Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant is entering the 2025–26 season in the last year of his contract.
The Houston Rockets made a splash in the trade market when they acquired superstar Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns this offseason.
Despite KD looking like almost a perfect addition alongside the Rockets’ young core, he's entering the season on an expiring $54.7 million deal.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst says that even though it's not an ideal situation that KD hasn't signed a contract extension, the Rockets wouldn't feel worried about him entering the season without a guarantee for the next one.
"I think for the Rockets it's not ideal, but I don't think they would panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he's on just on the on the expiring deal," Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast.
"So well, this is one of the things I talked about when Durant was on the market about whether a team looked at Durant as a expire would be comfortable with him on an expiring contract or felt that they needed to give him a two-year 110 to 120 million extension and that that was going to affect what teams would pay for him."
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
"And as you said, the the you know, and I'll say this, Rafael Stone, since he's been the GM of the of the Rockets, he's signed quite a few giant contracts, but a lot most of them have been short," he added.
Despite being in the later stages of his career, the 36-year-old he remains highly productive, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this past season.
The Rockets now look like legitimate championship contenders in the Western Conference, with their core players - Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr. - all remaining intact after the trade.
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