As the deadline for a contract extension nears closer, questions about Kevin Durant with the Suns keep getting louder. However, recent updates from NBA Insider are enough to answer every question about the same. The Suns’ owner, Mat Ishbia, had already clarified that, contrary to popular opinion, KD was fully satisfied and happy in Phoenix.

“We don’t really go through contract extensions publicly, but I’ll tell you this: Kevin loves it. We love Kevin. We plan on Kevin being here, and nothing changes with that,” Ishbia told reporters prior to the season. ESPN’s Shams Charania’s latest update is one that’s in complete agreement with this sentiment, as well.

It also provides more exclusive details on why the two parties have yet to decide about Durant’s impending contract extension.

“I’m told there will not be an extension there for Kevin Durant. He has two years left on his deal. He’s fully eligible for one-year $60 million extension this offseason before Monday’s deadline whereas next summer he’s going to be eligible for two years, upwards of a $120 million extension. And so, that’s where really Durant and the Suns’ focus has been,” Charania said to Malika Andrews on the latest episode of NBA on ESPN.

Durant is currently under contract through the 2025-26 season. But as mentioned above, if he so wishes, the 2x Finals MVP can sign an extension before the Monday deadline. But since the 36-year-old has two years left on his current contract, the most KD can negotiate is for a one-year extension, per CBA rules. It also allows for 140% of their current salary or the league’s maximum salary for that year.

However, were he to engage in a contract negotiation with one year left on his contract, CBA rules allow players to negotiate for a longer extension. And in Durant’s case, here, a two-year deal. Again, as mentioned above, considering the 140% rule and the league’s rising cap, Charania’s projected amount of $120+ million for two years could very well work out exactly so. Particularly, given KD is a max-contract player with 17 years of experience.

“They have both been focused on getting a deal done in a two-year range, not that one-year extension. Kevin Durant has expressed, publicly and privately, how much he loves Phoenix, the Suns. [He] Obviously wants this iteration of the team to work and they’re all in on the season, just like Kevin Durant is,” he further added.

And what did the man of the hour have to say about all this?

Kevin Durant claims to be focused on “basketball” rather than contract “conversations”

There’s no doubt that the veteran forward has nothing but pure love for the game. Of course, the same can be said of everyone playing the sport. But the fact is there is a financial side to it, too. As for Kevin Durant, the man has already made nearly $400 million from his career alone. Hence, when he says that he isn’t bothered about contract negotiations, we can take his word for it.

“I’m not even thinking about it. I’m just going to play out my contract really, and just focus on that. Focus on the team. I haven’t even really had conversations with anybody about a contract, so I’m just trying to focus on basketball,” he said to Duane Rankin of Arizona Republic earlier this week at practice.

Mat Ishbia is sparing no expenses in his quest for a title. Despite the injury-filled season last year, the Suns decided to run it again with their Big 3 along with some choice offseason moves. And the hope is that the trio of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant can bring home a title this year.

The ‘Slim Reaper’, too, seems to be simply focused on getting better. Even after all these years. “I’m just trying to keep getting better and keep growing my game and see how good I can get. That’s always been my main focus.“