HOUSTON — During his first official news conference in a Houston Rockets uniform, Kevin Durant didn’t waste any time eliminating any doubts about his future with his new team.
“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant said at Rockets media day on Monday. “I can’t tell you exactly when it’ll happen. But I do see it happening.”
Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, but he made clear on Monday that he intends to be with the Rockets beyond the one year left on his current deal. Durant is eligible to sign a two-year extension worth more than $120 million.
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone was asked on Monday about extension talks with Durant, but he declined to comment on how close the two sides are to agreeing on a new deal.
The Rockets acquired the 15-time All-Star via a blockbuster trade in June to add to a talented young roster that won 52 games last season and finished second in the Western Conference.
Last season, Durant put up All-NBA-caliber numbers on a Phoenix Suns team that fought through problems on and off the court. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists, while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 43 percent on 3-pointers. The Suns, however, won 36 games and missed the postseason.
Season 19, can’t wait
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) September 29, 2025
When asked what made the Rockets an intriguing landing spot, Durant pointed to the young talent on the roster, his relationship with head coach Ime Udoka and the rapid growth the organization has displayed over the past few seasons.
“Just seeing the quick progression of this franchise, from where it was right after that Chris Paul-James Harden era to seeing what (Rockets coach) Ime (Udoka) got here and how he turned it around so fast,” Durant said. “It just felt organic and natural coming into the gym and being a Houston Rocket for the first time.”
In the deal to acquire Durant, the Rockets sent out talented young guard Jalen Green, defensive specialist Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft. Green was one of the breakout stars on Houston’s 52-win team last season, but his struggles during the team’s first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors made some question whether he could be the person to lead this team into the future as the No. 1 option.
7 🤝 1 🤝 28 pic.twitter.com/gjS78ZMmgJ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 29, 2025
KD has HIGH PRAISE for Amen & Alpi.
Who’s ready to see this trio?? pic.twitter.com/6J81YXNqBZ
– NBA (@nba) September 29, 2025
Although Stone dismissed the notion that last year’s loss to the Warriors pushed the team to seek out potential Green trades, he did admit that Durant is the ideal fit for what Houston needs as a half-court scorer and a reliable closer late in games.
With Durant in the building, the expectations are much higher than before.
“There’s just not many people in the history of the NBA who have the capacity to do what Kevin’s done throughout his career,” Stone said. “It became an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Durant’s presence will be even more pivotal after Rockets starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL during an offseason workout. He’ll likely be sidelined for the entire season.
Not only was VanVleet’s veteran presence a major part of Houston’s success last season, but his ability to control the offense and hit timely shots was needed on a team that doesn’t have a lot of replacement options to fill that role.
Although Udoka said Monday that he foresees lottery picks Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard taking on more ballhandling responsibilities with VanVleet out, the expectation is that several players will assume greater shot-creation responsibilities to compensate for the loss.
“I think playmaking is a team thing. As many plays we make for each other throughout the game, the better,” Durant said. “Sometimes, you don’t always get the assist for it. Sometimes, you don’t even touch the ball, and you’re creating a play for your teammates. If we play together, if we play off each other and move our bodies, we all can showcase our playmaking talents.”
Even without VanVleet, the Rockets have high expectations with Durant’s arrival. Many of the Rockets’ key rotation players didn’t get their first taste of the playoffs until last season’s first-round loss against the Warriors, but the target will now be on them from day one.
Durant, who has plenty of experience dealing with the weight of championship expectations, said his focus going into training camp won’t be speaking on the finish line. For this group, he wants the focus to be on the day-to-day process that leads there.
“I never talk about championships with any team I’ve ever been on. You just put your head down and work hard every single day,” Durant said. “The formula, I’ve felt, in the league the last few years has been to have size, to have guys who can penetrate, guys who can create extra possessions for you, guys who can switch and guard multiple possessions. … I feel like we’ve got bits and pieces of all those attributes on our team now. It’s just all about how we cook it all up and come together and form who we want to be.”
(Photo of Kevin Durant: Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
