As Kevin Durant approaches his 17th NBA season with the Phoenix Suns, the 35-year-old superstar has begun to openly acknowledge that thoughts of retirement are starting to weigh on his mind. Having just added another Olympic gold medal to his collection—his fourth with Team USA—Durant is at a point in his career where the idea of stepping away from the game is becoming more of a reality.
In a candid interview with TV One, Durant reflected on the evolving nature of the league and how it has influenced his own mindset. “As the league gets younger and I get older, the thought of retirement crosses my mind more frequently,” Durant shared. “It’s something that’s definitely there, lingering in my thoughts. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do once I stop playing. I’ve got a lot of interests, but basketball has been my life since I was eight years old. Transitioning away from that is going to be huge—it’s been my world for nearly 30 years.”
Kevin Durant, who entered the league as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has had a storied career that began with the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics. Today, he stands as one of the last players from that draft class still active, alongside Al Horford, Mike Conley, and Jeff Green. While Durant isn’t planning on retiring just yet, it’s clear that the 14-time All-Star is beginning to grapple with what lies ahead.
A compelling aspect of Durant’s future is what he will decide to do at the end of his current contract with the Suns. With two fully guaranteed years remaining, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The question looms: will he extend his contract with Phoenix, or perhaps make one final move to chase another championship elsewhere?
In February, Durant expressed his current feelings about potentially finishing his career in Phoenix. “If you ask me now, I’d say yes, but that’s just a way of speaking—I can’t predict the future,” Durant told ESPN. “I love playing in Phoenix, I love the fans, and the city has grown on me. I’ve come to understand the mission here and how much the people care about their team. Learning about the Suns’ history has made me proud to be part of this organization. Someday, I’d love to be inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor.”
As Durant continues to ponder what his post-NBA life might look like, the basketball world will be watching closely, aware that the end of an era could be approaching sooner than later.
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