Kevin Durant Prepares for 17th NBA Season with Phoenix Suns
As Kevin Durant gears up for his 17th NBA season, the Phoenix Suns' forward continues to embody both experience and elite performance. At 35 years old, Durant remains one of the league’s premier athletes, poised to make significant contributions to the Suns' aspirations.
Durant's journey in the NBA began when he was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, a team that eventually became the Oklahoma City Thunder. Through the years, Durant's career has been marked by numerous accolades and achievements, including securing his fourth Olympic gold medal for Team USA.
A Lifelong Dedication to Basketball
Durant's dedication to the game is rooted deeply in his past, having started playing basketball at the tender age of eight. Reflecting on his career, Durant shared the inevitability of contemplating 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. The thought of transitioning away from a life centered around basketball is a significant one for Durant, who has dedicated nearly his entire life to the sport.
Moreover, he expressed uncertainty about his future post-retirement, though his affection for the game remains unwavering. "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 explained.
Commitment to the Phoenix Suns
Currently playing for the Phoenix Suns, Durant has embraced both the team and the city. "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," he said, underscoring his connection with Suns fans and the organization's mission.
Durant's commitment is further reflected in his hopes of one day being honored by the club. "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," he shared, highlighting his aspiration to be immortalized by the franchise.
With two more fully guaranteed years left on his contract, Durant will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2026. This period offers ample opportunity for Durant to leave a lasting impact on the Suns, as he continues to build on an already illustrious career.
A Storied Career and Future Prospects
Throughout his time in the NBA, Durant has shared the court with many notable players from his draft class, including Al Horford, Mike Conley, and Jeff Green. His ability to maintain high-level performance well into his thirties speaks volumes about his prowess and dedication.
Looking ahead, Durant remains open to staying around the game in some capacity, even though he acknowledges the difficulty in forecasting the future. "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 mused, reflecting the uncertainty yet optimism that accompanies his contemplation of life beyond active play.
As Durant continues his NBA journey, the basketball world watches with admiration and anticipation. His ongoing contributions to the Suns and the legacy he builds in Phoenix will be key narratives as Durant forges ahead in his storied career, ever devoted to the game he has loved and excelled in since childhood.