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‘First one in line’: Suns’ star Kevin Durant still going strong entering 18th season

Posted on October 3, 2024 - 1:51 am by

Kevin Durant wanted to make it clear.

It’s Year 18, not 17.

“Eighteen,” a smiling Durant said on Day 2 of training camp Wednesday at the team’s practice facility.

Turning 36 years old Sunday, Durant has played in 1,231 NBA games counting the playoffs and had way more practices than that, but he still has that energy and drive to continue competing and balling at an elite level.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s always fun getting back into the swing of things,” Durant said. “It’s been a long summer. You kind of miss the guys, you miss your routine a bit. Anxious to see what the new coaching staff is like. It’s an exciting part of the year.”

Durant also continues to push himself as if it was his first training camp way back in 2007.

“There are so many things that are so impressive about Kevin,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “To see what he’s doing out here in training camp. Leading with his effort, leading with his competitiveness. He doesn’t take drills off. First one in line. It’s kind of the stuff that you want from your best players. Could not be more impressed with him.”

The Suns practiced Wednesday afternoon after going twice Tuesday. They’ll continue camp Thursday.



“We got another good, intense, competitive day in,” Suns guard Grayson Allen said. “Everyone was good from (Tuesday). Everyone is in a good spot. A lot of learning, teaching, scripting plays. Going over our defensive habits and getting up and down and competing a little bit.”

Durant is entering his 17th season of actually playing. He missed the 2019-20 season in Brooklyn after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in the 2019 finals with Golden State.

The two-time finals MVP is coming off one of his best seasons, averaging 27.1 points on 52.3% shooting, 6.6 rebounds and five assists. Making All-NBA second team, Durant shot 41.3% from 3 and climbed up to eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

“He’s just a hooper,” Suns guard Devin Booker said. “I think his love for the game is what keeps him going.”



Durant’s now back for his second full season in Phoenix after capturing a record fourth Olympic gold medal for men’s basketball. The Suns acquired him in the blockbuster trade during the 2022-23 season from Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and multiple first-round picks.

The Suns were the first team eliminated from last season’s playoffs as Minnesota swept them in the first round, but they return this season with championship aspirations largely due to having Durant.

“You talk about championships, but you really don’t talk about it once the season starts and once the ball gets to bouncing because you want to build your habits every single day, but in the back of your mind, you know what the main goal is of the season,” Durant said.

The Suns are looking to return to the finals for the first time since the 2020-21 season when they fell to Budenholzer’s Bucks in six games.



Phoenix is one of 10 NBA franchises without an NBA championship.

“And you can tell that everybody in this locker room has that main goal,” Durant continued. “We’re just trying to keep growing every day, stack good days, build chemistry with each other and the coaching staff, go from there.”

Durant has played long enough to go from being a 19-year-old rookie to having teammates like rookie Ryan Dunn, who was four years old when Durant made his NBA debut Oct. 31, 2007.

“It’s just life man, it’s just life now,” a smiling Durant said. “Just grateful to be around this long and be able to gain so much information and knowledge over two decades I’ve basically played in. I’m getting a lot of energy from younger players as well. The younger, I guess, the better for me.”



Dunn worked out with Durant this summer in California for a weekend.

“Every single rep he takes, it’s 100%,” Dunn said.