The NBA offseason buzz is heating up, and a major storyline has been the contract situation of a star player.With the season on the horizon, speculation swirled around whether Kevin durant would ink a new deal with the Houston franchise he recently joined. The prevailing sentiment pointed towards an extension, especially after he expressed a desire to “retire” in Texas, with his current contract set to expire in 2026.
The key question was the financial commitment. the star forward, who also holds a minority stake in PSG, was eligible for a two-year deal worth $120 million. however, reports from insider Shams Charania indicate the agreement will be for $90 million over two seasons. As an ESPN journalist noted, Durant understood when he chose the Rockets… that he would sacrifice money – in this case around $30 million – for a long-term collaboration and offer flexibility to his franchise to build a team.
BREAKING: Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, his business partner and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman tells ESPN. The new deal includes a player option in 2027-28. pic.twitter.com/5GdhzgnSPa
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
October 19, 2025
On Track to Become the Highest-Paid Player Ever by 2028
This financial flexibility is crucial for the Houston front office as they aim to contend for a championship this season. The young Rockets squad gave the Golden State Warriors all they could handle in a seven-game series last May, but their inexperience ultimately proved to be their undoing. This is precisely where Durant’s veteran presence becomes invaluable, mentoring a group of rising stars who are improving year after year.
Even with the $30 million concession, the eighth player in league history to surpass 30,000 career points is poised to become the highest-earning player in NBA history by the conclusion of his new contract. By 2028, his career salary is projected to reach an astounding $598.2 million, surpassing LeBron James’ current record of $583.9 million. Of course, the “King” could always extend his own tenure with the Lakers, potentially altering this historic financial landscape.
