Kevin Durant's $90M Extension: Rockets' Title Gambit

Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year, $90 million extension with the Houston Rockets — roughly $30 million below the max he could have taken — a conscious pay cut to give the franchise roster flexibility. As Rich Kleiman noted, Durant "understood when he chose the Rockets as a trade destination that he would be sacrificing money," a choice that already pushes his career earnings near NBA records. Merlin sees this as a veteran bargain with purpose: Durant trading salary for a stronger supporting cast around Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and likely-extended Tari Eason, even as Fred VanVleet rehabs. Leave the money now, the oracle whispers, and you may buy years of contention later.