Report: Kevin Durant ‘open’ to remaining with Suns

According to NBA reporter Logan Murdock of The Ringer, Kevin Durant is “open” to remaining with the Phoenix Suns. 

Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

“The book isn’t closed on Durant returning to the Suns next season,” Murdock wrote. “League sources suggest that Durant, who will be eligible for a two-year, $122 million extension this offseason, would be open to a return.”

Durant has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. He’s a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time MVP and a four-time scoring champion. 

A future Hall of Famer, Durant turns 37 in September. He’s averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line. 

The Suns could fire head coach Mike Budenholzer in the offseason to appease Durant and Devin Booker, an NBA source told Hoops Wire. Neither Durant nor Booker has a good relationship with Budenholzer, who is in his first season with Phoenix.

The Suns fired Frank Vogel after one season and hired Budenholzer, who ironically won the 2021 championship with the Milwaukee Bucks against Phoenix. 

Booker has spent his entire career with the Suns, while Durant was traded to Phoenix in February 2023.

Most people believe Durant will be traded this offseason, but sources told Hoops Wire that KD enjoys playing with Booker and living in Phoenix.

If Budenholzer is fired and the Suns hire a coach Durant and Booker sign off on, Durant may remain in the desert. 

The San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat will pursue a Durant trade this offseason, an NBA source told Hoops Wire.

Durant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

A 15-time All-Star, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists.