Increased 25%! I gave a big gift as soon as I joined. The Rockets president thanked Durant, and it was time for Federico to sober up.

The Rockets completed a shocking deal in the offseason this year and obtained superstar Durant from the Suns in a cost-effective way. In this deal, the Rockets sent Jaylen Green, Dillon and the Suns No. 10 draft picks. Objectively speaking, this deal is a "heavy profit" for the Rockets. Jaylen Green's contract has a certain premium risk, especially Thomas Jr., who is similar to Green's attributes, and Grimes, who is 76ers, have only won a 14.1 million middle-class special case. Gidey's new contract annual salary is 25 million, while Green is not as strong as them, with an annual salary starting from 33 million. What's more, Green and Dillon's performance on both offense and defense is significantly different from Durant.

Durant averaged 26 points per game last season, and his shooting percentage reached the "180 Club" level (50% shooting percentage, 40% three-point shooting percentage, and 90% free throw percentage), showing top offensive efficiency. In addition, he is equally excellent on the defensive end. With his unlimited flexibility in switching defense and the league's second-largest opponent's shooting percentage, Durant is almost synonymous with the one-on-one offense and defense. His joining brought a qualitative leap to the Rockets' offensive and defensive system. On the offensive end, Durant is known for his unsolvable key ball ability and efficient scoring methods. He doesn't need too much ball rights, but he can end the game by relying on a pull-out jumper or breakout at critical moments.

Durant's ability is particularly precious in the playoffs and can provide the Rockets with a stable scoring point. At the same time, the Rockets' young core members Shin Kyung and Amen Thompson also set the bottom line for the team in the playoffs. Their growth provided sufficient support for Durant, allowing him to reasonably allocate his physical strength in the regular season and accumulate strength for the playoffs. The Rockets' forward group is also enviable, and players such as Jabbarry Smith, Ethan, and Okogie provide the team with depth and vitality. In terms of the inside, the combination of substitute Adams and third-inside Capela made the Rockets' defensive system more stable. The Rockets' lineup configuration is now "armed to the teeth", with balanced offense and defense and full of potential. Durant's arrival not only raised the team's ceiling, but also gave the Rockets the capital to compete with top teams in the West. In addition, Durant's commercial value cannot be ignored. According to Rockets' business operations president Gretchen Hill, the Rockets' season ticket user base has surged by 25% since the Durant deal was reached. With the team not officially kicking off, Durant's influence has begun to transform into tangible gains. Rockets boss Fertita is overjoyed about it, after all, this means that real money and silver revenue are constantly coming.

Hill also said that 25% is just the beginning, and with the continued fermentation of the Durant effect in the future, the Rockets' business prospects will be broader. In addition, Durant's arrival also brought "special treatment" to the Rockets at the league level. In the new season, the Rockets' live broadcasts in the United States reached 28 games, ranking third in the league, a significant increase from last season. At the same time, the team's back-to-back schedule has been reduced by 3 games, and the schedule is more reasonable. Behind these changes, Durant's superstar aura undoubtedly played a key role. In the NBA business league, the influence of superstars is not only reflected on the court, but also seeks more exposure opportunities and potential tilts from referees for the team. It can be foreseen that as the new season advances, the Rockets may also gain certain advantages in the judgment scale.

No matter what, as the top star in the league, Durant and LeBron James are indeed called "Big and Big King", and their commercial value is far greater than that of ordinary young superstars. According to reports from The Athletic reporter William Guillory, the Rockets and Durant are accelerating negotiations for renewal. Previously, Guillory revealed that the two sides will reach an agreement in the next few weeks. Currently, Durant has one year left in its current contract, with a total amount of US$54.7 million. Due to the NBA's 38-year-old veteran rules, he can only renew a contract of $122 million for up to two years. If the contract renewal is reached, Durant will be deeply tied to the Rockets in the next three years, and may even end his career in Houston.

For Rockets boss Fertitta, staying Durant is a shrewd investment. Fertita is known for her business acumen. When Harden forced the palace to leave the team, he quickly issued a two-year, 100 million contract extension to keep Harden. Today, Durant's commercial value far exceeds the contract amount. Compared with an annual salary of 60 million, Durant's box office revenue, sponsorship cooperation and brand effect will bring several times the returns to the Rockets. If the Rockets care too much about their salary in the contract renewal negotiations and try to lower the price to 100 million yuan in two years, it may cause Durant's dissatisfaction, and the gain will not be worth the loss. The Rockets directly provide Durant with a maximum salary contract, which not only shows the team's sincerity, but also ensures long-term cooperation between the two sides. Moreover, the Rockets' contract renewal of Durant is also a reasonable lineup and will not affect the future. Smith, Amen and Shepard are still in the bonus period of rookie contracts, with 1-year, 2-year and 3-year low-cost contracts respectively. This allows the Rockets to have enough salary space in the next three years and enough to maintain the competitiveness of the lineup. Durant's maximum salary renewal will not put too much pressure on the team's salary structure, and will also provide valuable guidance for the growth of young players. In this superstar-led league, Durant can make Rockets fans shout out five ancient words: "Rockets Championship."