Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the NBA, even after his Achilles injury he suffered two seasons ago. Durant is back to his best form, averaging 27.2 PPG for the Brooklyn Nets. Yet again, Durant is expected to be a favorite for the NBA championship with a Superteam.
Looking back at Durant’s Hall of Fame career to this point, it is clear he has played with multiple All-Star players who are destined for the Hall of Fame as well. In fact, Durant might have had the best teammates of any superstar ever. It is time to rank the top-10 teammates of the 4-time scoring champion over his career with the Thunder, Warriors, and Nets. Kevin Durant actually listed his top-five teammates over his career and left out a very surprising inclusion. Without further ado, here are the 10 greatest teammates Durant has played with.
10. Nick Collison
It may seem surprising to see Nick Collison on this list, but the forward was an integral part of the Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Collison is known as Mr. Thunder in Oklahoma City, because of his tenure with the franchise and his loyalty to the city.
Collison was not a star player by any means but his impact on the locker room cannot be denied. When Collison’s jersey was retired by the Thunder, Durant made a massive effort to join because he “just wanted to be there“. Collison clearly left an impact on Durant and that’s why he makes the list.
9. Shaun Livingston
Shaun Livingston was an interesting story in the NBA. After suffering a knee injury that made him miss the 2008 season, many thought he would never be able to play at a high level again. With the Golden State Warriors, he was arguably the most impactful player off the bench.
The role player was a key distributor and scorer during the Warriors title runs, and his size as a 6’7′ point guard allowed him to rise over defenders for mid-range jumpers. Livingston was the go-to guy off the bench during Durant’s 2 title runs in 2017 and 2018.
8. Andre Iguodala
2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala won his first NBA title with the Warriors in 2015, without Kevin Durant, but he was also a critical part of the “Death Lineups” in 2017 and 2018. Iguodala was not only an effective 2-way forward, but he was a veteran in the locker room and was the ultimate “glue guy” for the franchise.
Iguodala helped Durant win 2 straight titles with the Warriors, and his veteran leadership was something Durant never had in Oklahoma City. Iguodala only averaged a high of 7.6 PPG during his three seasons with Durant but his impact was beyond the numbers.
7. Serge Ibaka
The big man complemented Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden exceptionally well in Oklahoma City in 2012. Ibaka wasn’t required to score since the three stars were capable of doing that on their own, but he was a great defensive player and was even given the nickname of “Serge Iblaka”. Ibaka was one of the best rim protectors and shot blockers in the NBA and he also developed an automatic mid-range jump shot as well.
Ibaka couldn’t help Durant win a chip with the Thunder, but he was certainly an important teammate. Ibaka was a 3-time Blocks Champion with Oklahoma City and made the All-Defensive Team twice in his career. In terms of pure defensive intensity, Ibaka ranks among Durant’s best teammates ever.
6. Draymond Green
Draymond Green and Kevin Durant had a shocking moment on the court together, where Draymond hurt Durant’s feelings enough to force him out of town. But other than that, Green was a defensive force for the Golden State Warriors super team. Green could lock down the paint, defend the perimeter, and also spearhead the fast break after hauling rebounds.
Green was the 4th best player on the Warriors squad, and he was certainly the leader for the Warriors superteam. Draymond is also one of the best defensive players ever (according to Green he is the best ever) as a 3-time All-Star and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. Green has 3 rings and his partnership with Durant was the reason both players are multiple-time NBA champions.
5. Klay Thompson
Alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson was the best pure shooter that Kevin Durant ever played with. Durant was a third Splash Brother to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and they made 3 straight NBA titles together from 2017 until 2019. Of course, a 3-peat was out of the question as Durant and Thompson missed the 2019 Finals due to severe injuries. They still won 2 straight, and Thompson’s shooting and defense were invaluable.
Thompson is a 5-time All-Star who, after Curry, might be the best marksman ever. If Durant had Thompson in Oklahoma City, he might have been an NBA champion there. For years, Durant lacked a quality shooter who can space the floor for Durant, and he happened to find it in Golden State. Klay is easily in the top-5 on this list as one of the most unselfish and consistent stars Durant played with.
4. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was surprisingly left off Kevin Durant’s list when the forward was listing his best teammates, but quickly made amends and included Russ in his top-4. For the sake of this article, we can agree with that. Westbrook is a 9-time All-Star and the greatest stat-sheet stuffing point guard since Oscar Robertson.
Westbrook didn’t quite fit Durant’s playing style in Oklahoma City, but he was an impactful superstar during their time together. Westbrook is the greatest athlete at the point guard position ever, and he formed the best duo in the league with Kevin Durant when they played together. But there is no denying Westbrook’s killer instinct and aggressiveness rubbed off on Durant, who managed to handle the “villain” role with the Warriors. Westbrook and Durant never won an NBA title together but there is no doubt Westbrook was a force as Durant’s teammate as an individual and that is why they made an NBA Finals in 2012.
3. James Harden
The Beard played with Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City as a 6th Man and was an integral part of getting the Thunder to the Finals for the first time. Harden was undeniably key for the Thunder and he was the third-best player on the roster behind Durant and Russell Westbrook, with his best season coming in 2012 where he averaged 16.8 PPG and 4.1 RPG. Of course, Harden blossomed into a 3-time scoring champion and superstar guard with the Houston Rockets.
Harden is once again Durant’s teammate in Brooklyn, except this time he is an MVP player and the primary playmaker of the team. This season, The Beard is leading the league in assists at 10.9 APG. Harden is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and if he can help Durant win at least 2 rings, he could become Durant’s best ever teammate.
2. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving won an NBA title with LeBron James in Cleveland, and he has a chance to do the same with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn. Kyrie and Durant are close friends on and off the court, which makes him an easy inclusion at number 2. Irving is a 6-time All-Star and proved he can be a big-time player in big moments. His game-winning shot over Stephen Curry in the 2016 Finals is the type of impact Durant can expect if they make the Finals this year.
Irving has career averages of 22.8 PPG on 39.0% shooting from three, and he is on fire this season putting up 27.3 PPG. Kyrie is the best ball-handler we have ever seen, and his impact at the point guard position is almost unparalleled in the league. As great as Kyrie is and as close as they are, he is not Durant’s best teammate.
1. Stephen Curry
The greatest shooter who ever lived is Kevin Durant’s best teammate. Curry and Durant were unstoppable together with the Golden State Warriors and that is why they made 3 straight NBA Finals and won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Curry’s shooting was the biggest threat as soon as he steps past half-court alongside Durant and is also one of the most unselfish superstars in NBA history.
As the point guard who changed the game and helped Durant capture his first rings, Curry is Durant’s greatest teammate and it isn’t close. Curry is already a 7-time All-Star and averages 24.0 PPG on 42.7% form three for his career. In terms of first-ballot Hall of Fame status, Curry is the best player Durant will ever play with again.
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