Kevin Durant Surpasses LeBron James With New Contract Extension

When Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James went to bed on Saturday night, he did so as the highest career earner in the history of the NBA. On Sunday morning, however, that torched was passed to Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant.

Durant’s new, $90 million extension with Houston officially makes KD the highest career earner in league history, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Kevin Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract. https://t.co/C3l6Zve60R

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2025

Durant actually took $30 million less than what he was eligible for in an extension, allowing the Rockets some flexibility as they continue building a contender.

Besides being the two most massive earners in NBA history, Durant and LeBron also share the distinction of longevity. James will turn 41 years old in December. Durant, 37, has a player option attached to his new extension that could have him playing for the Rockets until his age-39 season.

LeBron won’t be in the Lakers’ lineup to start the regular season as he continues to recover from a sciatica injury.

Durant is fully expected to be in Ime Udoka’s starting lineup for the Rockets when the season kicks off on Tuesday.

The Rockets will be playing in the first game of the NBA calendar against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers will feature as the second game of the Opening Night double-header in a matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.