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

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

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

Durant, who had 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 have 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 come to 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 last summer,” Mat Ishbia recently told ESPN’s Shams Charania. “You can’t do that based on NBA rules. So we figured after the season we’d talk about it, take care of it.”

The proposed extension would span two years and $120 million and secure Kevin Durant with the Suns through the 2026-27 season, when 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 regarding their long-term plans.

Ishbia echoed sentiments he’s expressed before, denying any rumors that Durant doesn’t want to be in Phoenix.

“(Durant) loves being in Phoenix, we love having him. He’s off to a great start this season — one of the MVP leaders — and we’re off to a very good start. We expect Kevin to sign on an extension and that he is 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 has never been a murmur of anything different.”

The only other “rumbling” came this summer and was produced by ESPN, when the NBA insider at the time suggested that Durant could be headed to Houston Rockets.

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

Mat Ishbia, who brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix on his very first day as owner, seems intent on making sure KD finishes his career as a Sun, keeping the core trio of Booker, Durant and Beal 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 to 2026-27.

Whether this strategy will pay off in the long term remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: 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. Maybe Joe Johnson would have stayed and we’d be talking about the franchise’s pursuit of a second or third championship. Instead, we’re hoping this move to keep Durant will finally bring the Suns their long-awaited first title.