Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

“It was a No-Brainer”- Kevin Durant Opens Up on Signing $90 Million Extension with Houston Rockets

Kevin Durant has surpassed LeBron James in a unique NBA record.

Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Star forward Kevin Durant opened up on his decision to sign a two-year extension with the Houston Rockets ahead of the 2025-26 regular season opener. Durant, who was traded to the Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster seven-team trade, was eligible for an extension that could have been worth $122 million. However, the two-time NBA champion settled for a deal which is worth $30 million less at $90 million for two years.

Extended 🤝

OFFICIAL: The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed forward Kevin Durant to a contract extension. pic.twitter.com/SMtHOAzjT0
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 19, 2025

The move will enable the Rockets with plenty of flexibility for other deals going forward. Speaking on the move, the 15-time NBA All-Star said that the move was a ‘no-brainer’. “I’m excited,” Durant said after practice. “That’s what the intent was when I came here was to try to build with this group as long as possible. So, it was a no brainer to sign on that line.”

"It was a no brainer"
–Kevin Durant on his contract extension with the @HoustonRockets #Rockets open the regular season tomorrow at OKC pic.twitter.com/sQq7aVJGdx
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 20, 2025

“Talking to Rafael, Ime, how they wanted to build the team and how I see myself in this organization, I just thought it was a perfect contract for us. So, I’m glad we could get that out of the way. We won’t have to worry about external noise throughout the season if I didn’t have the contract signed. So just worry about basketball and focusing on the season.”

Notably, the deal has a player option in the second year, and could keep Durant with the Rockets through the 2027-28 season. Despite settling for a lot less money, Durant has already surpassed Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James in a unique record. He is now the highest earning player in the league at $598.2 million, based on current and future salaries, while James has career earnings of $583.9 million.

Kevin Durant Opens up on Playing Against OKC Thunder in Opening Night

Kevin Durant opened up on playing against his former team, Oklahoma City Thunder, in the 2025-26 regular season opener. Durant, who will don Houston Rockets’ jersey this season, was a part of the Thunder for nine solid years of his career. Speaking ahead of the big night, the 37-year-old revealed his emotional state of mind.

The veteran forward admitted that he is unsure how to feel about being in this situation. He revealed that he isn’t emotionally invested in the game people are expecting him to be. “I don’t know whether to think that’s cool or not,” Durant said. “I’m not happy or sad or mad… [I left] like a decade ago.”

“I’m not happy or sad or mad [that] I missed out. I won a championship — two of them, for one. And, for two, [I left] like a decade ago,” he added.

Notably, Durant began his career with the Seattle Supersonics (later OKC Thunder) after getting selected as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. The four-time scoring champ played a total of 641 games for the Thunder, averaging 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He left Oklahoma City to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Houston Rockets

Kevin Durant

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.