The Phoenix Suns are set to move on from Kevin Durant this offseason, but other teams are viewing him as a one-year rental, according to Jake Fischer. Phoenix want to get a trade done quickly and multiple teams are rumored to be interested. The Suns may even be able to land an All-Star in return, but the price will be depressed if teams aren’t willing to extend KD.
Durant is set to make $54.7 million in the final year of his contract. He will be a free agent in the summer of 2026 unless a new deal gets completed. KD turns 37 in September but has shown no signs of slowing down. He made second-team All-NBA in 2024. Durant put up similar numbers in 2025, but only played 62 games.
The Suns’ stubbornness will only make this worse. They appear determined to trade Durant before the June 25 draft. If teams do not raise their prices, some franchise will get KD for a bargain.
Teams are viewing Kevin Durant as a one-year rental
If Fischer is correct, the team who trades for him would try to win in 2026 and let Durant hit the open market next summer. This would be appealing to a team like the Knicks. New York just fired their head coach and made it clear they are all-in on winning a championship. KD certainly improves their odds and would give them an elite second scorer behind Jalen Brunson.
This does not make a ton of sense for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama is 21 years old. San Antonio wants to get the young superstar his first playoff experience, but they have 15 years to build a title contender around him. Expect the Spurs to offer significantly less if they think Durant only stays for one season.
This may be Durant himself signaling to teams he plans to test free agency. He famously teamed up with Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 after the two stars chose their destination together. Could KD be setting up something similar for his final act? It may explain why teams see him as a one-year rental.
Either way, that is bad for the Suns. They missed the playoffs in 2025 and can’t trade Bradley Beal. Phoenix wants to move Durant to improve their odds of contending. If the return is muted by a tepid market, the Suns face an even darker future.
It is a difficult time to be a Phoenix Suns fan. Owner Mat Ishbia’s tenure has been disastrous and only seems to get worse. Now, Durant is going to be traded for a lesser return and there are no guarantees the Suns can build a contender around Devin Booker. Stay tuned for all the latest. It doesn’t sound good, but it only takes one bidder to up the price. Hopefully, the Suns can find that team.