Kevin Durant will not be playing on an expiring contract in his first season in Houston as he chalks up a unique milestone in NBA history.
The 15-time NBA All-Star has agreed to a two-year extension worth US$90 million ($138 million) with the Rockets, the New York Post reports.
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It includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, his business partner Rich Kleiman told ESPN.
The deal is for about $30 million less than the maximum contract extension of $120 million over two years that the 37-year-old Durant was eligible for following an off-season trade from the Suns.
The former Nets forward is slated to earn $54.7 million this season, and the new deal will push his career earnings to US$598.2 million ($922.4m), the most in NBA history.
Lakers star LeBron James held the previous mark at $583.9 million, including future earnings.
Durant was acquired from Phoenix in July in a record seven-team blockbuster swap.
The Suns picked up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick (Khaman Maluach) and two second-round picks in the deal.
Durant averaged 26.6 points and shot 43.0 per cent from three-point range in 62 appearances last season, but the Suns missed the playoffs with a 36-46 record.
The Rockets finished last season with 52 wins for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
But they were knocked out by the Warriors in seven games in the first round and opted to make a major move.
Durant, a two-time NBA champion with Golden State, should provide Houston with perimeter scoring alongside All-Star big man Alperen Sengun.
KD ranks No. 8 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and should pass Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki in career points this season, as long as he remains healthy.
His current streak of 16 consecutive seasons averaging at least 25 points per game ranks second all-time to James, whose 20-year streak since 2004-05 ended last season when he posted 24.4 per game for the Lakers.
The Nets traded Durant to Phoenix at the 2023 trade deadline, acquiring since-departed Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson in addition to four first-round draft picks.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission
