Kevin Durant sends defiant statement, he’s doing what he wanted to do in 2012 with OKC

Kevin Durant doesnt want people to mistake him for a veteran who is close to burning out despite being 36 years old and in Year 18.

Kevin Durant is slowly creeping into LeBron James -esque longevity, averaging 27.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his age-36 season.

Despite spending 18 years in the NBA already, Durant still loves the game more than anything.

The Phoenix Suns forward is still challenging himself to be one of the best players in the NBA.

Hes going to be named an NBA All-Star in the next week and has earned the nomination on the basis of his on-court brilliance.

The Suns are struggling in the Western Conference with a 22-21 record.

Nonetheless, Durant is motivated to help them improve.

Kevin Durant is not worried about burning out as he gets older Successfully having a long NBA career is a challenge few players make it through.

While many struggle to walk away from the game, most struggle to continue putting themselves through the grind of being an NBA player.

LeBron James is exemplifying how far discipline and love for the game can take a career.

Kevin Durant isnt far behind.

The 36-year-old who was drafted in 2007 made it clear to Yahoo Sports that his career is far from over.

He refuses to be classified as a regular 36-year-old because of the work he puts into his body to keep him at the highest level.

I aint a regular 36-year-old.

I condition my mind and my body, to be a pro.

So what else am I gonna do? Burn out? How many people playing at this level at my age? So you cant compare me to anybody whos burnt out.

It could happen, but does it look like it right now? Kevin Durant doesnt look tired.

He is still motivated to lead a winning franchise provided he has enough supplemental weapons alongside him.

He has an elite co-star like Devin Booker on the Suns, but the rest of the roster isnt perfect.

Kevin Durant dealing with the challenges of being a veteran Kevin Durant is one of the most established players in the NBA.

The players entering the NBA grew up studying his moves and emulating them.

As a result, theyre also aware of how to counter those moves.

Durant knows that his style of play from 2012 wont fly in 2025, so hes adjusted his play style to a more veteran-friendly one which allows him to continue being effective.

Im saying they got 16 years of film with me, Im still playing at that level.

It may look different, yeah, Im not running down the lane, but Im still making the same shots, still getting to my spots.

Thats what you look at.

Am I still getting to where I want to get to? Back then, I was trying to play how Im playing now.

Where Im picking my spots, not rushing.

But for those teams, I had to score.

I had to have more energy.

Look at me in the second half tonight, I wasnt tripping.

Back then, I mightve tripped.

Tonight, Im more relaxed.

Phoenix Suns looking to re-tool around Durant and Booker The Suns have been one of the most active teams in the NBA trade market this season.

Theyve already made minor moves such as acquiring Nick Richards and trading their sole-remaining first-round pick from 2031 for three picks from the Utah Jazz over the next four years.

These moves are all building up toward the teams ultimate goal acquiring Jimmy Butler .

The Suns are widely presumed to be Butlers next landing spot.

The team is trying to figure out where to trade Bradley Beal , as a Butler acquisition is impossible without Beals contract being off the team.

The Miami Heat dont want Beal and the $110+ million owed to him over the next three years.

Beals no-trade clause doesnt help these matters either.

There arent many suitors for Beal, so the Suns are scouring the market and looking for potential partners.

There isnt much left to do outside completing the acquisition of Butler to be the third star around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

If the Butler pursuit fails, the Suns could use their newly acquired draft capital in deals to move Jusuf Nurkic or Grayson Allen to make the most of this topsy-turvy season.

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