Kevin Durant is already doing the Rockets a huge favor before even playing a game

The Houston Rockets were initially reluctant to trade for Kevin Durant due to his age, but it ultimately only took Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the draft. That is quite the deal for the Rockets, giving them a lethal scoring option who boosts their title chances.

Durant is eligible to sign an extension, as the 2025-26 season is the last on his current contract. He'll make $54.7 million. It says a lot that an extension didn't happen soon after the June trade, and based on the latest update from ESPN's Tim MacMahon, one may not happen before the start of the season.

MacMahon pointed out that it won't be a max extension, or else it would've happened as part of the trade. He said that if Durant wanted that, the trade probably wouldn't have happened.

The report doesn't mean that there is trouble brewing between KD and Houston. MacMahon said there is no urgency to finalize a deal. The Rockets have other business they need to tend to, and Durant gets that.

Kevin Durant is all-in on winning a championship with the Rockets

Houston can sign Durant to a two-year, $122 million extension. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reported that a source at summer league said KD could be willing to accept a contract in the two-year, $100 million range, which would still be $50 million per year. As Helin noted, Durant could even take less than that.

The Rockets' plan when they traded for KD wasn't for it to be a one-year rental, so it's not like they don't want to get a deal done. As MacMahon said, he might be their best player, but he isn't their priority. Houston won't sacrifice its future for KD by giving him every cent that he can get.

Durant not pushing to sign a max extension as part of the trade further proves that his primary focus is on winning a championship. Houston was one of the teams on his preferred destinations list, and he has spoken highly of the organization.

He understands the Rockets' situation, so it wouldn't be surprising at all if he takes less money than he's eligible for. Durant isn't chasing the money as he'll soon turn 37 next month, but he wants to win.

Based on where he is now and where he was the past couple of years, KD is in a much better position to do that now.