Kevin Durant's situation takes major turn after Devin Booker's record deal

With Devin Booker officially signing a two-year max extension worth $145 million this week, the spotlight now shifts to Kevin Durant. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer is now a member of the Houston Rockets. Given what Booker just secured from Phoenix, there is no reason to think Durant will settle for anything less.

This is where things could get interesting. If Houston isn't prepared to offer KD a similar type of extension as what Booker just got, they may be putting themselves at risk of losing Durant altogether when he becomes a free agent in 2026.

It feels strange to say that Durant might have the leverage here. But right now, he absolutely does. Booker just reset the bar for what high-level wings can earn on short-term deals, and while Durant is nearing the back end of his career, his game has not fallen off much if at all. He averaged 26.6 points on 52.7 percent shooting this past season and remained one of the most efficient isolation scorers in the league. He still looks like a player who can swing a playoff series by himself.

Durant may command a similar payday as Booker

The Rockets knew they were taking on some long-term implications when they traded for KD. It was never just about the next year or two, it was about accelerating their timeline and surrounding their young core with someone who could show them how to win. But with that decision also comes the responsibility of treating Durant like the caliber of player he still is. That means potentially giving him a significant payday.

Durant is not going to be interested in playing on expiring contracts or short-team rentals. If the Rockets want him to lead this team into the next stage of contention, they will have to pay accordingly. Booker’s deal just set the standard, and KD has every reason to expect that same number, or something very close to it.

If Houston balks at that price tag, then things may get complicated. Durant will be entering free agency in 2026, and while he will be 37 by then, there will still be a market for his services. Plenty of teams would pay for a year or two of elite-level scoring and veteran leadership. And if the Rockets are not on the same page financially, there is a real chance this partnership could be short-lived.

So while all eyes were on Booker this week, it is Durant’s situation that Rockets fans may want to be thinking about now. He and his agent are watching, and the Rockets should be ready to pay up when the time comes.