According to ESPN, and various other reporting companies, the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant are currently discussing his next contract extension that will probably be his last one in the NBA.

With plans of retiring in a couple of years, and wanting to leave the game by winning a championship, Houston is ready to give Durant what he wants in hopes of accomplishing the same goal.

Currently, per the reporting of Shams Charania, both sides are working towards a two-year, $112 million extension. Durant reportedly is fine not having the max, if it means they can become legit title contenders before he decides to retire.

“The goal right now for Kevin Durant and the Rockets is for him to retire in Houston,” NBA insider Shams Charania said Thursday on ESPN’s First Take. “They’re going to eventually this offseason discuss a contract extension and figure out where that lands.”

From what Shams has been saying since the trade is that Durant was very excited to join this team due to all the potential they had with their young core. Ultimately, Houston was missing that commanding, dominating veteran in their locker room to lead them in big-time moments and situations.

“Kevin Durant, from what I understand, he was excited to go to Houston to specifically play with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed Sheppard,” Charania explained. “They’ve got so many young players—Tari Eason as well—and Ime Udoka is a coach that he’s very familiar with from Team USA as well as with the Nets. There’s a lot of mutual respect there, a deep level of respect. So there’s excitement there.”

Durant is set to make $54.7 million this season, as he is on an expiring contract. The 36-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers are wanting to upgrade their center position with some veteran talent and leadership. This has drawn their attention to players like Brook Lopez.

In addition to targeting Lopez, other players such as Clint Capela and Al Horford have caught their attention. Rob Pelinka has made it his mission to give added security to the front court and make both Luka Doncic and LeBron James happy.

All three players are unrestricted free agents this offseason, so Los Angeles will not have to sacrifice pieces to acquire one of them through a trade.

Capela’s future with the Atlanta Hawks seems over due to them trading for Kristaps Porzingis and selecting Asa Newell in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Horford may look to move on with the team going in a different direction financially and wanting to get younger. The Boston Celtics continue to navigate through their salary cap and luxury tax messes.

Same can be applied to the Milwaukee Bucks, as they want to get younger and free up themselves up financially.

“There’s names like Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Al Horford out there in free agency,” said Shams Charania on Get Up. “Will it be that route or the trade route? That’s what everyone in L.A. and everyone around the league is waiting on.”

Los Angeles’ current center room consists of Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes, and Alex Len.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie Irving have come together to agree on a new extension to keep the veteran guard in Dallas for the foreseeable future.

To make this deal work, Irving needed to decline his $43 million player option for next season. This new contract does not include an option.

The 33-year-old signed a three-year, $119 million extension. Many assume this will be one of the last contracts Irving will sign before he retires.

Before suffering his ACL tear, Charania reported that Irving was expected to make around $50-$60 million per season. Unfortunately, the injury has forced Irving into accepting less per year. He’s estimated to make $39.6 million per season.

By opting out and lowering his salary for the following season, this will allow the Mavericks to use their $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception.