Rockets unlikely to provide Kevin Durant with a contract extension offer approaching the maximum, according to a recent report
Houston Rockets Pursue Lower-Than-Max Contract Extension for Kevin Durant
The Houston Rockets are reportedly considering offering a contract extension to Kevin Durant that falls short of the maximum amount, as the veteran star enters the final year of his current deal.
Durant, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, was traded to the Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in a deal that included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and this year's first-round pick.
The max extension available for Durant is a two-year deal worth approximately $122 million. However, the Rockets are not planning to hand out the maximum money to Durant, according to various reports.
The Rockets' future financial and roster plans center around their young core, which includes Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason. This limits their flexibility to offer Durant a max-level deal.
The team and Durant are reportedly taking a patient approach to extension talks without urgency, and neither side is panicking if no deal is reached before the season starts.
Although Durant is eligible for a two-year max extension of about $122 million, the Rockets appear to be reluctant to commit that much money given Durant’s age (soon to be 37) and the organization's long-term planning.
The Rockets' potential offer for Durant would fall short of the maximum offer. The team's contract offers often have shorter lengths, descending structures, options, or non-guaranteed years to reduce long-term risk.
The Rockets might consider a deal of two years, $100 million as enough savings to be valuable. This estimated offer range for Durant's extension is significantly below the $122 million max, reflecting a more cautious and financially conservative stance.
The Rockets have been disciplined in contract offers under the new collective bargaining agreement, with a focus on maintaining financial flexibility and roster balance.
The Rockets' move to acquire Durant has given them an elite scorer and proven commodity on the wing, but the team's approach to his contract extension suggests a careful and strategic approach to their roster management.
Sources:
- ESPN
- The Athletic
- Sports Illustrated
- CBS Sports
- Houston Chronicle
- Despite reports of a potential contract extension, the Houston Rockets may only offer Kevin Durant a deal that is lower than the maximum contract, which is a two-year deal worth approximately $122 million.
- If Durant accepts a contract offer from the Rockets, it is expected to have a shorter length, descending structures, options, or non-guaranteed years to reduce the long-term risk for the organization.
- The Rockets' offer for Durant's extension could be as low as two years and $100 million, significantly below the $122 million maximum, according to various reports.
- The Rockets' decision to pursue a lower-than-max contract extension for Durant aligns with their long-term planning and focus on maintaining financial flexibility and roster balance.
