Kevin Durant was not going to stay quiet as one NBA reporter commented on his latest contract extension with the Houston Rockets. With the 2025-26 NBA

Superstars drawing frequent whistles — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being the latest example — always spark debate, and Durant was no different as that aspect of his game became a hot topic when his Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Boston Celtics in a regular-season matchup just weeks before that year's NBA playoffs.

Kevin Durant will soon start a new chapter in his NBA career after a terrible stint with the Phoenix Suns. Around the time of last season’s trade deadline, there was talk about the Suns looking to move Durant.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday that Durant and the Western Conference team agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension. The deal was for less money than he was eligible for but provides the Rockets more financial flexibility and still gave him the record for career earnings:

Kevin Durant explained the basketball reasons and emotions behind why he pushed back against the Phoenix Suns' attempts at trading him.

Kevin Durant says reuniting with his UT teammates D.J. Augustin and Dexter Pittman, who are on the Rockets' staff, is a 'cherry on top' in Houston

Among Durant’s longtime critics has been Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Charles Barkley, who in 2022 infamously called out Durant: “If you ain’t driving the bus, don’t walk around talking about you a champion” (via TNT Sports US ).

In Netflix's documentary, Durant and Harden each talked about Gilgeous-Alexander. They both spoke highly of him and what he's accomplished on the Thunder. He was able to bring home a Larry O'Brien trophy — something the first two never did in OKC.

KD wanted to join a title contender that wouldn’t gut its roster to get him. Houston wanted a star to complement its talented core, not carry it.