Over the weekend, highly decorated Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with a player option for the 2027-28 season. On the surface, this deal simply cements the up-and-coming Texas team as Durant’s NBA home. However, Durant’s newest contract doesn’t just keep him in Houston for the foreseeable future.
Rockets Superstar Kevin Durant Surpasses Lakers Legend LeBron James in Top 10
With $598.2 million in career earnings, Durant has now surpassed Los Angeles Lakers legened LeBron James ($581.3 million) to become the highest-earning player in NBA history.
To be clear, after picking up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, James is expected to reach free agency next summer.
Amen Thompson descobrindo que o Kevin Durant aceitou um desconto na renovação para o Rockets conseguir pagar os jovens
“Que cara generoso” KKKKKKKKKKKKKK pic.twitter.com/wFHcGJc7su
— NBA LEGENDADA 🇧🇷 (@NBALegendada) October 20, 2025
As he’ll turn 42 years old early in the 2026-27 season, he may not be offered a max contract as he’s become accustomed to. Furthermore, due to the NBA’s over-38 rule, he won’t be able to sign a contract longer than two years. That’s assuming that he would even want to play that long, as he’s yet to put a firm date on when he wants to wrap up his storied career.
However, James could retake his lead as highest-earning NBA player of all-time in 2026. All he would have to do is sign a contract worth $18 million, the same amount that Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams will be making in 2026-27. That certainly isn’t too far-fetched.
How Durant’s On-Court Dominance Translated Into Unmatched Wealth
Durant’s goal entering the 2025-26 season probably wasn’t to become the league’s all-time highest-earner. Given his competitive nature, it’s fair to assume that the two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP his mind on a different mountaintop. In fact, the decisions he’s made since departing from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 have all been made with the intent of him being able to win rings.
Even so, Durant’s ability to rake in more dollars than any player before him speaks volumes about his talent. While many focus on what James or Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry have been able to accomplish as the defining players of a generation, he’s been right there the entire time.
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Though not quite as influential as those two, he’s even made his mark on the next generation, with players like Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey viewing him as an inspiration.
Frankly, for all of the impact he’s had on viewership and the game itself, the NBA’s $598.2 million man might even be underpaid.
