On his 37th birthday, Kevin Durant made it clear that his arrival in Houston isn’t just a short-term stop. The two-time NBA champion and former MVP told reporters at Rockets Media Day that he envisions signing a contract extension with the franchise, signaling his commitment to helping lead the team into its next era of contention.
Durant, who was acquired in a blockbuster seven-team trade from the Phoenix Suns this past June, is entering the final year of his current deal worth $54.7 million. While he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer, Durant dismissed that possibility.
“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant said. “I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening”.
KD on signing a potential contract extension with the Rockets:
“I do see myself signing a contract extension [with Houston]. I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening”
h/t @ohnohedidnt24 pic.twitter.com/LWRAmxRkEO
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 29, 2025
The extension, if signed at the maximum, would be a two-year deal worth more than $120 million, keeping Durant in Houston through the 2027–28 season.
Durant pointed to his long-standing relationship with head coach Ime Udoka, who worked with him during their time together in Brooklyn, as a major factor in choosing Houston. He also cited his ties to Texas, where he starred at the University of Texas before entering the NBA.
“It felt organic and natural coming into the gym, being a Houston Rocket for the first time,” Durant said. “I always had respect for this coaching staff, this fanbase, this state, this city. It feels right”.
The Rockets, who won 52 games last season but fell in the first round of the playoffs, see Durant as the missing piece to elevate them into true championship contention. With point guard Fred VanVleet sidelined for the year after tearing his ACL, Durant is expected to take on additional ball-handling duties alongside All-Star center Alperen Şengün and rising forward Jabari Smith Jr..
Durant is coming off another elite season with Phoenix, averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from three. His efficiency and versatility remain unmatched, even in his 18th NBA season.
For Durant, the move to Houston represents both a return to his roots and a chance to add another chapter to his Hall of Fame career. While his stints in Oklahoma City, Golden State, Brooklyn, and Phoenix each ended differently, he emphasized that his focus now is on building lasting relationships and helping the Rockets reach heights they haven’t seen since their 1995 championship run.
“I’ve built great relationships everywhere I’ve been,” Durant said. “Now it’s about impacting this team and this city in the right way”.
With his commitment to Houston and an extension on the horizon, the Rockets’ gamble on Durant looks poised to pay off, not just for this season, but for years to come.
