Kevin Durant is staying in Houston, and hes doing it on his own terms.
The 37-year-old superstar has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets a deal that includes a player option for the second year.
The move keeps Durant in Texas, where he once starred at the University of Texas, and signals his intent to finish his legendary career in a Rockets uniform.
Im looking to be here as long as I can, play my last years of my career. Thats the intent, Durant told Sports Illustrateds Chris Mannix. I know, I said that about Phoenix, too, but thats the intent. I would love to do that. I mean, Im 37 years old and Im going on 19 years in the league. I want to be solidified in a spot and build with a team with a group of guys thats going to be around for a while. So hopefully this is it.
The deal represents roughly a $30 million pay cut from what Durant could have made on a maximum extension.
His current contract pays him $54.7 million this season, but the new deal drops that figure by nearly $10 million per year to help give Houston more roster flexibility.
That financial sacrifice allows the Rockets to continue building around their young core, including Amen Thompson, Alperen engn, and Tari Eason, while remaining below the second tax apron.
Despite that, he now the highest career earnings of any NBA player in history ($591 million), surpassing LeBron James $581 million.
Even at 37, Durant remains one of the NBAs most efficient scorers. Last season he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from three-point range. His elite half-court offense is exactly what the Rockets lacked during stretches of last season, and his arrival gives them legitimate title aspirations.
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