Kevin Durant’s Contract Breakdown: $500 Million And Still Counting

Coming out of high school, Durant was a highly recruited prospect that was seen as one of the top players in the country. He probably could have jumped to the professional level if there was not a rule in place that forced him to attend college. After a stellar career at Texas, which included becoming the first freshman to be named Naismith College Player of the Year.

As a professional, Durant has won two championships, two Finals MVP Awards, one league MVP, and four scoring titles. Durant has made ten All-NBA appearances as well and was named to the 75th Anniversary Team. He is going to go down as one of the best scorers in NBA history. When looking at the money given to him, does it match the production? We take a look at Durant’s contract breakdown right now.

This is the contract breakdown for Durant’s NBA Career.

2007-08 NBA Season – $4,171,200 Salary

Stats: 20.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The Portland Trail Blazers were awarded the No. 1 overall pick. The team was deciding between Ohio State’s Greg Oden and Texas’ Kevin Durant. Ultimately, the Trail Blazers picked Oden, which is regarded as one of the biggest draft busts ever. The Seattle SuperSonics were able to corral Durant with the No. 2 overall pick.

Durant played in his first NBA game at 19 years old, and he recorded 18 points and five rebounds in his debut. He made his first game-winning shot against the Hawks in the middle of November. By the end of the year, he joined the likes of Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as the only teenagers to average at least 20.0 points per game for a season. Naturally, Durant was not a top salary in the league, but the top-5 salaries for this season included Kevin Garnett, Michael Finley, Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, and Jason Kidd.

2008-09 NBA Season – $4,484,040 Salary

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG

After one season in Seattle, the team relocated to Oklahoma City. Having Durant on the team helped with the move because he was starting to look like a budding superstar. Durant was also paired alongside 2008 draft pick Russell Westbrook. The two became an immediate dynamic duo.

At All-Star Weekend, Durant set a Rookie Challenge record with 46 points. By the end of the year, he raised his scoring average by five points and was a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. He finished third in the voting. Durant was a 25-point scorer with a low salary. The top five highest-paid players in the league at this time were Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, with salaries over $21 million.

2009-10 NBA Season – $4,796,880 Salary

Stats: 30.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG

It would be the first All-Star appearance for Durant. The Thunder won 27 more games than the previous year, thanks to Durant’s play. That included a postseason experience as well. Durant scored over 30 points per game for the first time in his career. It was only his third season in the league.

In his playoff debut, Durant scored 24 points in a loss to the Lakers. The Thunder lost in the first round in six games. However, the Thunder was seen as a contender in the league. Durant won the scoring title and was nowhere near the highest-paid player. Those were Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal, with salaries over $20 million.

2010-11 NBA Season – $6,053,663 Salary

Stats: 27.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Durant followed his successful season with a five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth $86 million. For the second year in a row, he won the scoring title. With Durant leading the way, the Thunder won 55 games and was the No. 4 seed in the conference.

In the playoffs, the Thunder defeated the Nuggets and Grizzlies. That set up a matchup in the Conference Finals with the Mavericks; however, the team was defeated in five games by the eventual NBA champions. Among the top five players paid this season were Kobe Bryant, Rashard Lewis, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Michael Redd, with salaries over $18 million.

2011-12 NBA Season – $12,480,948 Salary

Stats: 28.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.2 BPG

The lockout-shortened season did not stop Durant from playing at a high level. He recorded his first career 50-point game during the season. He also scored 36 points at the All-Star Game to earn the ASG MVP Award. He would also earn his third straight scoring title.

With his play, the Thunder won 47 games and was the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The Thunder rode their way to the NBA Finals before losing to the Heat in six games. Durant was 21st in salary this season. The top five players in salary were Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Rashard Lewis, with salaries over $21 million.

2012-13 NBA Season – $16,669,629 Salary

Stats: 28.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Durant failed to defend his scoring title but did make history. He made the 50-40-90 Club by shooting 51.0% from the field, 41.6% from three-point range, and 90.5% from the free-throw line. The Thunder finished the season with 60 wins and the No. 1 seed in the West.

The playoffs featured a major upset with the Grizzlies. The team lost Westbrook to a torn meniscus, and the Grizzlies upset the Thunder to make the Conference Finals. Durant averaged 30.8 points per game in the playoffs. Durant rose through the salary standings with the 12th-highest salary. Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Dirk Nowitzki, Gilbert Arenas, and Amare Stoudemire had salaries over $19.9 million to round out the top five.

2013-14 NBA Season – $17,832,627 Salary

Stats: 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG

The best player in the league was not the highest paid. Durant averaged 35.9 points per game during a 12-game stretch at one point. That included a new career high in points with 54 against the Warriors. He broke Michael Jordan’s record of consecutive games of 25 points or more at 41. The Thunder won 59 games, and Durant was named the MVP.

The playoffs featured the Thunder making a run to the Conference Finals. The eventual champion Spurs eliminated the Spurs in six games. Durant’s salary was 11th this season. The top five players were Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Gilbert Arenas, Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony, with salaries over $21 million.

2014-15 NBA Season – $18,995,624 Salary

Stats: 25.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4. 1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Before the season started, Durant was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his right foot. That cost Durant 17 games. Then he injured his right ankle and missed a few weeks due to recovery. He sprained his toe in January and then had a minor procedure in February to help with the discomfort in his right foot. In 27 games, Durant averaged the stat line above.

Durant’s salary finally made the top 10. His salary ranked 9th overall. Kobe Bryant, Joe Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Dwight Howard rounded out the top five with salaries over $21 million.

2015-16 NBA Season – $20,158,622 Salary

Stats: 28.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.2 BPG

Durant and Westbrook were historic during this season. In a win over the Magic, both players became the first duo since 1996 to each have 40 points in a game. Durant led the Thunder to 55 wins and the No. 3 seed in the West.

In the playoffs, the team defeated the Mavericks and Suns to set up a series with the 73-win Warriors. The Thunder held a 3-1 lead over the Warriors but lost three straight games to fall into the Conference Finals. Durant provided 27 points in Game 7, which would be his final game with OKC. Durant’s salary was 7th in the league, with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and Joe Johnson all having higher salaries with at least $22 million earned.

2016-17 NBA Season – $26,540,100 Salary

Stats: 25.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG

In a controversial move, Durant announced his intention to sign with the Warriors. The move was viewed negatively because the Warriors were coming off of a season where they set the league record for wins with 73. With a core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant, and Draymond Green, the Warriors rose to win an NBA championship.

Durant dealt with some minor injuries during the season. That included a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise which forced him to miss the final 19 games of the season. However, the Warriors won 67 games, and Durant returned for the playoffs. The team became the first team in NBA history to sweep the first three rounds (12-0). In the Finals, Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists to win the Finals MVP Award. Durant’ was tied with DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley Jr., James Harden, and Al Horford for the second-highest scorer. The only player that made more was LeBron James.

2017-18 NBA Season – $25,000,000 Salary

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.8 BPG

After the Finals, Durant declined his player’s option and resigned with the Warriors to take less money. That helped the team add free agents to help the Warriors repeat. Durant missed a few games due to a fractured rib, but the Warriors won 58 games, while Durant set a new career high in blocks.

The Warriors marched back to the NBA Finals. It was the fourth time the team met the Cavaliers in the Finals, but it was the second time Durant torched Cleveland to win his second Finals MVP Award. The Warriors won the series in a four-game sweep, and Durant averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in those four games. With the salary reduction, Durant’s salary was 16th in the league. The top five players were Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward, and Blake Griffin, with salaries over $29 million.

2018-19 NBA Season – $30,000,000 Salary

Stats: 26.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Durant declined his player’s option again to resign with the Warriors. The season sparked an idea that Durant would leave after the year was over due to a conflict with teammates, specifically an aired argument with Draymond Green. With that said, Durant carried the Warriors while Curry and Green missed games in November and the team made the NBA Finals for the fifth year in a row.

Durant missed nine games in the playoffs due to a strained calf but returned for action in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury that forced him out of the series. The Warriors lost to the Raptors in six games. Durant was the 11th highest-paid player this season. The top five were Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Kyle Lowry, with salaries over $32 million.

2019-20 NBA Season – $38,199,000 Salary

Stats: None

Durant announced his intentions to sign with the Nets in the offseason. Durant did not make an appearance during this season as he was recovering from his Achilles injury. He could have returned but chose to sit out and let the injury fully heal since the Nets were not viewed as a championship contender.

The season also featured highs and lows due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Durant was the seventh highest-paid player this season. Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, James Harden, and LeBron James were ahead of Durant.

2020-21 NBA Season – $38,771,513 Salary

Stats: 26.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Durant returned to the court, and the Nets made one of the better-constructed teams. The team had Durant and Kyrie Irving and made a trade for James Harden. Durant was playing like an MVP this season but suffered a hamstring injury that forced him out for 23 games.

In the playoffs, the Nets took the eventual NBA champion Bucks to seven games in the second round. Game 7 featured an overtime wonder where Durant scored 48 points in the loss. Durant owned the sixth-highest salary this season. Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, John Wall, and James Harden beat out Durant in higher salaries with deals over $40 million.

2021-22 NBA Season – $42,018,900 Salary

Stats: 29.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Last year, Durant signed a four-year, $198 million extension with the Nets. The Nets were seen as championship contenders with Durant, Irving, and Harden. However, the season was a major disappointment. Irving had off-the-court issues, and the team eventually traded Harden for Ben Simmons. The Nets fell to the No. 7 seed and were eliminated in the first round.

Durant struggled to stay on the court as well, playing in just 55 games. He was contending for the scoring title at one point but did not qualify. Durant had the fifth-highest salary this season, with Stephen Curry, James Harden, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook making more with salaries over $44 million.

2022-23 NBA Season – $42,969,591 Salary

Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.6 BPG

Before the season began, Durant was reported for requesting a trade. After a month on the market, he rescinded his trade request after a meeting with the management. Durant is having a great start to the season. The Nets have been one of the better teams in the league as of late.

If the Nets continue to play like this, Durant could find his way back into the MVP conversation. Durant owns a top-five salary in the league. The only players making more than him this season are Stephen Curry, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James.

Future Contracts

2023-24 NBA Season – $46,407,433

2024-25 NBA Season – $49,856,021

2025-26 NBA Season – $53,282,608

Durant has three more years on his deal with the Nets. The next season, Durant will have the second-highest salary in the league, with Curry being the only player ahead of him. In 2024-25, Curry will also beat out Durant, while the 2025-26 season has both Curry and Damian Lillard ahead of Durant. All of this could change based on future contracts.

Career Earnings – $498,688,653

When breaking down his earnings, this is the outlook for Durant. In one season with the SuperSonics, Durant made $4.1 million. Then, the team transitioned to Oklahoma City, where he made $101,472,033 in eight seasons with the Thunder. In three seasons with the Warriors, Durant made $81,540,100. With the Nets, Durant has made $158,808,258 in four seasons. Assuming that he stays with the Nets, he could make another $150 million.

When looking at his resume, Durant will go down as one of the greatest players ever. When you have a player like this on your team, you pay top dollar to keep him around. Durant remains a top scorer in this league and could lead the Nets to a championship this season. If that happens, the investment will have been worth it.

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