Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Durant
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Durant made an impact.
Kevin Durant, or KD, is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently playing for the Houston Rockets. He boasts an impressive resume including two NBA championships, four Olympic gold medals, one NBA MVP award, and two NBA Finals MVP awards. A prolific scorer, Durant has also secured four NBA scoring titles and was named Rookie of the Year. He's an 11-time All-NBA team selection, a 15-time All-Star, and was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His scoring prowess places him eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, solidifying his place among basketball's elite.
1996: Historical Milestones with Westbrook
In 2015–16 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since 1996.
2006: College Season at Texas Longhorns
For the 2006-07 college season, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Texas Longhorns and was recognized as the unanimous national player of the year, winning the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. Following the season, he declared for the NBA draft.
2006: Declaration for NBA Draft
In 2006, Durant said he would have declared for the NBA draft if the NBA hadn't introduced the one-and-done rule.
February 2007: Invitation to US National Team Training Camp
In February 2007, Kevin Durant was invited to the United States national team training camp, but was cut from the team due to the experience of other players.
2007: Named NBA Rookie of the Year
At the end of the 2007–08 NBA season, Durant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
2007: First NBA Game and Game-Winning Shot
In 2007, Durant played his first NBA game and made the first game-winning shot of his career.
2009: First NBA All-Star Game Selection and Playoff Debut
During the 2009-10 season, Durant was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game. With a scoring average of 30.1 points per game, Durant became the youngest NBA scoring champion and was selected to his first All-NBA team. In his playoff debut, Durant scored 24 points in a Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2010: All-NBA Honors
In 2010, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.
2010: FIBA World Championship Victory and MVP
In 2010, Kevin Durant was selected to the national team and led Team USA to its first FIBA World Championship since 1994, earning tournament MVP honors.
2010: Contract Extension and Second Scoring Title
Prior to the start of the 2010-11 season, Durant announced via Twitter that he had signed a five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth approximately $86 million. For the second consecutive year, Durant led the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.7 points a game.
2010: Start of International Career
Starting in 2010, Kevin Durant began a long run with the senior men's United States national team.
2010: Improving Playmaker
Starting in 2010, Kevin Durant increased his assist numbers every year.
2011: Playoff Run to Conference Finals
In the 2011 NBA playoffs, Oklahoma City defeated the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies en route to a Conference Finals match-up against the Dallas Mavericks, losing in five games.
2011: First 50-Point Game and All-Star MVP
On February 19 of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Durant recorded his first career 50-point game, scoring 51 points against the Denver Nuggets. At the All-Star Game, he scored 36 points and was awarded the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.
2012: NBA Finals Appearance and Scoring Title
In 2012, Durant finished the year with a scoring average of 28 points per game, representing his third straight scoring title. The Thunder reached the NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat. Durant led all players with 30.6 points per game during the Finals.
2012: Strong Finisher
In 2012, Kevin Durant converted 72.2% of shots in the paint.
2012: Finals Appearance with the Thunder
In 2012, Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA Finals appearance.
2012: Olympic Record and Gold Medal
In 2012, Kevin Durant set a record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament and helped the U.S. national team win a gold medal.
2013: 50-40-90 Club Member
By 2013, Kevin Durant was shooting at a historically great clip, which helped him become one of only nine members of the 50–40–90 club.
2013: Earnings and Roc Nation Signing
In 2013, Kevin Durant earned $35 million, making him the fourth-highest-earning basketball player that year. He also signed with the Roc Nation group.
2013: $1 Million Donation to American Red Cross
In 2013, Kevin Durant pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of the 2013 Moore tornado. This inspired the Thunder and Nike to match his donation.
2013: MVP Award
In 2013, Kevin Durant won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
2013: Scoring Streak and MVP Season
In January of the 2013–14 season, Durant averaged 35.9 points per game while scoring 30 or more points in 12 straight games, including a career-high 54 points against the Golden State Warriors. In April, he surpassed Michael Jordan's record for consecutive games scoring 25 points or more at 41. The Thunder finished the year with 59 wins and Durant was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player behind averages of 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
2013: Playoff Elimination after Westbrook's Injury
In the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Westbrook tore his meniscus, forcing him to miss the remainder of the postseason. The Thunder were eliminated in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies.
2014: Improving Playmaker
Ending in 2014, Kevin Durant increased his assist numbers every year.
2014: Scoring Titles
Ending in 2014, Kevin Durant won four scoring titles.
2014: Partnership with KIND Snacks
In 2014, Kevin Durant partnered with KIND snacks and launched StrongAndKind.com to promote kindness.
2014: MVP Season Concludes
The 2013-2014 season saw Kevin Durant win the MVP award.
2014: Playoff Struggles and Conference Finals Loss
To begin the first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs, Durant struggled against the physical play of the Grizzlies, converting on only 24 percent of his field goals in game 4. Oklahoma City eventually eliminated Memphis and the Los Angeles Clippers before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in six games.
2015: Context of Move to the Warriors
On July 4, 2016, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors in The Players' Tribune. The move was negatively received by fans and pundits as the team was coming off a record-setting 73-win season in 2016 and a championship in 2015.
2015: Historical Milestones with Westbrook
To begin the 2015–16 season, Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to each score at least 40 points in a single game since 1996.
July 4, 2016: Announcement of Intent to Sign with Warriors
On July 4, 2016, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors in The Players' Tribune, receiving negative reactions from fans and pundits.
2016: Durant Joins the Golden State Warriors
In 2016, Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors. He made his debut on October 25 against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 27 points. On November 26, he recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and six blocks against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On February 11, Durant played his first game back in Oklahoma City, scoring 34 points. In March 2016, he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, which forced him to miss 19 games. The Warriors finished the 2016-17 season with a 67-15 record.
2016: Joining the Warriors
In 2016, Kevin Durant joined the Warriors, improving their already elite offense.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal and Athlete of the Year
In 2016, Kevin Durant rejoined Team USA and led them to a gold medal. He was also named co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
2017: Founding Thirty Five Ventures
In 2017, Kevin Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman founded Thirty Five Ventures.
2017: Durant Wins First NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2017, Kevin Durant returned from injury for the NBA playoffs and helped the Warriors advance to the Finals. In Game 1, he scored 38 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant helped the Warriors go up 3-0 in the series with 31 points in Game 3. He scored 39 points in Game 5, securing the series win. Durant was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2017, averaging 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists during the Finals. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16-1 record.
2017: Durant Re-Signs with the Warriors
In 2017, after the NBA Finals, Durant declined his $27.7 million player option and became an unrestricted free agent. On July 25, 2017, he re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $51.25 million contract, taking less than the maximum to help the team retain its core players.
February 13, 2018: Apple Basketball Drama Series
On February 13, 2018, it was reported that Kevin Durant and Brian Grazer's Imagine Television would create a basketball-themed scripted drama for Apple.
July 7, 2018: Durant Re-Signs with the Warriors
On July 7, 2018, Durant re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $61.5 million contract, including a player option for the second year.
2018: Durant Wins Second NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2018, Durant recorded a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, leading the Warriors to a 3–0 advantage. Golden State ultimately swept Cleveland and Durant won his second back-to-back Finals MVP Award with averages of 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
2018: Defensive Player of the Year Consideration
In 2018, Kevin Durant was considered for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
June 2019: Durant Decides to Sit Out the 2019-20 Season
Shortly after sustaining his injury in June 2019, Durant decided he would sit out the entire 2019-20 season.
June 30, 2019: Durant Announces Plans to Sign with the Brooklyn Nets
On June 30, 2019, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Brooklyn Nets after the July moratorium. Golden State later announced that Durant's No. 35 would no longer be issued.
2019: Achilles Injury and Joining Brooklyn Nets
After sustaining an Achilles injury in the 2019 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent that summer.
2019: Durant Suffers Achilles Injury in NBA Finals
In 2019, Durant returned from a strained right calf in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Toronto and scored 11 points in the first quarter. However, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury two minutes into the second quarter. The Warriors won the game, but ultimately lost the series in Game 6.
2019: All-NBA Honors
In 2019, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.
June 15, 2020: Minority Owner of Philadelphia Union
On June 15, 2020, Kevin Durant became a minority owner of MLS side Philadelphia Union, acquiring a 5% stake with the possibility to add another 5% in the near future.
December 22, 2020: Durant Makes Nets Debut
On December 22, 2020, Durant made his debut with the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 22 points in a win against his former team, the Golden State Warriors.
2020: Basketball County Documentary
In 2020, Thirty Five Ventures produced Basketball County, a documentary about youth basketball in Durant's home county. Durant served as an executive producer and appeared in interviews.
January 14, 2021: James Harden Traded to the Nets
On January 14, 2021, James Harden was traded to the Nets, reuniting Durant with his former Thunder teammate.
January 16, 2021: Durant Scores Season-High 42 Points
On January 16, 2021, Durant scored a season-high 42 points in a win against the Orlando Magic.
April 7, 2021: Durant Returns From Hamstring Injury
On April 7, 2021, Durant returned from a hamstring injury, scoring 17 points in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
August 8, 2021: Durant Signs Extension with the Nets
On August 8, 2021, Durant signed a four-year, $198 million extension with the Brooklyn Nets.
2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kevin Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his significant contributions to the league.
2021: Academy Award for Short Film
In 2021, Thirty Five Ventures' work Two Distant Strangers won the Academy Award for Short Film (Live Action).
2021: Olympic Gold Medal and MVP Award
In 2021, delayed from 2020 due to COVID-19, Kevin Durant broke Carmelo Anthony's Olympic scoring record, led the U.S. to a gold medal, and was named the tournament's MVP. He was also named 2021 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
January 15, 2022: Durant Suffers Knee Injury
On January 15, 2022, during a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, Durant exited the game after suffering a left knee injury, later revealed to be a sprained MCL, and was ruled out for four to six weeks.
June 30, 2022: Durant Requests Trade from the Nets
On June 30, 2022, it was reported that Kevin Durant had requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, with his preferred destinations being the Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat.
August 24, 2022: Durant Rescinds Trade Request
On August 24, 2022, Durant rescinded his trade request after meeting with Nets management.
2022: Trade Request from the Nets
During the 2022 offseason, Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets due to disagreements with the front office.
2022: All-NBA Honors
In 2022, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.
February 9, 2023: Durant Traded to the Phoenix Suns
On February 9, 2023, the Nets traded Durant, along with T. J. Warren, to the Phoenix Suns. Durant returned to wearing No. 35 for the Suns.
2024: End of International Career
By 2024, Kevin Durant had played 37 official games for the senior men's United States national team, bringing home five gold medals and setting numerous U.S. Olympic men's career records.
2024: All-NBA Honors
In 2024, Kevin Durant earned one of his 11 All-NBA honors.
2024: Fourth Olympic Appearance and Record-Breaking Performance
In 2024, Kevin Durant made his fourth Olympic appearance, becoming the United States' all-time rebounding and scoring leader at the Olympics. Team USA won the gold medal, making Durant the first and only four-time gold medalist in men's basketball.
January 25, 2025: Named Western Conference All-Star Starter
On January 25, 2025, Kevin Durant was selected as a Western Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifteenth overall selection and thirteenth as a starter.
July 6, 2025: Traded to Houston Rockets
On July 6, 2025, Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team trade, the largest in NBA history.
July 2025: Traded to Houston Rockets
In July 2025, after two full seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets.
2028: Suns-Nets First Round Pick Swap
As part of the February 9, 2023, trade, the Suns and Nets agreed to a first-round pick swap in 2028.
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