The Phoenix Suns and superstar Kevin Durant have just four more days to decide if they want to agree on a one-year, $59.5 million extension for the 2026-27 season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 36-year-old Durant, who has been eligible for the extension since July 12 and is now on the third season of a four-year, $194 million deal, addressed the contract situation at Suns shootaround today before the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m not even thinking about it,” Durant said (h/t The Arizona Republic‘s Duane Rankin). “I’m just going to play out my contract, really, and just focus on that, focus on the team. I haven’t really even had conversations with anybody about a contract, so just trying to focus on basketball.”
Due to the “over-38 rule,” the Suns can only offer Durant this one-year extension this offseason. The over-38 rule means teams can’t offer four-year or longer contracts to players 38 years or older during the contract. With that said, Durant could get more money if he waits until next offseason to sign an extension.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported today that: “Durant has been eligible to sign a one-year, $59.5 million extension since early July. The strong likelihood is Durant waiting until the 2025 offseason, when he would be eligible to sign a two-year, $123.8 million extension in Phoenix, sources told ESPN. By waiting, Durant would earn an extra $64.3 million.”
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones said at media day last month that Durant loves Phoenix and they love having him here, but wouldn’t publicly discuss his contract.
Durant explained why he’s not stressing about the extension.
“Just play the game,” Durant said. “I’ve been blessed enough to be in this position for 18 years, so I’m not really focused on the money part of it. Just trying to keep getting better, keep growing my game, see how good I can get. That’s always been my main focus.
“When the time will come, the time will come. But right now, I got two seasons left on my deal, so I’m going to focus on those two.”
Kevin Durant says he's focused on the season when asked about the extension options he has. #Suns pic.twitter.com/3l63BML4Zp
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 17, 2024
Durant averaged 27.1 points in his first full season with the Suns last year and made the All-NBA Second Team. Phoenix opens the regular season on Oct. 23 on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
