PHOENIX – ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst went on NBA Today to discuss Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant’s future. The franchise’s next move has been telegrammed for month’s ever since last year’s NBA trade deadline, it wants to trade Durant. Windhorst appeared on the show and gave more context on what Phoenix will do with the 15-time All-Star this Summer.
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Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Windhorst on Durant’s future with Suns:
“Kevin Durant, I’m like 98% sure he’s not gonna be a Sun next year. How it works out, though, I’m about 1% sure,” Windhorst said. “There’s going to be a number of teams interested, but some of it is going to depend on whether they see Durant as a player they keep on a one-year contract or if they want to get him and give him a contract extension, which I suspect he’s going to want.”
Jan 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Kevin Durant (35) stands on the floor during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
The former MVP averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 rebounds in his 17th season. The 36-year-old can still produce at an All-NBA level even after all the injuries that have plague the second half of his career. Many contenders will be interested in bringing in Durant to elevate their talent chances for next season.
However, as Windhorst pointed out, Durant is on the final year of his year, being due $54.7 million for the 2025-2026 season. At his age, Durant will likely want a long-term extension to ensure his future earnings. Teams will be hesitate to offer him that type of contract because of the recent injuries that have plague Durant.
Jan 16, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Durant has only played in over 60 games twice in the past five seasons. Luckily for the Suns, both of those seasons were his last two. Regardless, Durant’s injuries plagued the team last season, as after an 8-1 start, his calf injury began the freefall down the standings for Phoenix.
General manager Brian Gregory inherited a roster with many problems, with the only life raft being a Durant trade. Gregory has to get the franchise under the 2nd apron and retool the roster around superstar Devin Booker to keep him happy. Either task will be a challenge, but both require Durant to not be in the Valley next season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
