ESPN analyst '98% sure' on Suns Kevin Durant’s future

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.”

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.

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.