Kevin Durant Enters His 17th NBA Season with a Legacy of Excellence
Kevin Durant, a name synonymous with basketball prowess, is gearing up for his 17th NBA season. At 35 years old, Durant continues to defy age and expectations, remaining one of the league’s most formidable players. As he prepares to take the court once again with the Phoenix Suns, Durant reflects on a storied career filled with remarkable achievements and daunting challenges.
Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, Durant's journey through the league has been nothing short of riveting. The Seattle SuperSonics, which later became the Oklahoma City Thunder, laid the foundation for Durant’s early professional years. It was there that he began to solidify his reputation as an exceptional talent, later taking his skills to the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets before joining the Suns.
Durant’s career is punctuated by numerous accolades, including his recent accomplishment of securing a fourth Olympic gold medal while representing Team USA. This milestone further cements his standing as one of the game’s greats, an honor that few other players in history can claim.
As Durant looks ahead, he is acutely aware of the passage of time and the inevitability of retirement. "As I get older in the league and the league is getting younger, I tend to think about retirement more. It creeps in my mind for sure," he admits. The thought of stepping away from the game he has played since he was just 8 years old brings with it a mix of contemplation and uncertainty. "I honestly don't know what I'll do [when I stop playing]. I have a lot of different interests. I definitely want to stay around the game... That's gonna be a huge, huge transition. I've been at this since I was 8. It's gonna be hopefully 30 years of me doing this where every day was centered around the game of basketball. It hasn't been no other lifestyle but this."
Durant’s time in Phoenix has been marked by a deepening connection to the team and the community. "I love playing in Phoenix, I love our fans, I love the city. ... I realized what our mission is by being in the Valley and I realized how much these people care about their team. I started to understand the history of the Phoenix Suns and I am happy to be a part of it," he shares. His commitment is evident as he expresses a desire to be honored by the franchise one day. "One day, I would like to receive the franchise's Ring of Honor."
Durant’s tenure with the Suns is set for at least two more years, with his current contract guaranteed through the 2025-2026 season. This continuity provides a sense of stability as the Suns aim to capitalize on his veteran leadership and exceptional skill set. As an unrestricted free agent only in 2026, Durant’s presence will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the team’s bid for greatness in the coming seasons.
With a draft class that included notable names such as Al Horford, Mike Conley, and Jeff Green, Durant emerged as a standout player right from the beginning. His journey, rife with both individual and team successes, is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport.
As the new NBA season approaches, fans and analysts alike watch keenly to see how Durant will continue to shape the league’s narrative. His reflections on retirement and his future with the game only add to the intrigue, as does his unwavering desire to anchor the Suns to new heights. "Right now I would say yes [about staying in the game], but that's just a figure of speech, I can't know what's going to happen," he muses, leaving the door open for possibilities both on and off the court.
Kevin Durant’s basketball legacy is already secure, but as he embarks on his 17th season, he remains driven by the love of the game and a commitment to furthering his impact on and off the hardwood. The journey may evolve, but the essence of Durant’s contribution to basketball will undoubtedly endure.