Houston Rockets are committing to the “now” as they did not waste time in making sure that they got Kevin Durant for more years by signing him to a two-year $90 million extension. Some people expected him to sign a deal bigger than that. Even his own teammate Amen Thompson, probably, as he was caught off guard when learned of the amount.
Amen Thompson says he didn’t know that Kevin Durant took below the max salary on his #Rockets extension.
“Generous guy.” pic.twitter.com/Xm9zIrwLeH
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) October 19, 2025
Turning serious, the 2025 NBA All-Defensive First Team member explained how it important it is for them to have Durant for the long haul.
“It means a lot. We had to get that done expeditiously,” said Thompson with a smile.
“I mean, just the stuff everybody sees, you know, he’s a bucket. A really good teammate, very encouraging. He wants the young guys to be leaders. So, he encourages us, he listens to us, you know? That’s rare for vets.”
The deal puts KD at the top of the list of total career earnings according to Shams Charania.
Kevin Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract. https://t.co/C3l6Zve60R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2025
Kevin Durant’s sacrifice will benefit Amen Thompson, Rockets
While KD is among the oldest in the team, already 37 years old, Rockets are collectively young with most of their core under 25. His sacrifice to not get the full max means he is also invested in the team’s future.
They already re-signed Jabari Smith Jr. by giving him $122 million for five years this summer and up next for them are Thompson and Tari Eason.
Rockets need to decided on Eason as the deadline for rookie-scale extension is already here. The Athletic’s William Guillory and David Aldridge reported that it is about to happen soon after finding financial clarity with Durant.
As for Thompson, regarded as a future superstar, insider Marc Stein said his deal is up next.
“Word is that Houston hopes to re-sign Eason alongside Amen Thompson at a number significantly lower than Jabari Smith Jr.’s five-year, $122 million contract inked early in the summer,” Stein wrote.
The Rockets will start their season Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder missing just one key player in Fred VanVleet. Barring any major obstacle, Durant is expected to suit up.
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