Rockets fans should not worry about lack of Kevin Durant extension

The Houston Rockets haven't extended Kevin Durant after acquiring him in a blockbuster deal. One prominent NBA insider says that fans don't need to worry about that.

NBA negotiations can drag. Both sides need to ensure they're reaching a mutually beneficial arrangement. The Rockets can't just max Durant out, and nobody should expect him to take an overly team-friendly deal.

This transaction doesn't happen unless both sides are optimistic about the outcome. The Rockets will extend Durant, but they've got a lot to consider.

Zach Lowe suspects that Tari Eason's pending extension is a factor.

Rockets must prioritize Tari Eason

"My guess would be that Houston is just doing the math of 'where does Tari Eason's deal come in'...(and) how much can we give Kevin without really imperilling ourselves"

-Zach Lowe, The Zach Lowe Show

Lowe's word is worth its weight in gold. He's deeply intelligent and knowledgeable about all things NBA. So, this should be reassuring for Rockets fans:

Still, let's think about this for ourselves.

Part of the logic in acquiring Durant was his price tag. Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick, and some second-rounders are a discounted price for a player of his caliber. The Suns wanted their 2025 first-round pick back, so they parted with Durant for less than market value.

If acquiring Durant indirectly costs the Rockets Eason, the calculus suddenly looks significantly different. He's on pace to be one of the best role players in the NBA. Eason's 2.5 steals per 75 possessions would have ranked third in the NBA if he'd met the minimum games played requirement, and his 9.4 Offensive Rebound % would have ranked first among all non-bigs. His 3.6 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) is indicative of an elite rotation wing.

Yet, Eason's inability to meet the minimum games threshold for a second consecutive year will factor into negotiations as well. It's hard to say what Eason's deal will look like, but it's something the Rockets need to consider alongside Durant's deal. Eason should be a priority for the organization:

But Durant should as well.

Rockets and Kevin Durant will figure out a deal

The Rockets know this. You don't trade for Kevin Durant without a plan.

His deal is likely to be team-friendly to an extent. It should be below a max given Durant's age, but only slightly. He remains one of the most potent scorers in the NBA.

Either way, fans don't need to worry. The Rockets are doing their due diligence. They're balancing priorities, and Rafael Stone has given us every reason to trust his judgment.

Let him worry about Kevin Durant's extension.