According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Phoenix Suns are not likely to extend their top star before the start of the 2024-25 season. Per Marks, Suns star Kevin Durant is expected to hold off until the 2025 offseason to sign an extension. Durant is currently eligible to sign a one-year, $59.5 million contract extension. However, Marks says that Durant can make an extra $64.3 million if he opts to wait until next year to sign a new deal.
“Kevin 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.”
Durant has two years remaining on his four-year, $194 million contract.
Phoenix Suns Star Unlikely to Sign Extension Until 2025
Kevin Durant’s Stint in Phoenix So Far
The 2024-25 season is Durant’s second full season with the Suns. Phoenix acquired Durant in a blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023 for Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. Since then, Durant has played fantastic for the Suns. During his time in Phoenix, the Texas alum is averaging 27 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. Last season, his first full campaign with the Suns, Durant had another MVP-caliber. He finished ninth in MVP voting (his highest finish since the 2018-19 season), earned All-NBA Second Team honors, and made the All-Star team for the 14th time in his career.
Though he has had individual success, Durant has not led the Suns to a lot of team success. In 2023, Durant’s Suns lost in the second round of the playoffs before getting eliminated by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. Additionally, last season, the Suns finished with a 49-33 record. While was good enough to earn them a playoff spot, it was underwhelming given their high expectations. Ultimately, Phoenix got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
The Last Word On Kevin Durant and the Suns
Heading into the 2024-25 season, expectations remain high in Phoenix. In addition to Durant, the Suns still have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the mix. Furthermore, the team signed point guard Tyus Jones this offseason. One of the biggest problems with the Suns’ roster last season was their lack of a true point guard. By adding Jones, it should add an extra element to the Suns, especially on offense. Furthermore, the team hired Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach.
As long as Durant is on the team, the Suns are legitimate title contenders. However, the competition is tough in the Western Conference. Currently, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant’s former team, are the favorites to represent the West in next year’s NBA Finals. Additionally, teams like the Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks pose legitimate threats to the Suns. Whether Phoenix can surpass these teams this season remains unclear. However, despite their rough season last year, the Suns are still a great team.
The Suns begin their season against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 23.
