Kevin Durant won’t be available when his Phoenix Suns host the Knicks Wednesday night due to a left calf strain injury, but Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia hopes to lock up the future Hall of Famer long-term.
Ishbia said he hopes to sign Durant, 36, to a two-year extension next summer. Durant will be eligible for a two-year, $120 million extension after this season. His current contract expires after the 2025-26 season.
“[Durant] loves being in Phoenix, we love having him,” Ishbia told ESPN. “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.
“You can’t sign a two-year extension this last summer, 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.
“Kevin wants to be here, we want Kevin here. There’s never been one grumbling of anything different.”
Durant has been out since Nov. 8 with the calf strain, but could return Tuesday when Phoenix visits LeBron James and the Lakers. Bradley Beal (calf) also remains out.
After an 8-1 start, the Suns have gone 1-5 and have fallen into sixth place in the Western Conference.