Kevin Durant envisions signing extension to stay with Rockets - ESPN

HOUSTON — Kevin Durant said he envisions himself signing a contract extension with the Rockets and described how a bond and respect level with coach Ime Udoka led him to engineer a trade to bring him to the team.

Durant is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $55 million and is eligible to sign a new deal. There was some belief that Durant would work out an extension with the Rockets as a part of Houston's deal in July to acquire him from the Suns.

While there have been discussions, Durant is starting training camp with no deal in place.

«I do see myself signing a contract extension,» Durant said Monday, his 37th birthday. «I can't tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening.»

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone declined to comment on the state of the contract talks.

Durant is eligible to sign a two-year extension for more than $120 million if he were to sign for the maximum. The Rockets, who are in the midst of contract extension talks with wing Tari Eason and recently extended forward Jabari Smith Jr. on a five-year deal for $122 million, are faced with managing their expanding payroll over the next few years. That could factor into the Durant talks.

Because of his short-term contract status, Durant was able to work with the Suns on finding a trade partner over the summer. He worked with Udoka when both were with the Nets, and the relationship played a role.

«I wasn't expecting to leave Phoenix that quickly, but that's just the nature of the game,» Durant said. «So I quickly just thought about who I was comfortable with.… Ime has always been one of those guys that understood what I brought to the table and my mentality and my approach to the game. He always respected that and gave me