Prediction: KD will play into the 2030's

[NyKnicks1714]

Say what you will about Durant, but he loves basketball about as much as anyone, seemingly to the point where he's hyperfocused on it 24/7 and cares little about anything else. I expect him to retire at an older age than LeBron will, and I seriously think Curry and obviously LeBron will be retired long enough to be inducted into the HOF before KD retires.

[tsherkin]

Say what you will about Durant, but he loves basketball about as much as anyone, seemingly to the point where he's hyperfocused on it 24/7 and cares little about anything else. I expect him to retire at an older age than LeBron will, and I seriously think Curry and obviously LeBron will be retired long enough to be inducted into the HOF before KD retires.

He's already at 17 seasons and over 41,000 minutes. There are 4 more seasons in the 2020s. Odds of him playing more than 21 seasons are pretty slim. He's also already averaging about 55 GP per season over the past half decade, and will be 37 this season.

I don't think his body lets him play into the 2030s. I don't think he sets the record for seasons played. That's Vince Carter and Lebron at the moment, and Lebron's still going.

[NyKnicks1714]

Say what you will about Durant, but he loves basketball about as much as anyone, seemingly to the point where he's hyperfocused on it 24/7 and cares little about anything else. I expect him to retire at an older age than LeBron will, and I seriously think Curry and obviously LeBron will be retired long enough to be inducted into the HOF before KD retires.

He's already at 17 seasons and over 41,000 minutes. There are 4 more seasons in the 2020s. Odds of him playing more than 21 seasons are pretty slim. He's also already averaging about 55 GP per season over the past half decade, and will be 37 this season.

I don't think his body lets him play into the 2030s. I don't think he sets the record for seasons played. That's Vince Carter and Lebron at the moment, and Lebron's still going.

I think as long as he avoids another catastrophic injury he's going to keep going. I haven't thought about it too much, but I can't think of a player in the modern era who's had a better scoring season (when you consider both volume and efficiency) at 36 than KD did last season.

[azcatz11]

I agree. He also doesn't have kids or a family. Basketball is his life purpose

[tsherkin]

I think as long as he avoids another catastrophic injury he's going to keep going. I haven't thought about it too much, but I can't think of a player in the modern era who's had a better scoring season (when you consider both volume and efficiency) at 36 than KD did last season.

Given his injury history, I suspect he WILL run into an injury which will cut him short, to be honest.

He's a phenomenal scorer even now, but his body is already starting to go, and the minutes will only pile on more.

[JXL]

Say what you will about Durant, but he loves basketball about as much as anyone, seemingly to the point where he's hyperfocused on it 24/7 and cares little about anything else. I expect him to retire at an older age than LeBron will, and I seriously think Curry and obviously LeBron will be retired long enough to be inducted into the HOF before KD retires.

Already has lower leg injuries, including the torn Achilles. He has 2-3 years at best if he stays healthy, otherwise he's 1 bad leg injury away from retirement.

[Hangtime84]

Whatever age Robert Parish finished playing basketball that will be KD age when finished

[bonita_the_frog]

Durant is currently 27ppg on 53%fg and 43%downtown, and the most likely Finals MVP when Houston win it all.

I think KD will win 3 or more rings with Houston.
MJ's 6 rings will be in danger.

Kevin Durant will score 25+ppg at an older age than LeBron i predict

So considering his ability to defy injury better than anyone we've ever seen, and considering he's the most naturally gifted scorer maybe ever, he's going to have the longest career in NBA history.
He'll still be scoring big at 45-years-old, and he'll never want to retire... because all he cares about is basketball.

KD will still be scoring 25ppg when he's 40-years-old, he's untouchable at his height with his shooting skill, even with his mid-career lull (in terms of team success) he may still win as many rings as MJ.
.527 field shooting, .430 three shooting last season, and probably even better at Houston...
Houston will be a dynasty, and KD will be their leading scorer for the next 5+ years!

[tsherkin]

I think KD will win 3 or more rings with Houston.

That one was pretty funny, I'll give you that.

So considering his ability to defy injury better than anyone we've ever seen,

Do what? He's missed tons and tons of time, and is a visibly different player by basically every measure and angle since the injury.

But yes, solid comedy post.

[TheGeneral99]

He's 36 years old with injury issues throughout his career.

He may play until he's 40 because he's that skilled, but no way he plays into the 2030s.

[DusterBuster]

I agree. He also doesn't have kids or a family. Basketball is his life purpose

I guess I could see it either way. Depends how long into the 2030's we're talking. I think he'll probably call it a career before then, but I could also be wrong. Just totally depends how his body is holding up.

I agree though, dude is the personification of "ball is life". Well, ball and picking dumb fights online with Twitter trolls.

[Shock Defeat]

KD is a walking bucket. He can be barely mobile, but can probably still put up an efficient 15PPG in the league.

[NyKnicks1714]

Durant is currently 27ppg on 53%fg and 43%downtown, and the most likely Finals MVP when Houston win it all.

I think KD will win 3 or more rings with Houston.
MJ's 6 rings will be in danger.

Kevin Durant will score 25+ppg at an older age than LeBron i predict

So considering his ability to defy injury better than anyone we've ever seen, and considering he's the most naturally gifted scorer maybe ever, he's going to have the longest career in NBA history.
He'll still be scoring big at 45-years-old, and he'll never want to retire... because all he cares about is basketball.

KD will still be scoring 25ppg when he's 40-years-old, he's untouchable at his height with his shooting skill, even with his mid-career lull (in terms of team success) he may still win as many rings as MJ.
.527 field shooting, .430 three shooting last season, and probably even better at Houston...
Houston will be a dynasty, and KD will be their leading scorer for the next 5+ years!

Calm down guy

[ShootersShoot]

I dont doubt he could play in the league into his 40s. I've always enjoyed seeing old vets ring chase for whatever reason. Would be interesting to see if he or bron at some point in the near future would take the minimum to play on a contender.

[Optms]

Lebron doing what he's doing really has people believing its possible. Yeah not happening. Lebron is one of one. KD has 3 more seasons max. I expect a heavy decline any time, possible injuries.

[bonita_the_frog]

I think KD will win 3 or more rings with Houston.

That one was pretty funny, I'll give you that.

So considering his ability to defy injury better than anyone we've ever seen,

Do what? He's missed tons and tons of time, and is a visibly different player by basically every measure and angle since the injury.

But yes, solid comedy post.

Has anyone ever recovered from a SERIOUS career-threatening injury better than Durant? His shooting stats now are better than his most athletic years, and last season he averaged 1.2 blocks per game, which is higher than his career average!

Oklahoma City Durant shot .483 field, .380 threes
Golden State Durant shot .524 field, .384 threes
Phoenix Durant shot .527 field, .427 threes
And in the 2025 Playoffs Durant shot .552 field, .417 threes
And now Durant goes to the most athletic team in the NBA, a match made in heaven!

[cpower]

You jinxed him pretty bad here.

[Ito]

That’s 5 seasons away.. so prolly no

After 40 yes but 5 years? Maybe that’s when he’ll retire tho or round that time

Still wont catch up in points

[TheGeneral99]

I think the question should be whether he sustains an all-star caliber level of play into the 2030s.

If he is willing to do what Vince did and become a role player or bench player, then yes he will be able to play into his early 40s.

Duncan in 2016 at 39 years old was still a very good player, but clearly not the all-star he once was. No doubt he could have played another 4-5 years as a bench role player if he wanted to.

Stockton at 40 years old still averaged 11 and 8 on efficient shooting as a very good starter and amazingly played all 82 games. No doubt he could have played a few more years if he chose accept himself as a role player.

Lebron is a freak because he's 40 and still playing at an elite level with elite athleticism. He's not athletic as peak Lebron but he's such a freak, that he's still more athletic than most of the league.

[rand]

Would be really cool to see KD get a 5th gold medal in 2028. Plus he could pad his Olympic stat records in a few categories.