The Houston Rockets are set to begin their 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday, facing off against the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. When the Rockets take the court, fans will immediately notice significant changes to the lineup—most notably, the addition of superstar Kevin Durant.
Durant joined Houston in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns, signaling the franchise’s intent to elevate their team to championship contention. Although Durant’s partnership with the Rockets hasn’t officially started on the court, both sides appear aligned in their vision for the future. This was underscored when Durant signed a two-year, $90 million contract extension on Sunday morning.
### Kevin Durant Passes LeBron James on All-Time Career Earnings List
Investing heavily in Durant may initially seem risky. He recently turned 37 and has had a somewhat nomadic career following his nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since then, Durant has played for the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and most recently, the Phoenix Suns. Furthermore, Durant has been known to hesitate when committing long-term to one franchise.
Yet, Durant is far from your average player. Many analysts argue that he continues to improve with age. Even amid a tumultuous season for the Suns, Durant maintained an impressive stat line: averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting an efficient 52.7% from the field.
That level of performance is why the Rockets are confident investing such a substantial sum in Durant, despite him not yet suiting up for Houston. His durability and sustained excellence are quickly becoming comparable to LeBron James’ longevity in the league. In fact, Durant’s new contract extension has propelled him past James in all-time NBA career earnings, with a record $598.2 million earned in salary.
ESPN’s Shams Charania highlighted the milestone: “Kevin Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract.”
### Durant’s Commitment to Helping the Rockets Win
One of the most interesting aspects of Durant’s new deal is that he actually left money on the table. He could have signed a two-year, $120 million contract but opted for $90 million instead. This concession signals his willingness to work with the Rockets as they build a championship-caliber roster around him.
While LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers remains a hot topic, there is a possibility that he may sign another extension soon, potentially reclaiming the top spot on the career earnings list. For now, however, Durant leads the pack.
In the bigger picture, Durant’s priority is clear: winning his third NBA championship. As the Rockets prepare to tip off their new season later this week, all eyes will be on their new superstar’s quest to bring a title back to Houston.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/houston-rockets/kevin-durant-lebron-james-90-million-contract-extension/