Moves in the Suns: Kevin Durant and His Future at the Center of Negotiations
The Phoenix Suns and Rich Kleiman, business partner of Kevin Durant and CEO of Boardroom, have held multiple meetings during the last week, analyzing potential trade scenarios. Sources close to the team indicate that both parties will collaborate to determine the potential destinations of the star player.
Several teams have shown interest in Durant, including the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks. In addition, in recent days, other teams have inquired about the player’s situation.
The expectation of a possible Durant trade has grown in the NBA since the Suns initiated conversations at the February trade deadline, although the All-Star ultimately remained in Phoenix.
The Suns and Kleiman representatives will continue their conversations about the trade, with the expectation that negotiations will intensify before the NBA draft later this month.
Durant has a contract for $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season, which gives him some influence over his future in collaboration with the Suns. His desire for a long-term extension could be a crucial factor in the negotiations.
Once his transfer is finalized, Durant can sign a two-year contract extension starting July 6, worth up to $122 million. If he waited six months after the transfer, he could sign an extension for two years valued at up to $124 million.
The NBA’s free agency market will be renewed in the summer of 2026, with an increase in the number of teams with salary cap space. This offseason, only the Brooklyn Nets had this advantage.
Within the February trade deadline, Durant was close to being traded to the Golden State Warriors, but he expressed his interest in not returning and preferred to finish the season with the Suns. At that time, sources indicated that Durant was surprised to be included in the trade talks.
Durant, who will turn 37 in September, was selected for his 15th All-Star this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games. According to data, the future Hall of Famer has averaged at least 25 points, 50% shooting efficiency and 40% from three-pointers for three consecutive seasons, the longest streak in the NBA. His shooting efficiency remains high: he led the NBA in jump shots (49.7%) and mid-range shots (53.1%). He also had the best percentage of jump shots off the dribble (50.9%).
The Suns had a season with a 36-46 record, finishing in 11th place in the Western Conference, with the highest payroll in league history. This led to organizational changes, including the appointment of Brian Gregory as the new general manager and the hiring of Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the new coach.
Durant arrived in Phoenix in a trade in February 2023, and his 26.8 points per game as a member of the Suns are the most in franchise history.
