“We hope he finishes his career here in Phoenix.” Mat Ishbia’s plan to keep Kevin Durant in Phoenix for the long term

The team did not extend the 14-time All-Star this past offseason. Mat Ishbia explains why.

In both the short and long term, the Phoenix Suns’ situation tells a story.

In the short term, they’re struggling. After dropping four consecutive games, the team that once sat atop the Western Conference standings has now slipped to sixth. The main reason? The absence of their All-Star, All-NBA forward Kevin Durant.

Durant, who was having an MVP-caliber start to the season, has been sidelined with a calf strain. Despite missing 6 games — or 40% of the season — he still has the second-highest point total on the team with 248. With him on the court, the Suns were an impressive 8-1; without him, they’ve stumbled to 1-5.

Which brings us to the long term.

Looking at the long-term picture, Kevin Durant and the Suns were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the season began. The proposed extension would have been a one-year deal worth $60 million. Why didn’t it happen? According to Suns owner Mat Ishbia, the decision was tied to the inability to offer Durant a two-year extension.

“You can’t sign a two-year extension this last summer,” Mat Ishbia recently told ESPN’s Shams Charania. “You can’t do it based on the NBA rules. So we figured after the season we’ll talk about it, take care of it.”

The proposed extension would span two years and $120 million, securing Kevin Durant with the Suns through the 2026-27 season, by which time he will be 38 years old. As it stands, Durant’s current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, leaving the Suns with a critical decision about their long-term plans.

Ishbia echoed sentiments he has stated before, dispelling any rumors about Durant not wanting to be in Phoenix.

“[Durant] loves being in Phoenix, we love having him. He’s off to an amazing start this season — one of the MVP leaders — and we’re off to a very good start. We expect Kevin to sign an extension, be with us for the long term. We hope he finishes his career here in Phoenix.”

“Kevin wants to be here, we want Kevin here,” he added. “There’s never been one grumbling of anything different.”

The only other “grumbling” came this summer and was fabricated by ESPN as then-NBA insider suggested Durant could be on the move to the Houston Rockets.

Blowing smoke on the way out the door, eh Woj?

Mat Ishbia, who brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix on his very first day as owner, seems intent on ensuring KD finishes his career as a Sun, maintaining the core trio of Booker, Durant, and Beal for as long as possible. Durant’s current contract runs through the 2027-28 season, while Beal’s deal, should he opt into its final year (and at $57.1 million, why wouldn’t he?), extends through 2026-27.

Whether this strategy will pay off in the long term remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the Phoenix Suns are sending a strong message to the rest of the NBA: they value loyalty and are committed to taking care of their players. If only this philosophy had been in place back in the summer of 2004. Perhaps Joe Johnson would have stayed, and we’d be talking about the franchise’s pursuit of a second or third championship. Instead, we find ourselves hoping that this move to retain Durant will finally bring the Suns their long-awaited first title.