NBA Rumors: Will Kevin Durant retire with the Seattle SuperSonics?

The future of Kevin Durant is once again at the center of rumors, this time due to the possible expansion of the NBA and the return of a team to Seattle. However, all signs indicate that the forward has no intention of ending his career in the city where it began, even if the league confirms the creation of a new franchise in the coming years. The competition is approaching a new expansion process, and according to various reports, the cities with the most options to receive teams are Seattle and Las Vegas.

The board of governors is expected to soon vote on an initial proposal, with Seattle being one of the most likely destinations. The city previously had the Seattle SuperSonics until 2008, when the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The possible return of the team has reignited speculation about Durant, who was drafted by the SuperSonics in 2007 and made his NBA debut there.

Although the expansion could coincide with the end of his career, the most recent reports suggest that this outcome is not the most likely. According to Michael Lee from The Ringer, Durant has never shown much interest in returning to teams he previously played for, even when he had the chance.

In the past, he rejected approaches from the Washington Wizards, his hometown team, as the 2016 free agency approached, and also refused to accept a trade that would have taken him back to the Golden State Warriors last season. Although he now plays for the Houston Rockets, allowing him to return to Texas where he shone in college, his career decisions have been more about competitiveness than nostalgia.

Focus on Houston and the Playoffs

At 37 years old, Durant continues to perform at an elite level in his 17th NBA season. In 64 games, he is averaging 25.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, shooting 51.4% from the field, 40.2% from three-point range, and 88.6% from the free-throw line, playing over 36 minutes per game.

Houston, with a record of 41-26, holds the fourth position in the West and is fighting to maintain its position in the upper conference. The team recently fell 100-92 to the Los Angeles Lakers and will face them again in the next game of their current five-game home series.

The idea of finishing his career in Seattle has a clear sentimental aspect, but Durant's trajectory shows that he usually prioritizes the sports fit and the opportunity to compete for a championship. For now, his focus remains on the current season with Houston, while the NBA progresses towards a possible return to Seattle that, at least for now, does not seem destined to be the final chapter of his career.