ESPN insider says quiet part out loud about Kevin Durant extension talks

As the Houston Rockets enter the season, their two main financial priorities going forward are crystal clear: extending both Tari Eason and offseason acquisition Kevin Durant as soon as the team's situation makes it possible.

While there remains serious uncertainty surrounding Eason's deal given his role moving forward with the team, according to Brian Windhorst on the latest episode of The Hoop Collective there is also uncertainty surrounding what Durant's extension could look like.

Although it has been seen across the league this summer that Durant re-signing in Houston as soon as the two parties agreed on a figure was the most likely outcome, more surprising things have happened in the NBA, and, given the wide range of possible outcomes for the Rockets this year, it is still quite possible that a sub-par season could throw a wrench into extension talks.

The Kevin Durant extension still poses a major risk for the Rockets

In acquiring Durant, Houston knew they were taking a gamble, both in accelerating their championship window and potentially being unable to extend Durant once his contract expires at the end of this season. Yet, it's clear that head coach Ime Udoka and the front office came to a consensus; Durant is worth the gamble.

Last season, through 62 games with the Phoenix Suns, Durant averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists, shooting 43% from 3-point range and maintaining his superstar-caliber production for yet another season as he climbs closer to age 40.

As a result, Durant is likely the superstar scorer this team needed to mount a serious run at the title. At the same time, however, this maintained superstar production could make negotiating an extension somewhat difficult financially, and, according to Windhorst, there are still a number of things that could prove to be obstacles throughout this process: "If it was as simple as averaging him a max contract, if it was as simple as [offering] two years and $120 million, it would've been done... It ain't a deal until it's a deal."

The Rockets, despite the overwhelming youth of their core, is already in a tricky spot financially. Sengun will be entering his first year of a five-year, $185 million extension, Jabari Smith Jr. will soon be entering his a five-year, $122 million extension, and both Tari Eason and Amen Thompson are soon coming due for their individual paydays.

Therefore, the team likely needs Durant to accept something below the max on a short-term deal, something that a player of Durant's caliber would likely only be willing to do if he felt he had a genuine chance to win with the organization.

While what Windhorst points out is, on the surface, obvious, it also hits on a serious, lingering anxiety for fans of Houston as we enter the season. When will a Durant extension ultimately get done and what will the implications be?