Kevin Durant said he envisions signing a contract extension with the Houston Rockets as he enters the season on an expiring $55 million contract. Durant and the Rockets were expected by some to have already finalized an extension following his trade from the Phoenix Suns.
“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant said Monday. “I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening.”
Durant is eligible to sign for more than $120 million over two seasons. But the Rockets have an expanding payroll situation as Jabari Smith Jr. already signed a five-year, $122 million extension while Tari Eason could also sign one.
Durant’s relationship with head coach Ime Udoka factored into his preference for a trade from the Suns to the Rockets.
“I wasn’t expecting to leave Phoenix that quickly, but that’s just the nature of the game,” Durant said. “So I quickly just thought about who I was comfortable with. … Ime has always been one of those guys that understood what I brought to the table and my mentality and my approach to the game. He always respected that and gave me my space to be me. So that was one of the first things I thought about.”
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone declined the opportunity to comment on the state of extension talks with Durant.