Overview

• The Rockets have not offered Durant a two-year, $122 million maximum extension and plan to open the 2025-26 season with him on his expiring $54.7 million deal.
• If no new deal is reached, Durant would enter unrestricted free agency in 2026 under full Bird rights.
• Any new agreement is expected to be short-term and affordable to support a championship push without compromising future salary-cap health.
• GM Rafael Stone’s cautious contract strategy has preserved cap space for the 2027 offseason when elite free agents could be available.
• This financial approach also protects room to secure rising young talent such as Amen Thompson with a rookie extension in 2027 as the core’s salary commitments climb.