Kevin Durant and LeBron James have defined an entire generation of basketball over the length of their careers. With close to 40 years of experience between the two of them, they have notched virtually every accolade and honor that there is to accomplish in the NBA. In recent years, they have rewritten what the age of success for a basketball star even means, as they continue to dominate into their late 30s and early 40s.
That is why their demand remains sky high across the league, with a trade sending Durant to the Houston Rockets seen as a move that could potentially flip the NBA hierarchy on its head. But the move to Houston doesn’t seem to be another instance of the near-7-footer trying to maximize his championship window. Instead, for a player who might be nearing the end of his run, his contract extension may signal a desire to end his career with the Rockets. Simultaneously, it has also given him a rare edge over James.
Kevin Durant Overtakes LeBron James
Over the course of their careers, the two were frequently regarded as 1A and 1B on the list of the best players on the planet. That distinction may have changed in recent years with the arrival of younger superstars.
But the respect and attention KD and LBJ command are still second to none. As a result, there was a huge market for Durant when the idea of a potential move out of the Phoenix Suns became a possibility.
Eventually, he joined the Rockets, with the expectation being that he could take them over the playoff hump. After finishing as the second seed in a brutal Western Conference last year, Houston could only manage a seven-game series with the Golden State Warriors.
The arrival of a two-time NBA Champion could allow them to absolve some of their postseason woes. But their run with Durant isn’t going to be a one-year rental. After expressing his desire to remain with the Rockets for an extended period of time, the former league MVP put the money where his mouth was.
ESPN insider Shams Charania made the news official on X, stating, “BREAKING: Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, his business partner and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman tells ESPN. The new deal includes a player option in 2027-28.”
BREAKING: Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, his business partner and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman tells ESPN. The new deal includes a player option in 2027-28. pic.twitter.com/5GdhzgnSPa
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2025
It wasn’t just the deal itself that caught people’s attention. Firstly, the amount was nearly $30 million less than what he could have gotten had he chosen to remain with the Suns. But the allure of competing for a championship allowed him to make that decision.
An interesting bit of trivia, though, may have helped as well. “Kevin 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 ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract.”
Kevin 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 ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract. https://t.co/C3l6Zve60R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2025
While James, with the exception of his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, has made it a habit to sign short one or two-year deals to keep the pressure on the organization, Durant has opted for massive extensions to get his money’s worth.
