Rockets expect content Kevin Durant as second Houston season begins

General manager Rafael Stone said Durant made clear he wants to stay in Houston, while the star forward takes a day-by-day view entering year 20.

Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Tuesday at the team's media day that Kevin Durant has expressed a strong desire to remain with the franchise. Durant holds a player option for the 2027 offseason, but Stone said the forward told him after last season how much he enjoyed his time with the team, and that the feeling is mutual.

Durant, entering his 20th NBA season and turning 38 next week, declined to frame Houston as his final NBA stop. He said he is taking things one day at a time and has enjoyed coming to work, while leaving the future open.

The topic of minutes also came up. Head coach Ime Udoka has discussed reducing Durant's load after injuries limited him for most of the 2026 playoffs, when Houston lost in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant said he is open to playing less if games are decided early, but he wants to be on the court when the game demands it.

Udoka called last season's 52-30 record decent but not good enough, noting that 18 of the team's 30 losses involved blown double-digit leads. He said the goal is to make real noise beyond the first round.

Houston hopes added veterans Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams and Marcus Smart, along with continued development of younger players, will create a deeper rotation that allows Durant rest while keeping the team competitive.