Kevin Durant is aware that his NBA legacy will always be the subject of much debate, given the direction his career has taken. He, however, is not too concerned about it — he feels confident in what he has accomplished during his run.
The 19-year NBA veteran found himself on the move again in the offseason after playing two and a half seasons with the Phoenix Suns . He was part of a seven-player deal that took him to the Houston Rockets .
Houston will be his fourth team since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder , the team that selected him second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, in 2016.
With the Rockets, Durant aims to write a new chapter and add to his legacy, which he now admits to having a different perspective on at this stage of his career.
"I mean, the definition of legacy, um, has just got confusing over the last few years to me. So, to me, it's always about impact and building good relationships within the organization. I just felt that every place I have been, from the outside looking in, it may have been tough breakup, from each team that I have been to," he said .
"But behind the scenes, I have built so many great relationships with people, lifelong friendships that have been formed for playing in these organizations…The relationships that you build on a human level is the most important thing. I think that's the most impactful as you go through this journey in the NBA," he added.
Durant, 37, who also played with the Golden State Warriors from 2016 to 2019, winning two championships, and the Brooklyn Nets (2019-2023), has always maintained that the decision to switch teams was not planned.
He stated that numerous considerations were taken into account in every move he's made. It included where he was most comfortable playing, his relationship with his teammates and whether his stay would be beneficial for the team.
It is something Suns owner Matt Ishbia highlighted when he talked about the Durant trade in an interview with "NBA Today."
"[ Kevin Durant ] is a great player, nobody can ever question that, but he just wasn't a fit for what we're doing going forward. He's had an amazing career, but he's not a fit for what we're doing going forward. We wish him the best, but we love the guys we got," Ishbia said.
With the Rockets, Durant, who played for the Texas Longhorns in college, is back playing for a team in the Lone Star State and is extremely excited about the opportunity.
He will aim to bring veteran presence and championship experience to a team that made significant strides last season, led by the youthful core of All-Star Alperen Sengun , Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.
Durant said he is not one to promise an NBA title at the onset. But now, in a Rockets jersey, he is looking forward to helping the team reach the next level.
Whether Houston will be the final stop for Durant in his illustrious career remains to be seen. Like what he has done all this time, however, expect him to continue delivering on the court and fostering good relationships with his teammates. And the Rockets should benefit from it.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
