The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant’s enterprise associate, Boardroom CEO Wealthy Kleiman, have met a number of instances over the previous week and are sifting by way of commerce eventualities, sources advised ESPN on Wednesday.
The 2 sides are anticipated to work collectively on potential locations.
Groups which have expressed curiosity in Durant, sources stated, primarily function the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Warmth, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks. A number of wild-card suitors have made inquiries on Durant up to now seven to 10 days, sources stated.
Groups across the NBA have been anticipating that Durant could be traded ever because the Suns engaged in talks across the February commerce deadline, which handed with the All-Star nonetheless in Phoenix.
Suns officers and Kleiman will proceed to fulfill on commerce conversations — with talks anticipated to escalate earlier than the NBA draft later this month.
Durant is on a contract value $54.7 million for the 2025-26 season, giving him some leverage in navigating his future in partnership with the Suns. As commerce talks progress, his need for a long-term extension might show a essential issue.
As soon as he’s traded, Durant shall be eligible to signal a two-year contract extension on July 6 value as a lot as $112 million. If he had been to attend six months after the commerce, he might signal a two-year extension value as much as $124 million.
The NBA free company market resets in the summertime of 2026, with groups which have cap house rising from only one this offseason, the Brooklyn Nets, to half of the league.
Durant was almost traded to the Golden State Warriors on the February commerce deadline earlier than he made it clear that he was not thinking about a reunion and most well-liked to complete the season with the Suns. On the time, sources advised ESPN that Durant was blindsided by the Suns together with him in any commerce conversations. This time round, the perimeters are anticipated to work collectively on his subsequent residence.
Durant, who turns 37 in September, made his fifteenth All-Star staff this season and averaged 26.6 factors, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 video games. The longer term Corridor of Famer has averaged no less than 25 factors, 50% taking pictures and 40% on 3-pointers in three straight seasons, the longest streak ever within the NBA, based on ESPN Analysis. As a shooter, Durant stays prolific: He shot an NBA-best on jumpers (49.7%) and midrange photographs (53.1%). He additionally had one of the best taking pictures proportion on off-the-dribble jumpers (50.9%), based on GeniusIQ.
The Suns went 36-46 this season and completed in eleventh place within the Western Convention with the very best payroll in league historical past, resulting in organizational adjustments that culminated in naming govt Brian Gregory as the brand new common supervisor and hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott as their new coach.
Durant arrived in Phoenix in a February 2023 deadline commerce, and his 26.8 factors per sport as a member of the franchise is probably the most in Suns historical past.
