Kevin Durant’s future with the Houston Rockets has been cast in doubt by an NBA reporter.
Durant was traded to the Rockets before the season ended, as Houston looks to take the next step after their 52-30 record last year. They were bounced out of the first round by the Golden State Warriors, and made a big-time acquisition in Durant to make a deep run next season.
They traded young star Jalen Green in order to get Durant, leading many to believe they were shortening their championship window to win now. However, an NBA reporter revealed that the Rockets aren’t necessarily committed to Durant.
The Houston Rockets may not offer Kevin Durant an extension
Durant is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent next season. This is his fifth team, and most expected Houston to be where he will suit up for years to come.
He is one of the NBA’s all-time greats, and is set to pass Michael Jordan in scoring this season. But that’s not enough to convince Houston to commit to Durant long-term.
NBA reporter Tim MacMahon explained on The Hoop Collective Podcast, “The Rockets aren’t going to go all-in. From what I’ve heard, they’re not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but there’s been rumblings of KD not pushing for the full max.
“I don’t know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that’s close to the full max. I don’t think they would panic if they go into the season with Durant on the contract he’s currently on, just the expiring deal.”
NBA teams have been hesitant to commit to long-term deals for big money this offseason. The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga haven’t come to an agreement, nor have the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to clear salaries when Jayson Tatum got injured.
Durant could be the latest casualty of this, and his best hope is lifting the Rockets into title contention.
Houston Rockets championship would elevate Kevin Durant’s legacy more than both titles with the Golden State Warriors
If Durant were to win the Houston Rockets their first NBA championship since the 1990s, it would elevate his legacy more than anything else he has achieved in his storied career.
Durant’s move to Golden State was controversial. He joined three of the greatest players of all time, who just beat him in the Conference Finals, and went on to win two NBA championships.
He won as part of a stacked roster, and the Warriors won a title before he joined, and after he left. And since then, Durant has struggled to make an impression in the latter stages of the postseason.
He didn’t go without legendary individual performances. With the Brooklyn Nets, he went off for 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists in game five of the second round against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
He had 47 in game seven, and was a toenail away from hitting a game-winner. Instead, his toe was on the line and what the world thought was a three turned out to be a two, and the Nets lost in overtime.
Durant didn’t come close with the Phoenix Suns, and they didn’t even make the play-in last season. Now he has a real shot with a contender, who were elite in the regular season last year. If he can elevate them to championship status, it will be Durant’s greatest accomplishment.