By Olaitan Ibrahim
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has officially become the highest-earning player in NBA history after signing a blockbuster two-year deal worth $90 million with the franchise.
The new contract pushes Durant’s total career earnings including current and future salaries to $598.2 million, surpassing Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who has earned $583.9 million to date.
Durant, 37, joined the Rockets in July as part of what has been described as the largest trade in NBA history, which saw Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and three other players move to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the veteran forward.
The move immediately strengthened Houston’s bid for a championship, as the team looks to reclaim the glory of its back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. The Rockets finished last season with the second-best record in the Western Conference, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but were eliminated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors.
Durant remains one of the league’s most consistent scorers. Last season with the Suns, he averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, showing no signs of decline despite his age.
With two NBA titles and multiple scoring crowns to his name, the 13-time All-Star is now eyeing his third championship and first since leaving the Warriors in 2019.
As the Rockets prepare for the new season, all eyes will be on Durant to see if his arrival can finally push Houston back into championship contention.