Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant was drafted in 2007 by what feels like a relic from an era long removed from the NBA: the Seattle SuperSonics. The 14-time All-Star spent his rookie season in Seattle before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, but he still remembers that season with great joy—so much so that he’d consider returning to the Pacific Northwest and joining a new SuperSonics franchise should Seattle receive an expansion team.
While talking to Boardroom, Durant was asked if he’d like to be a part of a rebooted SuperSonics franchise if the opportunity became available to him.
“Without a doubt, without a doubt” Durant answered. “I feel like that franchise, for one, is a iconic brand within the NBA. I feel like that market is a basketball market that needs the influence of an NBA team in that city.”
Does Kevin Durant want to be part of the Sonics when they return?! 👀@KDTrey5 @boardroom
— Iconic Sonics (@Iconic_sonics) February 21, 2024
pic.twitter.com/0AjzSxchq6
Durant went on to explain that he thinks having a franchise in Seattle would inspire more kids in that market to pursue playing basketball. There have been frequent NBA expansion rumblings in recent years, and cities such as Las Vegas and Seattle have been considered by NBA commissioner Adam Silver—but there’s no official plan in sight.
Durant is 35 years old and likely near the end of his legendary career, and it sounds as if he sees himself with the SuperSonics in a capacity that’s not on the court.
“I believe it will be back,” Durant said of NBA basketball in Seattle. “I believe it will be part of expansion in the league and to help run the team and help guide the team as they come back into the league. I would absolutely love that. When I retire, obviously, that’s a dream come true.”
