My tweet above links to the source. The quote is from Tim MacMahon in Friday’s episode of ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast, according to @The Cat in his latest RocketsWire article https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/st...them&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter
None of what MacMahon said doesn't really mean anything. Them not offering KD max money doesn't mean they don't want to pay up. At KD's age, years is also a factor in addition to per-year salary. A 2yr max deal can easily be changed to a 3yr less-than-max deal where the last year's partially guaranteed to make up the difference, for instance. It makes sense that there isn't an extension just yet if they are also trying to get Tari an extension at the same time. Tari's extension, or lack thereof, would affect how KD's contract would be structured to minimize Fertitta's tax bills. If the Rockets are truly playing hardball with KD, first of all the trade wouldn't have even happened in the first place. And even it did you'd see a lot more reports of dissatisfaction from KD's camp.
I am speaking of how these deals are done practically, not the way they're done by letter of the rule. But even if we do assume there isn't some handshake deal, KD can simply ask for a Player Option year 2 of the extension, and then renegotiate a lower salary to help reduce the tax bill, but get some amount of money in year 3 to make up for his own salary.
Practically, the Rockets just want to pay Durant for 2 more years of an extension at a salary that along with Tari's and minimums doesn't exceed the 2nd apron. It is unlikely the Rockets agree to a deal above or below board that has Durant getting money after 3 seasons (current plus two years extension) without seeing Durant play 2 seasons as a Rocket. Maybe he gets a player option in year 2, but just don’t see need to try to get tricky and add defered salary as Amen is entering his prime. I think going over 2nd apron for one season would be preferable to trying to get Durant money after the current season and 2 year extension unless it is purely based on him still being good at that time.
The fact that Russell Westbrook is very welcome in OKC in the stands and not in a Thunder shirt than Kevin Durant.... makes this a very bizarre moment, couple that with the ring ceremony......cannot fathom a truly unprecedented situation.
