As easy as the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant make it look, competing at an elite level in your late 30s in the NBA is difficult. Between preparing your body for the grind of a long and grueling regular season and dealing with the responsibilities and pressures of being a bonafide superstar in the league, it's no surprise that some players start to think about retirement as they enter their twilight years.
One such player is Kevin Durant, who recently admitted that he has started contemplating retirement as he prepares for his 16th season in the NBA. In an interview with TV One, Durant opened up about the challenges of aging in a league increasingly dominated by young talent.
Father Time may be catching up
KD is no longer spring chicken but far from being chopped liver. In fact, he's coming off another spectacular stint with Team USA where he won his fourth Olympic gold medal. After a brief rest, the 14-time All-Star will soon return on the horse to prepare for his 17th season in the league.
With his team, the Phoenix Suns , raring to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit in last season's playoffs, KD will again carry the brunt of the load, alongside fellow All-Stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. As the league welcomes a new batch of players led by top picks Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr and the continued rise of surefire stars Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the competition is expected to be more challenging than ever.
Although he knows he can still hang with these young guns, KD shared that he has given some thought to hanging his sneakers up for good.
"As I get older in the league and the league is getting younger, I tend to think about retirement more," the 2014 league MVP said .
While there's no doubt that Durant still has plenty of gas left in the tank, even hinting that he may consider playing for a fifth Olympic gold medal in the 2028 Summer Games, which will be held in Los Angeles, the amount of time and dedication he's given to the game can take its toll on the mind and body.
"Retirement creeps in my mind for sure. I honestly don't know what I'll do. I have a lot of different interests. I definitely want to stay around the game," KD revealed.
A hooper at heart
Durant, an 11-time All-NBA team member, is a hooper at heart; he doesn't care much about the fame and publicity that comes with being a superstar. His love for the game is what drives him, and it's evident in his dedication and hard work on the court.
But as he gets older, Durant understands that he may have to start thinking about life after basketball. He has shown interest in business ventures, such as investing in startups and founding his own company, 35V. At the same time, the former Texas Longhorn revealed that he wants to stay involved with the game in some way, shape, or form.
"That's gonna be a huge, huge transition. I've been at this since I was 8. It's gonna be hopefully 30 years of me doing this where every day was centered around the game of basketball. It hasn't been no other lifestyle but this," KD shared.
Durant, a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, has plenty of options after he decides to walk away from the game. Whether it's coaching, broadcasting, or front-office work, his knowledge and experience in the league would make him a valuable asset. But for now, KD's focus remains on performing at the highest level on the hardcourt and leading the Suns to the promised land.
Related: "I sacrificed my suicide" - Wanda Durant admits she nearly took her own life after giving birth to KD
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