams And Jabari Smith Jr.acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela And Josh Okogie In free agency, and re-signed veterans J’Sean Tate, aaron holiday And Jeff Green,
Houston has the fifth-best odds to win this year’s NBA title at 14-1 on ESPN BET. The Rockets open their regular season on Tuesday night against the defending champion Thunder.
