Kevin Durant’s Next Chapter: Rockets, Wolves, and His Legacy
A misunderstood hooper, a legacy still in motion — How KD’s next move could finally bring clarity.
When I was in the eighth grade, I got my first pair of Kevin Durant shoes. Coming off the heels of the famous, “you the real MVP” speech, I felt fly and wholesome in those pink and emerald KD7 Egg Nogs. Unfortunately, my body wasn’t a fan of low-top basketball shoes and my first game ended with a left ankle sprain.
KD7 Egg Nogs
A lot has changed in the decade since I injured my ankle. Kevin Durant won two rings. Lebron’s son is in the league. And JJ Redick has held jobs as both a podcaster and a head coach. But in those ten years, one thing has stayed the same: KD’s shoes are still shit.
Fast forward a decade from my own ankle injury, and Kevin Durant finds himself on the Phoenix Suns injury report, out against the Golden State Warriors with, guess what? A left ankle sprain.
Though KD is no longer jockeying for a spot in the NBA MVP ladder, if you look at a 2025 Kevin Durant game log, it’s indistinguishable from those in 2015. Kevin Durant is still a lethal scorer, averaging 26.6 points per game on 52.7% from the field and 43% from three this year.
Yet, even after a decade plus of elite scoring and two NBA Finals MVPs, talking heads like Inside the NBA’s Charles Barkley, still discredit Durant for never being the “bus driver”.
So, where does Kevin Durant rank amongst the best NBA players of all time? Is he top-10? Is he even top-15? Let’s dive into the answer and the reason why, if you asked KD himself, it doesn’t really matter. Plus, let’s see if he has room to boost his all-time ranking.
A History of “Apathy”
Kevin Durant is the epitome of the person who needs everyone to know how much they don’t care. But KD does care, and he always has.
While the word “caring” could be applied to Durant’s relationship with the media, Durant’s whole public identity is defined by his obsessive care/love for the game. He’s never been the showman Lebron is. He’s never had the aura of Shai. And he’s never wanted to. KD just wants to hoop.
Durant is the definition of a hooper. It’s my belief that if KD had never discovered organized basketball, he’d still be working on his craft at a random court in the DMV (D.C.-Maryland-Virginia).
When Durant reflected on why his decision to leave Golden State in 2019 free agency, he said, “It wasn’t about: ‘I want to be the best ever. I want to be better than LeBron or [Michael Jordan].’ I don’t give a s--- about that. I want to wake up every day and do what I do. If we win, I know that stuff comes with me being the best that I can be.”
Whether you believe that quote is rooted in cap or PR-savvy indifference, one thing’s for sure: Durant has spent his entire career making the hardest game in the world look stupidly easy.
What’s next?
Recent reports all but confirm that this will be Durant’s final season with the Suns. So, what’s his “next chapter”? As an NBA play in tournament team, this season is cooked for the Suns.
According to Bleacher Report, Durant’s most likely destinations are Houston, Minnesota, Golden State (hell no), Oklahoma City, or the New York Knicks.
Golden State and OKC don’t make sense to me. Durant loathes the idea of “moving backwards” or chasing something that once was. That’s part of the reason he pushed back against the Golden State Warriors trade this season—that, and he didn’t want to deal with the decimation of rosters that often comes with midseason trades.
New York also seems unlikely, as Durant already played in Brooklyn and dealt with Knicks rumors in 2019.
If I had to bet where KD prefers, it would be Minnesota. Playing alongside another elite scorer in Anthony Edwards, the Wolves would be an elite offense and Durant could just worry about hooping. On top of that, they’re defensive length would be scary with Durant, Gobert, McDaniels, Randle, and Ant.
The only issue is that if KD went to the Wolves, it could be perceived that he’s “ring chasing” once again. If that’s the sentiment in KD’s eyes, he’ll probably avoid that destination.
Houston also could make sense. Since Houston is young with Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün, and co., Durant would be front and center as the “bus driver” (at least offensively). He could provide them with the elite scorer they currently lack. On top of that, Houston games fall under the radar from night to night, which Durant prefers.
The Legacy Question
So where does that leave Durant’s legacy?
Statistically, he’s top-tier. One of the three greatest pure scorers the league has ever seen. Eighth on the all-time points list and climbing—at his current pace, KD needs just another year and a half to crack the top five.
Outside of scoring, Durant has also been one of the best all-around players. While he’s stuffed the stat sheet with assists and rebounds, he also showcased elite defense for some years, being top-10 in the 2017-18 DPOY voting.
The résumé speaks for itself:
15x NBA All Star
11x All-NBA
4x Scoring Champ
2013-14 NBA MVP
2x NBA Champ
2x Finals MVP
2007-08 Rookie of the Year
NBA Top-75
Still, for many, the argument of KD’s greatness falls short. Not because of a lack of talent. Not even because of the ring count. But because of the perception.
What Durant sees as growth, others would call running away.
He joined the Warriors. Left the Warriors. Teamed up with Kyrie in Brooklyn Nets. Left that too. Now he’s in Phoenix — where he’ll soon be leaving.
Along the way, he beefed with fans on Twitter, sparred with the media, and wrestled with the narrative around his name.
Durant trolling ex-teammate and member of ESPN, Kendrick Perkins.
Still… if KD wants to write one final chapter — one that leaves less doubt around his legacy, his leadership, or his love for the game — there’s no better time than now. And no better story than a misunderstood hooper finally getting the flowers he's always deserved.
So, to me, Kevin Durant lands at #12 on the all-time list — and this summer, he should consider getting traded to either the Rockets or Wolves.
Both squads would give him the opportunity to write a final chapter. One that isn’t muddled in a distorted perception.
Just pure hoops — the way it’s always been for KD.
