Latest news with #TimMacMahon
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets Unwilling To Offer Kevin Durant A Max Extension; Could Change Their Mind Next Season
Rockets Unwilling To Offer Kevin Durant A Max Extension; Could Change Their Mind Next Season originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Rockets acquired Kevin Durant earlier this season via a trade that sent Jalen Green to the Suns. Following the trade, several sources speculated that Kevin Durant will look to extend his contract and plans to retire in Houston. However, some sources believe there may be a few hiccups in Durant's contract extension talks. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Rockets are not likely to offer Durant a max extension this summer and haven't gone all in on him at the moment. He appeared on the latest episode of the Hoops Collective podcast and gave his opinion on the Rockets' future. 'The Rockets to me.. they've created a fascinating situation. But I agree, I think they're as well-positioned to have a long run as any franchise other than Oklahoma City. Despite the fact that they just went all in, they didn't go all in, they just made a trade to get Kevin Durant, who is going into year 18.' 'They did not go all in on the trade. They made a trade at a price that they were okay with, that did not sacrifice the long term. You know, Jalen Green was a second-round pick who didn't really pan out. Um, you know, we talked when they made the trade, if you're ranking the young players on the roster by future value, by long-term value, he might have been fifth or sixth on that list.' 'And then, you know, that they didn't really have like an immediate spot for the 10th overall pick in this year's draft. Hell, they couldn't squeeze the third overall pick in last year's draft into the rotation.' 'The Rockets aren't going to go all in. By all appearances and by what I've heard, they're not going all in on an extension for Kevin Durant. Now, doesn't mean it won't happen, but you know, there've been rumblings of, hey, KD doesn't, you know, he's not going to push for the full max.' 'Ummm, I don't know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that's close to the max. I think the Rockets are like it's not ideal, but I don't think they would panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he's on, just on the expiring deal.' MacMahon has some solid sources in the front office of the Rockets; therefore, the information he has given on Durant is almost as good as confirmed. It will be interesting to see what Durant feels about this. He could pull a Kawhi Leonard-type move like he did with the Raptors, where Leonard joined them for one season (2019) on an expiring contract, won them the championship with their young core, and left the next season for the Clippers. Depending on what Durant and his representatives feel about this, Durant could take a call on his future. If he fails to win a championship, he may not see an offer from the Rockets that he would like. And if he does, he could still leave like Leonard did. Or he could even earn that max contract and retire in Houston eventually. The Rockets also have a young core that is getting set for their extensions, like Tari Eason in 2025-26 and Amen Thompson the following year. Therefore, the Rockets need to decide between investing in an aging Kevin Durant for the long term or saving the salary cap space to pay the young stars what they deserve. The Rockets are certainly an exciting team to watch in the 2025-26 season. This season could determine where the franchise is headed in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Source: Kevin Durant Could Sacrifice $20 Million In Potential Earnings To Extend Rockets Future
Source: Kevin Durant Could Sacrifice $20 Million In Potential Earnings To Extend Rockets Future originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Following Kevin Durant's move to the Rockets, several analysts speculated that the 36-year-old superstar plans to retire in Houston. Subsequently, NBA Insider Tim MacMahon claimed that the Rockets may not come to terms with Durant on an extension this summer as they do not plan to offer him a max extension just yet. He said they will be comfortable seeing Kevin Durant play on the expiring contract he is on. However, now, according to sources, Durant's willingness to take a haircut on the deal has been revealed. According to Kurt Huelin, a source told NBC Sports that Durant might be willing to accept a considerably lower offer than a max extension. "Durant is in the final year of his current contract at $54.7 million. The Rockets can offer him a max two-year, $122.1 million extension (no team can offer Durant more than two years because of the over-38 rule)." "The contract has to be short in this case, but what is a fair number for the future Hall of Famer? One source who spoke to NBC Sports during Summer League suggested KD might dip to about the $100 million mark for two years, around $10 million a season below the max, but still $50 million a season." The Rockets have two solid young pieces, Tari Eason (this season) and Amen Thompson (next season), who are in line for a contract extension. Since these two players have been a part of the young core that the Rockets built for their long-term future, they should prioritize the salary cap space for them instead of Durant. If they give Durant his extension this offseason, then Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are both at risk of losing out on money due to the salary cap restrictions of the league. Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the last season and led the league in isolation efficiency. Even at age 36, he is dominating like he's in the prime of his career. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Rockets seem to be planning a major move in the 2027-28 season, as both Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. saw a dip in their contract extensions for that season. If the Rockets now extend Durant for two more seasons, that 2027-28 plan could potentially be at risk. Just like the Lakers, the Rockets seem to be preparing themselves for the 2027 offseason. Therefore, it would be wise to wait for the extension instead of hurrying to force a deal that could put their future at risk. The Rockets have until the beginning of the 2025-26 season to decide whether to extend Durant or save the decision for the end of the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tim MacMahon says Rockets aren't going 'all in' on Kevin Durant extension
For all the obvious reasons, the Houston Rockets seem to be 'all in' on the 2025-2026 season. You don't trade away a 23-year-old who was the 2nd pick in the draft and your leading scorer, for a 36-year-old of any caliber, much less one of the greatest scorers of all-time, unless you're all in. One of the biggest question marks when the Rockets acquired Durant has been, what kind of extension is he going to want, how much, and how soon? According to ESPN'S Tim MacMahon in the latest episode of the Hoop Collective Podcast, the Rockets are not rushing to offer Durant a max extension. 'The Rockets aren't gonna go all-in, by all appearances and by what I've heard, they're not going all-in on an extension for Kevin Durant… Now, doesn't mean it won't happen, but there've been rumblings KD's not gonna push for the full max. I don't know that the Rockets are going to put anything on the table that's close to the max. I think the Rockets are like… it's not ideal, but I don't think they'd panic if they go into the season with Kevin Durant just on the contract that he's on, just on the expiring deal.' MacMahon, along with his co-hosts Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, all praised Rockets GM Rafael Stone for his handling of the roster and contracts thus-far in his tenure, noting that most of the contracts he has negotiated have been short, and the few long-term deals he has inked (Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.) have been widely viewed as good value contracts. 'Raphael Stone has done an outstanding job… of understanding the new economic environment the league is in… Teams have to be much better about negotiating every dollar on deals. You look at what the Rockets have done they have done great job.' – Tim Bontemps When you factor in the way the Rockets have done business, it shouldn't be surprising that the rumors are they appear to be taking a smart approach to whether or not to give Durant a max extension. My opinion all along has been that the Rockets should not give Durant the max. Whether or not this deal can be viewed as a win for the Rockets largely depends on how small the impact of the deal will have on the franchise's future. If Kevin Durant knew this coming into H-town and still gave the stamp of approval, then that bodes even better for the Rockets. As the hosts of the Hoop Collective point out in this episode, all the Rockets deals so far have been constructed to maximize space in 2027. Fred VanVleet's deal is up in 2027, Dorian Finny-Smith will be on the non-guaranteed portion if his deal in 2027, Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams' deals both dip in salary in 2027. What the Rockets have plans for in 2027 would be pure speculation, but I have a hard time believing it's so they can give a then 38-year-old Kevin Durant max money. The more sensible speculation would be that in 2027, they want to be able to give Amen Thompson the max deal he is projecting to have earned by that point in his career. Either way, a max extension of Durant just doesn't seem to fit the way the Rockets have been operating, and for that reason I think Rockets fans should be taking MacMahon's sentiments seriously.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah Jazz's Concrete Lauri Markkanen Trade Plans Emerge
The NBA has seen several blockbuster trades executed this offseason, but the Utah Jazz haven't been involved in either sending out or adding star talent. That's despite some strong interest in trading for Lauri Markkanen. While teams may be interested in the one-time All-Star power forward, the Jazz don't appear any closer to trading their Finnish marksman. According to ESPN's NBA expert Tim MacMahon, the Jazz have no plans to trade the 28-year-old this offseason. 'A lot of scouts and executives to wonder whether the Jazz would trade 28-year-old Markkanen next, as new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge takes over as the primary decision-maker in the franchise's is not Utah's intention, sources told ESPN. It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core.' ESPN on Lauri Markkanen trade The Jazz have already traded the likes of Collin Sexton and John Collins, which fueled speculation that Markkanen could be next. Yet that doesn't seem to be in Utah's cards, at least not this offseason. Markkanen is entering the first season of a four-year, $195 million contract with the Jazz, where he'll earn a salary of $46.3 million during the 2025-26 season. Yet, instead of the Jazz trying to trade him for the best package available, Utah would prefer to see how competitive they can be at the start of the season first. Who knows? Perhaps a Markkanen trade is revisited ahead of the trade deadline, but for now, he appears to be off-limits. Related: Related Headlines Los Angeles Clippers Signing 3x All-Star Scorer Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Starter Claims Team Traded Him Out of Fear Tigers Slugger Riley Green Turned Down Multiple Home Run Derby Invites? San Diego Padres game today: Includes full 2025 Padres schedule
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant makes Rockets title contenders per NBA Insider
The post Kevin Durant makes Rockets title contenders per NBA Insider appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Houston Rockets are feeling optimistic after acquiring Kevin Durant in a seven-team trade. On social media, the Rockets posted a hype video of Durant, setting the tone for what they expect to be a memorable season. Advertisement But NBA insider Tim MacMahon is taking that optimism a step further. On Tuesday, he told ESPN that the Rockets have a good chance of contending for an NBA title. 'The Rockets are realistic championship contenders with this trade of Kevin Durant and that's the whole reason the deal happened.' Last year, the Rockets finished with a 52-30 record. Ultimately, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors in seven games. Durant is coming off tumultuous time with the Phoenix Suns. A period that was defined by some individual success, but playoff struggles and rumblings about team turmoil. Advertisement Now with Durant thrown into the mix, can glory return to Clutch City? Are the Rockets destined to win it all with KD? The Rockets haven't one an NBA championship since 1995 with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler leading the way. Since then, they found themselves in the playoffs but didn't get back to the promised land. When it comes to Durant, he is at that advanced stage of his career. He is 36 years old, but is still one of the best players in the game. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Along the way, Durant made his 15th NBA All-Star game. Also, Durant didn't arrive to Houston by himself. As part of the trade, the Rockets also got Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks. Capela was drafted by the Rockets in 2014. Advertisement They got him back in exchange for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who went to the Suns. The Rockets still have a core four of Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson. Durant brings a sense of dynamism to that mix, not to mention leadership and experience. All in all, it could very well be a game changing season for the Rockets. Related: Kevin Durant's Achilles injury advice for Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard Related: Kevin Durant reflects on Steve Nash's Nets coaching stint with 'bulls**t' admission
