In February 2023, the Phoenix Suns made a bold move by trading most of their assets to acquire Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. Aiming for their first Championship, the franchise sees long-term commitment to Durant as crucial. His current contract runs until 2026, which has led reporters to inquire about his extension during preseason practices. Durant responded, “I’m not really thinking about that right now. My focus is on playing out my contract, concentrating on the team. I haven’t had any discussions about a new deal.
I just want to concentrate on basketball.” He added, “I’ve had the opportunity to be in this position for 18 years, so I’m not too concerned about the financial aspect. My goal is to keep improving and see how good I can become. When it’s time to decide, I’ll make that choice. For now, I have two seasons left on my contract, and that’s where my focus lies.” Durant is contracted through the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, meaning his contract decision is two years away. In the fast-paced NBA, Durant has time to decide on his future with the Suns, but he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make a commitment. This season, Durant is earning $51.1 million, with a salary of $54.7 million projected for next season when he turns 37. He is eligible for either a one-year, $59.5 million extension or a two-year, $123.8 million extension. If he opts for the two-year deal, Durant would be under contract for his 21st NBA season, marking another impressive milestone in his career.
The Suns are counting on Durant to take on a key leadership role in their pursuit of a championship this season, so it’s vital for the team to keep him focused on basketball and winning. They also want to secure Durant’s future with the franchise to fend off interest from other teams, like the Houston Rockets, who are reportedly eyeing him. Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein emphasized the strong relationship between Durant and the team, noting that discussions about a contract extension are underway. “The most important thing is that Kevin enjoys being here, and we value having him on the team…
He’s currently focusing on the Olympics, but we maintain open communication. The relationship is what’s most important and is in a great place. I’m in regular contact with Kevin’s agent, Rich Kleiman, and our conversations cover not just contract talks but everything happening around the team.” Last season, Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, indicating that he hasn’t shown any significant signs of decline. He remains a championship-caliber player and is optimistic about the Suns’ potential this season after their disappointing first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. With new additions like Ryan Dunn, Tyus Jones, and Monte Morris joining the roster this summer, the Suns appear poised to be a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
Leave a Reply