Kevin Durant says Suns departure for Rockets was ‘organic’ and would accept contract extension
Former Sun now-Rocket Kevin Durant said he would accept a contract extension with Houston if the opportunity presented itself.
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One reporter didn’t beat around the bush with Kevin Durant at the 2025 Houston Rockets media day on Monday.
“Do you see yourself signing a contract extension?”
“I can’t tell you when it will happen, but I do see it happening,” Durant said.
After 2.5 tumultuous seasons with the Phoenix Suns, the 2014 NBA MVP in June was shipped to the Rockets for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The “Big 3 experiment” of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal disintegrated, with rampant injuries as one of just several reasons why it didn’t play out the way Suns front office members envisioned it might.
Monday officially marked the beginning of Durant’s journey with his fifth NBA franchise in Year 19.
The sites, sounds and organizational flow aren’t something that Durant has had to get used to.
“I have some connections within the organization, people I work with around league already, so it just felt organic and natural coming into the gym, being a Houston Rocket for the first time,” Durant said.
High expectations with his arrival is nothing new for the two-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors. Durant is joining a cast of highly talented youth in Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. and a cast that also includes major veteran presence in Steven Adams, Clint Capela and Jeff Green, to name a few.
Durant recognized the writing on the wall near the end of his tenure in Phoenix, yet he never posed a negative stance toward the franchise. He simply just recognized a better opportunity in a state he played college ball and calls his home.
“I always felt this was a place I could settle in and live, actually,” says Kevin Durant of returning to Texas and now playing in #Houston.
Durant speaking at #Rockets media day (w/ @zacktKHOU). @KHOU pic.twitter.com/4Ucna7eYRz— Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) September 29, 2025
Now, on his 37th birthday, Durant said he is looking forward to “roaming” around the city before the season gets serious.
“I’m looking forward to just roaming to be honest,” Durant said. “I’m just looking forward to immersing myself in the community and figuring out my rhythm within this community.”
Legacy of Kevin Durant brought up again
Durant’s legacy was a talking point again on Monday, and it’s a word that he’s found “confusing” over the past few years. Time with Phoenix and the media attention that came with that may have muddied the public’s perception of his legacy, but to him it’s simple: impact.
Championships have been a byproduct, but at the end of the day, impact reaches far beyond that, according to the 6-foot-11 sharpshooter.
“For me, it’s just always been about impact, building good relationships within the organization,” Durant said. “I just feel like every place that I’ve been, from the outside looking in, it may have been a tough breakup from each team that I’ve gone to, but behind the scenes I’ve built so many great relationships with people, lifelong friendships that are formed from playing in these organizations.
“I’m looking forward to just doing that, and building upon that every single day.”
The Rockets haven’t won a league title since their back-to-back championships in 1994-95, led by all-time great Hakeem Olajuwon, who sits as the No. 14 scorer in NBA history at 26,946 points. Durant said he wants to live up to standard of the team’s “past legends” even though any team he’s been a part of hasn’t talked about championship aspirations.
“We’re kinda standing on the backs of what they did and we’re trying to take it to that same level,” Durant said. “The hope and the dream is to surpass that level, but first we just want to keep working hard just so we can earn that respect in the league.”
The Suns, in contrast to a championship-ready — or at the very least Western Conference-contending — Rockets, are trying to find their identity through a busy offseason after cutting ties with Durant and Beal, who was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Comments
5 Comments
Fixed that for you, Moses. When Taco Bell accepts your application, take the job.
Reed will get the opportunity but IMO he isn't any better than Collin Gillespie. I believe Amen Thompson will handle the ball quite a bit. But Houston suddenly short-handed in the backcourt. Ironically or coincidently they suddenly could use a "Grayson Allen". Reed Shepard reminds me of former Suns guard Kyle Macy also from Kentucky. Phoenix completed a sign and trade after five seasons that sent Macy to Chicago for a couple of 2nd rd picks. The following season Chicago sent him to Indiana for a couple of 2nd rd picks. Then off to Italy.
My point? Reed Shepard is not the answer and was the wrong pick at #3. Houston should have taken Stephon Castle.
Rockets lose 3/5s of their starting lineup from last year and currently don't have their PG.....will be interesting to see what happens. Is Reed Shepherd poised to start?