Kevin Durant has long been hailed as the most gifted scorer in NBA history. But at 37, a new question emerges: how much longer can the flame burn? The Houston Rockets’ strong start (12-4) has inadvertently overshadowed a telling reality: Durant’s individual numbers are showing the clearest signs of decline in his illustrious career.
Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) claps after a play during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center
This season’s stat sheet is startling: his lowest scoring average since his rookie year, his lowest field goal percentage since 2011, and the first time in 14 years he’s shooting below 50% from the field. Even his effective field goal percentage (eFG%) has dipped to a level not seen since that era.
Part of this stems from modern basketball philosophy. Durant’s signature weapon—the long two-pointer—is losing value in an analytics-driven era that prioritizes efficiency and three-point scoring. Pure shooters like Ray Allen often enjoyed longer careers thanks to a less physically taxing style focused on perimeter shooting.
History also offers little precedent. No star at age 37 has ever been the undisputed best player on an NBA championship team. The closest examples, like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Tim Duncan in their final title runs, had successors like Magic Johnson or Kawhi Leonard shouldering the primary scoring load.
Yet, this is precisely the blueprint the Houston Rockets are drafting. Durant’s “decline” may not be an end, but an inevitable evolution of role. With a wealth of young talent like Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson, the Rockets don’t need a 30-point-per-night Durant. They need a wise Durant, a leader, a “Kareem” to their “Magic” Sengun. By embracing this transition, Kevin Durant could not only extend his career but also find his final path to the summit—not through overwhelming individual force, but through basketball IQ and sacrifice for the collective good.