Kevin Durant‘s future in the NBA continues to spark widespread interest as the two-time champion assesses his options, and has landed on just three teams as destinations where he would be open to signing a contract extension.
Durant‘s current deal with the Phoenix Suns runs through the 2025-26 season and will pay him $54.7 million in its final year.
However, according to ESPN, the Suns are actively exploring trade opportunities and are prioritizing the best return package.
That’s regardless of whether it aligns with Durant‘s preferences, with between six and eight teams are seriously pursuing a deal for the 36-year-old, who averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists in the 2024/25 NBA season.
His eligible to sign a two-year extension valued at up to $122 million starting July 6, and should he choose to wait six months post-trade, that figure could increase slightly to $124 million.
So, who could he wait for? His long-term commitment is reportedly reserved for only three franchises. The Miami Heat, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs, the latter led by the talented Victor Wembanyama.
Despite recent talks linking the Minnesota Timberwolves to Durant, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported that there’s currently no momentum behind that possibility.
“I know there has been a ton of chatter about the Wolves and KD. I believe, like in February, there is interest,” said Krawczynski. “There have been some discussions about deals.
“But as far as I know, nothing is close. Things can always change quickly, but that’s where I’m at right now.”
Why does Durant want to leave the Suns?
Durant remains one of the league’s most efficient offensive weapons and according to ESPN, he became the first player in NBA history to maintain averages of at least 25 points, 50% from the field, and 40% from beyond the arc over three consecutive seasons.
Despite being in the waning years of his career in the sport, is shooting proficiency remains unmatched-leading the league in jump-shot efficiency (49.7%), midrange shooting (53.1%), and off-the-dribble jumper accuracy (50.9%), according to GeniusIQ.
So, he clearly has something to give and is keen to take his talents to a team that can give him a shot at a third NBA championship before he retires, after the Suns struggled in 2024-25, finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record.
That collapse prompted organizational changes, including the hiring of Brian Gregory as general manager and Jordan Ott as head coach, but with July 6 approaching and Durant’s extension eligibility looming, the urgency around a trade is expected to intensify.
So will it be the Heat, Spurs or Rockets, or somewhere else such as the Timberwolves? Only time will tell as to where the two-time NBA Finals MVP lands, with the potential to reshape multiple franchises for years to come.
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