Kevin Durant surpasses LeBron James after contract extension with Rockets

Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s elite players, is set to join the Houston Rockets for the upcoming season. Following a close negotiation between the Phoenix Suns and the Rockets, the franchise finalized a contract extension that positions Durant ahead of LeBron James in career earnings.

As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, “Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, according to his business partner and Boardroom CEO, Rich Kleiman.” Charania shared this update on his social media platform, X.

Charania further disclosed that this extension propels Durant to the top of the NBA’s career earnings list. “Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million, based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James, who stands at $583.9 million,” Charania noted on X.

With this substantial financial commitment from the Rockets, expectations are high among the fan base as Durant prepares to embark on his 18th NBA season. The team and its supporters are looking forward to a strong regular season performance from the veteran star.

Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets.

Durant’s sacrifice in securing his extension

In the report by Charania, it was uncovered that a significant effort was made by Durant to facilitate his contract extension with the team. This move underscores the commitment and strategic planning behind Durant’s decision to align with the franchise’s future goals.

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According to Charania, “Durant was eligible for a max extension of $120 million, but he understood, when he chose the Rockets as his trade destination, that he would be sacrificing financially—approximately $30 million less—in order to secure a long-term partnership with the team. This move provides the franchise with valuable flexibility for future team-building.”

The terms of Durant’s contract extension

Through this contract extension, Durant has committed to the Rockets for the next three years, binding him to the team through the 2027-2028 season, at which point he will have the option for a player option. This framework not only brings stability to the team’s roster but showcases Durant’s long-term commitment to the organization’s aspirations.

In this landscape, the Rockets have successfully locked in one of their premier players, reinforcing their lineup not just for the upcoming season, but for the foreseeable future. With Durant as a crucial cornerstone, the Rockets aim to position themselves as frontrunners in the NBA, striving to achieve supremacy in the league.