Kevin Durant (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant is leading Team USA as one of their top scorers at Paris 2024 and stomping all over the Olympic stage again. When training camp starts in September, Durant will rejoin the Phoenix Suns, and team CEO Josh Bartelstein will discuss their connection with the 36-year-old player. Bartlestein also provided a brief update on the contract extension.

Currently, Durant can choose to extend his contract. However, that opportunity will close on October 21. As his present contract expires in 2026, there’s no pressing need to negotiate a new agreement at this time. Durant is unlikely to accept a contract because of the over-38 restriction. This restriction will only allow him to receive a one-year extension.

Josh Bartelstein said, “The most important thing is Kevin loves being here and we love having Kevin here… He’s focused on the Olympics, but we’re always having dialogue. The relationship is what matters the most. The relationship is in a great spot. I talk to (Durant’s agent) Rich Kleiman, who works with Kevin, all the time. Conversations are great not just on extension stuff, but on all things that have been going on.”

Suns struggled a lot with their placement as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. However, Kevin Durant showed consistency with an average of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the previous campaign. They were easily eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round, proving that a squad containing Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant could not be a contender.

It would be fascinating to see if Durant feels tremendous pressure to commit to an extension to try and win a title for the Suns after a summer in which he was strongly connected to a trade to the Houston Rockets.

Phoenix Suns Are Crafting A Team Around Kevin Durant This Offseason

The squad made numerous excellent offseason acquisitions, the most notable of which being the minimum-contract signing of Tyus Jones, who helped ease the team’s point guard woes.
He has shown to be a sharp decision-maker on the court and was an excellent backup guard for the Grizzlies.

Arguably, their championship push began with the hire of Mike Budenholzer, who replaced Frank Vogel as head coach of another superteam. To satisfy the team’s stars, Booker and Kevin Durant, Coach Bud will be required to infuse new life into the team and establish a winning culture.

It will be intriguing to see what role Bradley Beal plays for the team this season. Although unlikely, he may have a more significant influence as a sixth man behind a Jones-Booker backcourt. The Suns, along with Kevin Durant, are in a position to contend for a championship. But to win one, the stars must shine.