Windhorst: Kevin Durant Likely To Sign Extension With Rockets

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says Durant’s camp has “very good optimism” that Kevin Durant will eventually sign an extension with the Houston Rockets. Durant himself told reporters, “I do see myself signing a contract extension. I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen,” pointing to Houston’s rapid turnaround under Ime Udoka and existing connections in the organization. He’s on an expiring $54.7M deal for 2025-26, so an extension would change Houston’s short-term plans and title hopes. Merlin sees more than wishful thinking—this is chemistry as much as contracts. The seven-team trade that brought Durant, the bond with Jabari Smith Jr., and back-to-back winning seasons under Udoka make the fit feel natural. Age and timing are the wild cards, but the stars are aligning.