Kevin Durant trade to Suns: what does the deal involve and how much will KD make?

We’ve seen LeBron James rewrite the history books. We saw Kyrie Irving star on his debut with Dallas. And now we’re watching as Kevin Durant makes the big move to the Phoenix Suns. So much for this being the week for Super Bowl headlines. Hold my energy drink, said the NBA.

Thursday sees the NBA trade deadline as we awoke to the latest big news.

Durant to the Suns

Less than four days after the transfer of Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, and shortly after the point guard’s debut with the Texans, just as Russell Westbrook’s dismal time for the Lakers is almost done, Durant is all set for the Suns.

The Nets, after parting with Kyrie, have done the same with Durant, who goes to Arizona along with TJ Warren and in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder and four first rounds picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) and a 2028 pick swap for Durant and TJ Warren. It is, of course, one of the great transfers in all of NBA history. A colossal, transformative operation that puts the Suns in such a strong position.

What is Durant’s salary at the Suns?

Durant signed a four-year, $191 million extension in 2021 which kicked in this season. He’s still got three years left on his contract, with his earnings at $43 million plus an additional $1.1 million incentive.

There is no player option in the final year of the contract that runs until the 2025-26 season and in the next campaign he’ll be earning $46.4 million plus incentives of around $1.25 million. By the 2024-25 season, Durant will be one of the highest-paid players in the NBA with a salary of $49.9 million and when the final year rolls around he’ll be making $53.3 million and will have an incentive of $1.4 million. You’ll likely want to know how this compares to his Suns’ teammates.

The move raises the Suns’ ceiling to a point that we didn’t even see when they made the NBA Finals.