One day after signing a multi-year contract extension with the Houston Rockets — and at a rate below the NBA’s maximum salary — Kevin Durant called it a “no-brainer” decision.
“To walk in here every day, you see the attention to detail from everybody,” Durant told reporters after Monday’s practice. It was his first media session since the deal was announced.
“Not just the leadership of Rafael (Stone, general manager) and Ime (Udoka, head coach) and Tilman (Fertitta, owner), but everybody who works in here, (you see) the level of detail that it takes to become a successful team and franchise. So happy I’m a part of that. I want to keep working to build and show my worth here.”
Part of that success is enabled by players occasionally taking below their market value for the sake of putting together a superior roster, which Durant seemingly did in these negotiations.
“Just talking to Rafael and Ime and how they wanted to build the team, and how I seen myself in this organization, I just thought it was a perfect contract for it,” Durant said. “So, I’m glad we can get that out the way (and) won’t have to worry about external noise throughout the season, if I didn’t have a contract signed. So just worry about basketball, and focus on the season.”
Before the extension, 2025-26 was slated to be the final season of Durant’s previous contract, and that often leads to in-season speculation regarding the player’s future. He is now signed through the 2027-28 campaign, though there is a player option for the final season.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: By extending Rockets contract, Kevin Durant grateful to avoid ‘external noise’
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
