Kevin Durant's Goal Reportedly is to Retire with Rockets After Suns Trade amid Rumors
If things go as planned for Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets will be the final team he plays for in his NBA career.
On Thursday's episode of First Take, ESPN's Shams Charania explained the goal for both Durant and the Rockets is for him to eventually retire as a member of the organization:
"The goal right now for Kevin Durant and the Rockets is for him to retire in Houston. They're going to eventually this offseason discuss a contract extension, figure out where that lands. But throughout the process it became the finalists between Miami and Houston, but the Rockets really excited Kevin Durant. I'm told, players like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard. And Kevin Durant really views himself here. It's a perfect fit in a lot of ways. We know, he's a No.1 option, he can be a No. 1 option on any given night. The Rockets made this move, it's a win-now trajectory type of move."
The Rockets agreed to a trade with the Phoenix Suns that brings Durant to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft and five second-round draft picks.
It was an ideal outcome for Durant after he reportedly included the Rockets among his preferred list of destinations if the Suns traded him.
The next step in this process for Durant and the Rockets is a contract extension. He is entering the final season of his current deal with a $54.7 million salary.
Charania said on Monday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show that the two sides will engage in contract talks at some point this offseason, while also hinting that the two-time NBA Finals MVP could potentially take a discount on the max he is eligible to earn (starts at 1:00 mark).
Houston gained some financial flexibility on Wednesday when Fred VanVleet declined his $44.9 million option to sign a two-year, $50 million deal with the club.
Durant is eligible to sign a two-year contract worth up to $122 million starting on July 6. The Rockets also have Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason eligible for extensions this summer, and Amen Thompson will be extension-eligible after next season.
Just given Durant's age—he will turn 37 on Sept. 29—it would be a surprise if he played on another team than the Rockets before his career ended. Of course, he does have a history of burning fast and bright when he joins a new team only for things to fade out quickly.
Durant has only spent three seasons with each of his last three teams. The Rockets are ready-made to compete for a title with a deep roster that won 52 games last season and now they added Durant's scoring prowess to make them a serious threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
