Houston was one of many groups on Durant’s checklist of most popular locations when the Suns put him on the commerce block through the summer time, so there was an expectation after the 2 groups agreed to a deal that Durant and the Rockets would work out an settlement of their very own.
Nonetheless, there was also a sense that the Rockets weren’t prepared to present Durant the utmost extension he was been eligible for, which was price roughly $119M over two years (primarily based on a projected $166M cap). That most wage determine would’ve elevated barely on the six-month mark after the commerce, however the 37-year-old couldn’t signal an extension longer than two years as a result of over-38 rule.
Finally, the 2 sides agreed to an extension that can see Durant take a pay lower from his present $54.7M wage however nonetheless represents an enormous payday for a participant coming into his nineteenth NBA season. In response to Charania, there was an understanding when Durant was dealt to the Rockets that he wouldn’t push for a most contract as a way to assist the group preserve flexibility to construct and retain its roster going ahead.
Durant has expressed this fall that he feels comfy in Houston, the place he has reunited with one-time Seattle SuperSonics teammate Jeff Inexperienced (story by way of Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle) and fellow College of Texas alums Royal Ivey, D.J. Augustin, and Dexter Pittman, every of whom has a job inside the Rockets’ group, by way of Lerner. As Chris Mannix of SI.com wrote in a function story earlier this week, Durant is hopeful that he’ll retire as a Rocket.
“I’m seeking to be right here so long as I can, play my final years of my profession,” he mentioned. “That’s the intent. I do know, I mentioned that about Phoenix, too, however that’s the intent. I’d love to do this. I imply, I’m 37 years outdated and I’m occurring 19 years within the league. I need to be solidified in a spot and construct with a group with a gaggle of men that’s going to be round for some time. So hopefully that is it.”
Though Durant’s stint with the Suns didn’t play out as he or the group hoped, the 15-time All-Star continued to place up monster offensive numbers throughout his time in Phoenix. In 62 video games final season, he averaged 26.6 factors, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 36.5 minutes per evening, with a taking pictures line of .527/.430/.839.
The Rockets are optimistic that Durant’s means to attain within the half-court setting will elevate their ceiling after they struggled in these conditions, particularly in crunch time, throughout final season’s first-round playoff sequence vs. Golden State.
In response to Charania (Twitter link), Durant’s new contract – together with the participant possibility – will increase his complete profession present and future earnings to over $598.2M, which is an NBA document. LeBron James was the earlier record-holder, coming in at $583.9M.
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