Suns superstar Kevin Durant is eligible for a new contract extension this season and the latest intel suggests that he already has a plan in place for the immediate future. During a recent appearance on NBA Today this week, league insider Shams Charania revealed why Durant would rather wait to sign a two-year deal.
“Let’s start first with the future Hall of Famer, Kevin Durant,” said Shams. “He is extension eligible but I am told there will not be an extension for Kevin Durant. He has two years left on his deal but he’s only eligible for a one-year, $60 million extension this offseason before Monday’s deadline. Next summer, he’s gonna be eligible for upwards of $120 million. And so that’s really where Durant and the Suns’ focus has been. They’ve both been focused on getting a deal done in the two-year range, not the one-year extension.”
Kevin Durant initially signed a 4-year, $194 million contract with the Nets in 2021 but he’s on the Suns’ payroll now after he forced his way West in 2023. As a longtime veteran and NBA journeyman, nobody knows how long Durant will stay in Phoenix but it appears that both sides are prepared to extend their partnership for years to come.
Durant, a 14x All-Star, was drafted back in 2007 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the Thunder, he rose to prominence in the league and even won the MVP for leading his young team to an impressive standing in the West.
As a 6’11” sharpshooter with handles and a relentless passion for the game, it’s no wonder why Kevin is so effective with the basketball. His long arms are good for shooting over defenders and his slender frame allows him to navigate tight spaces under the rim.
After 10+ years in the NBA, the expectation was that Durant would eventually slow down and fade into obscurity on the Phoenix Suns. But since his arrival, Durant has been the savior of the team and he’s put them in a position to make a run for the title in 2025.
Last season, with averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, Durant played at an MVP level for the Suns and his performance was the only thing keeping them in play for the title.
Despite the lack of playoff success, the vibes have been pretty good in Phoenix and they still have one of the best rosters in the league on paper. If they can stay healthy for any prolonged stretch of time, it’ll give us a chance to see just how good they really are.
Regardless of how things play out this season, Durant is content to stay where he is and the Suns are happy to keep him around as long as he’s playing at a high level. At 36 years old, Kevin Durant has yet to slow down and it’ll be another three seasons at least that he’s among the league’s highes-paid players.
All that’s left for the Suns is to maximize Durant’s talents by adding the necessary help and implementing a system that enhances every player’s strengths. With another extension looming, the Suns have more time now to improve the team and address some of their most glaring flaws.
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