Kevin Durant Not Being Offered $120M Max Contract by Rockets Reportedly is 'Clear'

Entering his first season with the Houston Rockets and final year of his current contract, Kevin Durant doesn't appear to have a max extension available to him right now.

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, it seems "clear" the Rockets haven't put the two-year, $120 million offer that Durant is eligible for on the table because it "would be done" by now if it was.

There are some factors that could potentially be in play holding up a new deal.

As of right now, the Rockets only have $92.7 million in guaranteed money on their books for 2026-27. That figure will likely go up very soon with Tari Eason negotiating a rookie extension that ESPN's Bobby Marks projected could come in around $80 million over four years.

Amen Thompson isn't eligible for an extension until next summer, but he could increase his value exponentially if he excels in his expected role as the lead playmaker with Fred VanVleet likely out for the season due to a torn ACL.

Speaking of VanVleet's injury, his $25 million player option for 2026-27 seems to be more in play now than it was before he went down. If the Eason extension gets done at the projected number and VanVleet opts in, that adds $45 million to the payroll with seven players under contract.

An estimated $60 million salary for Durant next season would have the Rockets' payroll around $197 million between eight players. Thompson and Reed Sheppard seem like safe bets to have the team options on their rookie deals picked up by the Oct. 31 deadline, so that will add $23.4 million to the payroll and put them right on the brink of exceeding the projected $223.1 million second apron for 2026-27.

Windhorst noted there is "some haggling going on beneath the max," with Eason's potential extension possibly impacting Durant as the Rockets think about the apron.

Durant told reporters on the first day of training camp last month that he does envision signing an extension with the Rockets, but "I can't tell you exactly when" that will happen" it will happen.

The Rockets acquired Durant from the Phoenix Suns as part of a seven-team trade in July. He is joining a roster that is looking to take the next step after winning 52 games last season before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.