As Kevin Durant gears up for his 17th NBA season, the 35-year-old Phoenix Suns forward reflects on a stellar career that has spanned nearly two decades. Durant, who first picked up a basketball at the age of 8, has cemented his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats. His journey from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics to becoming a key player for the Suns is a narrative punctuated by individual brilliance and team successes.
Durant recently secured his fourth Olympic gold medal with Team USA, an achievement that underscores his enduring excellence on the international stage. Speaking about his future, Durant candidly discussed 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 admitted. Despite these thoughts, Durant's passion for the game remains unwavering.
With two more fully guaranteed years left on his contract, Durant will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2026. He continues to be a cornerstone for the Suns, a team he speaks of with genuine affection. "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. One day, I would like to receive the franchise's Ring of Honor," Durant expressed, highlighting his deep connection with the organization and its supporters.
Durant's career, which began with the historically significant SuperSonics—now the Oklahoma City Thunder—has seen him share the court with notable peers from his draft class, including Al Horford, Mike Conley, and Jeff Green. His journey through the NBA has been marked by numerous accolades and milestones, but Durant remains humble about what lies ahead. "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 stated, acknowledging the uncertainty of post-retirement plans.
For Durant, who has spent almost his entire life centered around basketball, the transition away from professional play looms large. "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 reflected, illustrating the magnitude of the shift he will eventually face.
As the Suns prepare for another season with Durant at the helm, the veteran player remains a pivotal figure in their quest for glory. His contributions on the court, combined with his leadership and experience, make him an invaluable asset to a team with its sights set on the NBA championship. Kevin Durant's enduring commitment and love for the game continue to inspire both teammates and fans, promising that his influence on and off the court will be felt for many years to come.