Rockets are hesitant on Kevin Durant extension, insider says

The Houston Rockets are going into a 2025-26 season with a much different lineup after going through in acquiring Kevin Durant via trade.

Houston was able to win the Kevin Durant sweepstakes this summer, agreeing in a trade that sent the Phoenix Suns Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (Khaman Maluach), and five second-round picks.

Durant, 36, is currently playing on a contract that will expire after the upcoming season. He's set to earn $54.7 million.

At first, all signs were pointing towards the Houston Rockets offering the 15-time All-Star a two-year, $122.1 million max contract extension to solidify his future with the team in hopes of capturing the franchise their first NBA championship since 1995.

Flash forward to today, Friday, Aug. 8, it seems that the Rockets aren't willing to give Durant the max extension that was originally set in place. ESPN insider Tim MacMahon spoke on the situation.

"They (the Houston Rockets) are not going all in on an extension for Kevin Durant. Now, doesn't mean it won't happen... I don't know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that's close to the max. I don't think that they will panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he's on," MacMahon said on the Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective podcast.

— Chris Gorman (@GormanChristoph) August 8, 2025

 Now, there's no need for the deal to get done before the start of the season, but it will be worth monitoring the contract talks that take place between Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

Despite his age, Durant is still one of the best scorers in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 52.7% from the field.