Kevin Durant didn’t have to take less. The Rockets, flush with cap space and confidence, would have given him the extension at a full $120 million if he wanted it. Instead, he agreed to two years at $90 million, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. At 37, his decision to re-up for much less than his resume commanded says as much about what he still wants as what he no longer needs. The max would have been a declaration of value; the discount is a statement of intent. And for his new digs, it’s both a coup and a calculated risk, signaling belief in the present without fully surrendering the future.
Durant remains a singular scorer, efficient even as the years have taken their toll on his athleticism. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points on 53% shooting, numbers that automatically justify the max in any other context. That said, he’s not chasing nostalgia with the Rockets. With Alperen Sengun’s steadiness and Amen Thompson’s athleticism, they have enough talent — anchored on his gravity, of course — to chase a championship. And, critically, they’re not doing so on borrowed time. By convincing him to take less, they gained both credibility and cap flexibility
To be sure, the signing does not come without risk. Superstars believe they can age gracefully until they don’t; pro hoops annals are littered with examples of efficiency turning to fragility with nary a warning. Durant’s game, reliant on touch and rhythm rather than brute force, has kept Father Time at bay better than most marquee names, but the margins are thin. The Rockets can turn to youth to cover for fatigue, but there can be no counter to his possible absence. And, clearly, they’re betting that a shorter, cheaper deal can insulate them from decline; if things unravel, they can pivot quickly. It’s a rational bet, true, but it’s still a bet.
This year’s free agency has been marked by restraint as opposed to extravagance. Would-be employers are weighing star power against financial sanity under a brutal collective bargaining regime, mindful of the new tax apron and the cost of inflexibility. The Rockets’ move fits this new calculus: an expensive but measured push, and an acknowledgment that contention can no longer be built on splash alone. In this regard, Durant’s deal stands as a signal that title bids now need to come with prudence.
The logic of Durant affixing his Hancock at a significant discount is evident. He gets a chance to compete without chasing every last dollar, or precisely because he refused to chase it. On return, the Rockets get relevance without recklessness. Only time will tell whether the partnership pays off, but, or now, both sides understand what they’re buying into: two years together, and one more shot at meaning.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.