Kevin Durant, Rockets Reportedly Optimistic About Contract Extension Before NBA Season

Kevin Durant is entering the final season of his current contract, but he is eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Houston Rockets.

And that is reportedly the plan.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Houston and Durant's representation are in "constant communication" and added, "I'm told there is optimism about a deal getting done before the start of the regular season."

Houston doesn't have a ton of time remaining to finish such a contract if it plans on doing so before the regular season. Its first game of the 2025-26 campaign is in fewer than two weeks on Oct. 21 against the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder. 

This update comes after NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Sunday that the Rockets envisioned coming to terms on an extension with Tari Eason before finalizing the Durant one.

Fischer noted the team "would relish knowing exactly how the books look with an extended Eason" prior to coming to exact terms with the future Hall of Famer, although he also pointed out Durant signing first would be "no real issue."

Durant Goes for 42

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Houston is fully in win-now mode after acquiring Durant from the Phoenix Suns via trade this offseason. It finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season but lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.

It was clear the team needed a go-to option to star in crunch time during that loss to the Warriors, and Durant is someone who fits the bill as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He is also a two-time champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP who can provide veteran leadership for a young core.

The Rockets surely want that type of leadership around for more than just one season even if he is 37 years old and perhaps not quite playing at the same level he did during his peak.

He was still an All-Star last season who averaged 26.6 points per game, which is the type of production Houston would surely love for the next couple of years if it can come to terms on a new deal.