People have seen the smile. Kevin Durant’s trainer, Dash Lovell, recently shared that he could tell the Houston Rockets forward was once again enjoying the game. And it’s easy to see why: Durant is on a Rockets team brimming with young, rising talents, each just scratching the surface of their true potential.
After years of rebuilding, Houston has gathered names like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard through the draft. The result? A team fifth in the West with a 16-7 record, boasting the league’s third-best offense and fifth-best defense. They hold the second-best net rating in the NBA.
Dec 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Before the game against the Denver Nuggets, Durant sat down with Jordan Cornette to clarify the narrative about him “having fun again.”
“I’ve heard that a lot. But I’ve been having fun, man, the last 19 years doing this. It’s a dream come true. Of course, I don’t like losing… but for the most part, I’m enjoying going through the grind as an NBA player. My 19th year with a young group of guys and we have the potential to do something special. I’m just grateful to wake up every day and live this life.”
He also revealed his source of renewed energy: “To be honest, playing on five different teams… you get re-energized every single year to learn something new… It’s been fun every day getting to work and figuring out my game and seeing how I can mesh with the team.”
The most telling number might not be his scoring, but his shot attempts: Durant is averaging just 17.1 shots per game – his fewest since 2016-17 and the second-fewest of his career. This has sparked some criticism of the Rockets’ offensive hierarchy.
However, this may be the key to both his success and his joy. At 37, he no longer has to carry the entire scoring load. Instead, he’s embracing the role of the “ultimate catalyst” and leader. This sacrifice allows young talents like Sengun and Thompson to flourish, while enabling Durant to play sustainably and efficiently (with a stellar 62.1% true shooting).
Durant is finding the perfect balance in Houston:
For the Rockets: They get a top-tier scoring superstar, a locker-room leader, and a “force multiplier” for their young core. He’s the ultimate safety net in clutch moments.
For Durant: He finds a youthful, energetic environment, a diversified offensive system that preserves his career, and a chance to reshape his legacy—not as a ring-chaser, but as a culture-builder.
In the end, Kevin Durant’s joy in Houston doesn’t just come from winning. It comes from renewal, mentorship, and a sense of belonging to a special project on the rise. And when a joyful KD combines with a talented young team, it’s a nightmare scenario for the rest of the NBA.