In a recent interview, Basketball Hall of Famer and Spencer Haywood talked about the idea of Kevin Durant suiting up for the Seattle Supersonics again before his NBA career is all said and done:
Me and Durant are still talking about Seattle. We talked about it at the All-Star game [this year]. I can’t go any further – there’s some sneaky stuff going on that I can’t talk about because it’s private. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I see him in a Sonics uniform [again]. I was with his mother at the All-Star game – with him and his mother, everybody. I’m just saying.
Durant spent the first season of his career in Seattle. After averaging 20.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, Durant won the 2008 Rookie of the Year award. Interestingly, Durant is not the only Supersonics alum still playing in the league. Jeff Green, current Houston Rockets forward, is the only other active NBA player who played for the Supersonics. Yes, Russell Westbrook was technically drafted by Seattle. However, he never suited up for the team until they became the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haywood’s comments seem outlandish since the Supersonics have not been around in many years. That said, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been open to possibly bringing another NBA team to Seattle in an expansion. Although nothing is guaranteed, there is certainly a chance the Seattle Supersonics make a return sooner rather than later.
“Expansion is a possibility.” – Adam Silver, Commissioner of the @NBA
Here we go….
— Iconic Sonics (@Iconic_sonics) June 5, 2023
NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant Returning to…the Seattle Supersonics?
Kevin Durant Wants the Seattle Supersonics to Return
In February, Durant talked about wanting to be a part of the Supersonics franchise if they ever make a return to the NBA:
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.”
Furthermore, the current Phoenix Suns forward mentioned he would like to return to the franchise AFTER his playing career is over:
“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.”
The Seattle Supersonics drafted Kevin Durant with the No. 2 overall pick on this day in 2007 🙌pic.twitter.com/M2WJhWrZS5
— Kevin Durant Nation (@KDNationCP) June 28, 2023
The Last Word
Durant is currently 35 years old and is under contract through the 2025-26 season. Even if Seattle had an NBA franchise today, it seems highly unlikely the two-time champion would suit up for the team. At this point, Durant probably has just a few years left in his career anyway. The idea of him leaving a contender like the Suns for a completely new team does not make sense. Still, the Supersonics franchise meant a lot to Seattle and the NBA. Seeing it return at some point down the line would be amazing to see.
