Kevin Durant may not have left the Oklahoma City Thunder on the best note, but he was an MVP with the team, he even led them to the NBA Finals. They could have been a dynasty with him, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, but it never played out that way. And while KD appreciates the teams he had, he does wish he’d been able to play with a team more like the current Thunder roster.
“They’re a little bit more versatile… I think when we first got here, it was me, Jeff, Russ, the league wasn’t turned over to this fast-paced, small ball era,” Kevin Durant said. “They fit more with the NBA mold right now… They got three or four guys 6-7, 6-8 that can handle the ball. I wish I would’ve had that back when I was here. But, um, you know, they building something special.”
Asked KD if this Thunder core reminds him of that first Thunder team.
“They’re a little bit more versatile … They got three or four guys 6-7, 6-8 that can handle the ball. I wish I would’ve had that.” pic.twitter.com/IUQi79zHJ8
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) April 3, 2023
That is high praise from Kevin Durant, and he is not wrong about the way the Thunder roster has been constructed. The likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Lu Dort can all handle the ball and make things happen. The Thunder have a lot of other young, athletic players coming through as well. Adding Kevin Durant to a mix like this would certainly make them a problem for years to come.
The era of Kevin Durant’s Thunder teams was a bit different from now, and their makeup was still a little more old-school. They had enough talent to win it all but could never get it done. If things don’t work out with the Phoenix Suns, though, maybe the Thunder could use all those assets and picks to make a play for KD and bring him back. He certainly seems to like the project, even though the fans did boo him.
The Oklahoma City Thunder Have A Bright Future Ahead
Despite not being able to win a championship with the 3 MVPs they drafted, the Thunder have done an impressive job of rebuilding. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into a superstar, Josh Giddey continues to improve, and Chet Holmgren is yet to play, he could be a big game-changer. He believes that this trio can be the new version of the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden combo.
The Thunder currently find themselves in the final play-in spot in the West, a game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks despite losing to Durant’s Phoenix Suns. While the team may not be ready to take on the NBA just yet, they have more picks, assets, and a well-constructed core that will put them in contention for years to come.
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