Kevin Durant is signing a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets after his midsummer commerce from the Suns, his enterprise associate and Boardroom CEO Wealthy Kleiman advised ESPN Sunday.
The Rockets made this blockbuster offseason transfer to compete for a championship this season. Durant, 38, has averaged 25 factors per recreation over the past 16 seasons, and he’s the one participant in NBA historical past to common that many factors for 4 completely different franchises. He is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and finals MVP, a 15-time All Star and a four-time Olympic gold medalist — which is essentially the most in males’s Olympic basketball historical past.
Durant mentioned earlier this month he deliberate to signal an extension in Houston.
“I can not let you know when that can occur, however I do see it taking place,” Durant mentioned. “Simply seeing the short development of this franchise from the place it was proper after that James Harden, Chris Paul period. Seeing with Ime (Udoka) obtained right here and the way he turned it round so quick. I’ve some connections right here across the group, folks I work with across the league already … felt natural and pure coming into the fitness center and being a Houston Rocket for the primary time.”
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Brad Botkin
The Rockets are coming off their first 50-win season since 2018-19. They completed sixth in defensive ranking (111.7) and second in rebound proportion (53.6%) final 12 months, per CBS Sports activities Analysis.
Houston was extraordinarily energetic this offseason other than the Durant acquisition. The Rockets additionally gave extensions to educate Ime Udoka, ahead Jabari Smith and heart Steven Adams, and signed Dorian Finney-Smith in free company.
“It feels superb to be again right here in Houston, with buddies and relationships I’ve constructed since coming to Texas,” Durant mentioned. “All the time felt this was a spot I might settle in and stay really. By no means considered it, however I all the time say Houston is an efficient place to maneuver to, so for this chance to return round, it felt pure and proper.”
