HOUSTON -- Kevin Durant said he envisions himself signing a contract extension with the Rockets and described how a bond and respect level with coach Ime Udoka led him to engineer a trade to bring him to Houston.

Durant is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $55 million and is eligible to sign a new deal. There was some belief that Durant would work out a contract extension with the Rockets as a part of Houston's deal with the Suns .

While there have been discussions, Durant is starting training camp with no deal in place.

"I do see myself signing a contract extension," Durant said Monday, which was his 37th birthday. "I can't tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening."

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone declined to comment on the state of

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