Overview

• The Rockets are expected to offer Kevin Durant a short-term, below-maximum extension rather than the full two-year, $124 million deal he’s eligible for.
• General manager Rafael Stone has previously structured team-friendly contracts for Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. to protect long-term cap maneuverability.
• By tapering Durant’s second extension year, Houston projects staying about $41 million under the NBA’s first apron by summer 2027.
• ESPN insiders Tim MacMahon, Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps report that the team’s recent contract patterns point to a materially smaller offer for Durant.
• This cap-saving blueprint is designed to position the Rockets to pursue marquee free agents such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokić in 2027.