Why doesn t KD sign 122 million in two years? The Rockets may want to cut their salary, and Ethan s contract renewal still has a 77-day deadline

Rockets completed a seven-party deal and got Durant. Then Stone praised Kevin Durant at the press conference, but did not mention the topic of Durant's early contract renewal. The rumors spread from the outside world were that "the Rockets will finalize an early contract renewal with Durant before the season."

36-year-old Durant's 25-26 season is the last year of his contract, with an annual salary of 54.7 million. The Rockets will not only want to get the right to use KD for one year. They definitely hope that KD's final peak will remain in Houston.

According to previous analysis by Bobby Max, Durant can renew a two-year maximum salary of 122 million yuan with the Rockets this summer (the restricted 38-year-old clause can only be signed for two years). If he waits until the salary cap rises again in January 2026, he can sign a two-year maximum salary of 124 million yuan. Both of these maximum salary are more than 60 million yuan, but why has the Rockets been slow to take action?

This certainly has something to do with the salary space. If Durant signs a maximum salary of 122 million in two years, then he will occupy 61 million in the summer of 2026. The total salary of the Rockets' 9-man roster will be as high as 140 million. Including Durant's 61 million, it will exceed 200 million. For Stone, he will definitely hope to let KD choose to reduce his salary during Durant's contract renewal negotiations.

Secondly, the Rockets have another mission this summer - renewing Tari Ethan. The 24-year-old Ethan has proved his super defensive talent. This summer, Xiao Jia has received a five-year contract renewal of 122 million yuan. Ethan's contract renewal will not be much lower than JA. The deadline for Ethan's contract renewal is October 20, which means that the Rockets have 77 days left to discuss contract renewal with Durant. Durant's renewal will be before Ethan, which is all for the flexibility of future salary.

Stone can only negotiate with Ethan if the contract renewal amount is negotiated with Durant. The outside world generally believes that Ethan can get 90 million in four years or about 110 million in five years. If Durant is willing to reduce the salary significantly in advance in advance renewal, the Rockets will have more room to negotiate with Ethan. Stone and Fertitta do not want the team to become a team that will surpass the second rich line soon.