The keys to Kevin Durant's renewal with the Houston Rockets

Kevin Durant has forfeited $30 million so that the Houston Rockets can continue building a championship team in the NBA. The 37-year-old star has signed a contract extension for two seasons and $90 million, with a player option for the 2027-28 season.

NBA Market: Durant, who could have signed a maximum extension of $120 million, accepted a significant reduction aiming to provide the team with salary cap flexibility and long-term stability. "Since he chose Houston as his destination, he knew he was sacrificing money to allow the franchise to continue strengthening," explained Kleiman.

With this new deal, Durant becomes the highest-earning player in NBA history: $598.2 million between current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). This season, he earns $54.7 million, and his total contract now amounts to $144.7 million for three years.

The Rockets announced the renewal without disclosing the terms of the agreement. Durant arrived in Houston in July through the largest multi-team trade in league history, an exchange involving seven teams that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the draft Khaman Maluach, and second-round picks Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to Phoenix. His addition transformed the Texan team —second in the West last season— into a strong title contender, forming an elite trio alongside Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.

A fifteen-time All-Star, Durant brings to the Rockets one of the most complete offensive arsenals in the league. Last season, he led the NBA in shooting percentage on jump shots (49.7%) and mid-range shots (53.1%), in addition to having the best shooting percentage off the dribble (50.9%), according to GeniusIQ. These were precisely some of the team's weakest areas, ranking 27th in jump shot efficiency and 24th in total shots.

In his final season with the Suns, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games. He has maintained at least 25 points per game with 50% field goal shooting and 40% from three-point range for three consecutive seasons, an unprecedented streak in NBA history, according to ESPN Research.

KD Continues to Break NBA Records

Durant ranks eighth in the league's all-time scoring list and can surpass Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki this season if he reaches 990 points. He has averaged at least 25 points per game for 16 consecutive seasons, second only to LeBron James (20). Additionally, he holds the highest scoring averages in Thunder, Nets, and Suns history, and the second-best in the Warriors, behind only Chamberlain.

In addition to Durant's extension, Houston had a busy summer. The team secured new deals with coach Ime Udoka, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr., and added Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Josh Okogie in free agency, while also renewing Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green.

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