Rockets Extend Kevin Durant for Two Years; Curry Eyes Playing Past 40; Embiid Makes Preseason Comeback
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HOUSTON — The Rockets have reached a two-year, $90 million extension with Kevin Durant, agent Rich Kleiman told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The agreement, which carries a player option for 2027-28, will take the 37-year-old forward into his 19th NBA season while preserving salary-cap flexibility for Houston.
Phoenix put Durant on the market over the summer, and Houston was among his preferred destinations. The Rockets were unwilling to commit the full two-year, $119 million maximum; Durant accepted less, leaving the club roughly $80 million below the projected second tax apron in 2026-27, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Durant, who is reunited in Houston with former Seattle teammate Jeff Green and several fellow University of Texas alumni now on staff, has said he hopes to finish his career with the Rockets. Last season with the Suns, the 15-time All-Star averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. The new deal pushes his career earnings beyond $598 million, the highest total in league history.
Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry, who turns 37 in March, told EssentiallySports’ Mark Medina he wants “the option” to decide whether to play past age 40. “If I can make the decision and the decision is not made for me, that’s a big, big point,” the Warriors guard said.
Curry was named to the All-NBA Second Team last year, appearing in 70 games and hitting 39.7 percent of his three-pointers while leading the league in attempts and makes. Trainer Brandon Payne said the offseason priority was adding strength and quickening Curry’s decision-making. “I still love it,” Curry added. “I want to keep it going.”
The Warriors waived Seth Curry on Saturday; league rules tied to the second-apron hard cap prevent his return until at least Nov. 11. “I’m not worried about Seth,” coach Steve Kerr told the San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s coming along nicely.”
76ers
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid played for the first time in nearly eight months on Friday, logging 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals in 19 minutes of a preseason win over Minnesota. “I’m in a good space mentally and physically,” the 2023 MVP said, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I’m just happy to touch the basketball and do what I love.”
Recurring left-knee issues limited Embiid to 58 games over the past two seasons, including only 19 in 2023-24. The center acknowledged some days will feel better than others but emphasized the focus on consistency and health heading into opening week.
Source: Hoops Wire
