Phoenix Suns followers could not should donate their Kevin Durant jerseys simply but.
A stunning new report emerged Tuesday on the Suns star Durant’s future from Logan Murdock of The Ringer. Murdock studies that “the e-book isn’t closed” on Durant doubtlessly returning to Phoenix subsequent season. Moreover, Murdock writes that Durant, who’s eligible for a two-year, $122 million extension this summer time, can also be “open” to a return to the Suns.
The 36-year-old Durant is beneath contract for yet another assured season with the Suns, however all indicators have seemingly been pointing to a break up between the 2 sides this offseason. Phoenix is a disappointing 35-40 this season (one recreation again of the ultimate play-in spot within the Western Convention), and but they’re neck-deep within the second apron with a roster that’s costing them over $400 million this season (in each wage and tax payments).
There are additionally restricted pathways from right here for the Suns to get out of the second apron, which is able to get more and more punitive the longer that they spend in it. Bradley Beal is armed with a full no-trade clause, and buying and selling away Devin Booker, Phoenix’s longest-tenured participant who sounds very a lot dedicated to spending his whole NBA profession with the franchise, would threat a revolt from their followers. Thus, a commerce of Durant is probably going the Suns’ final and finest resort to protect some semblance of longer-term flexibility.
Opposing groups are clearly nonetheless loads focused on Durant too, particularly since he’s averaging 26.6 factors per recreation on 53/43/84 capturing splits this season (proper in step with his profession averages regardless of his age). Some actually intriguing suitors have already been mentioned in connection with Durant, so the Suns ought to simply be capable of command a return package deal that is sufficient to incentivize pulling the set off there.
However on the flip facet of issues, there are additionally indicators that Phoenix just isn’t fairly able to half methods with Durant simply but. Just a few weeks in the past, a report recommended that the Suns could make a major change to try to appease the ex-MVP Durant, and now Murdock’s report is offering extra hope for the potential of a continued partnership.
