Kevin Durant Played For What Teams Explained (Simply)

Kevin Durant Played For What Teams Explained (Simply)

Honestly, trying to keep track of Kevin Durant’s jersey collection is a full-time job. It’s wild. One minute he’s the hero of the high plains in Oklahoma, and the next, he’s the most debated man in the Bay Area. If you’re asking kevin durant played for what teams, you aren’t just looking for a list. You’re looking for the map of a career that basically redefined how NBA superstars move around.

He’s played for five different NBA franchises as of early 2026. Six, if you’re a stickler about the whole Seattle-to-OKC move.

Most people remember the big ones. The Warriors rings. The OKC heartbreak. But the journey from a skinny kid at Texas to a veteran leader in Houston is a lot more than just a change of scenery. It's about a guy who just wants to hoop, even if that means moving boxes every few years.

The Sonics and the Birth of the Thunder (2007–2016)

KD started in Seattle. It feels like a lifetime ago. The SuperSonics took him second overall in 2007, and for one solitary year, he was the King of KeyArena. He was the Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.3 points per game while looking like a literal blade of grass with a jump shot. Then, the team packed up for Oklahoma City.

📖 Related: Top QBs in NFL: What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings

That’s where the "Easy Money Sniper" truly became a legend.

For nearly a decade, Durant and Russell Westbrook were the most terrifying duo in the league. They were young, loud, and impossibly athletic. In 2012, they even dragged the Thunder to the NBA Finals against LeBron’s Heat. They lost, but we all thought they’d be back ten more times.

It never happened again.

Injuries and some truly brutal playoff collapses—none worse than the 3-1 lead they blew to the Warriors in 2016—set the stage for the most famous "I'm out" in sports history. Durant left OKC as the 2014 MVP and a four-time scoring champ, but he left without the one thing he wanted most.

Golden State Warriors: The Villain Era (2016–2019)

You remember the "My Next Chapter" post on The Players' Tribune. It broke the internet. Joining a 73-win Warriors team that just beat you? People were livid.

But man, was the basketball beautiful.

He didn't just fit in; he made them invincible. Durant won two championships in three years. He took home two Finals MVPs. He proved he could win at the highest level, even if the "bus rider" jokes followed him everywhere.

The end was ugly, though. A ruptured Achilles in the 2019 Finals against Toronto felt like the closing of a door. He gave everything he had, literally, and then he decided it was time to build something of his own.

The Brooklyn Experiment and the Phoenix Pivot (2019–2025)

Brooklyn was supposed to be the "clean" win. KD and Kyrie Irving (and eventually James Harden) forming a superteam in the borough.

✨ Don't miss: Did The Jake Paul Fight Happen? What Really Went Down

It was a mess.

Between injuries and off-court drama, the "Scary Hours" Nets only won one playoff series together. Think about that. All that talent, and it barely made a dent. By early 2023, Durant had seen enough. He wanted Phoenix.

In Phoenix, he joined Devin Booker to try and bring the Suns their first title. He was still incredible—shooting 50/40/90 splits at age 35—but the depth just wasn't there. After a disappointing 2024-25 season where the Suns missed the playoffs entirely, the rumors started swirling again.

The Current Chapter: Houston Rockets (2025–Present)

In July 2025, the blockbuster finally happened. Phoenix traded Durant to the Houston Rockets in a deal that felt like it shifted the entire balance of the Western Conference.

Why Houston? It’s kinda full circle.

📖 Related: Hockey Trade Rumors Pittsburgh Penguins: Why the Roster Freeze Changes Everything

He played his college ball at the University of Texas, and now he’s back in the Lone Star State. He’s the veteran presence for a young core featuring Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. As of January 2026, he’s leading the Rockets in scoring and showing the world that even at 37, he’s still one of the three best pure scorers on the planet. He even recently signed a two-year, $90 million extension to stay in Houston through 2027.

Every Team Kevin Durant Has Called Home

If you need a quick cheat sheet for the kevin durant played for what teams question, here it is:

  • Seattle SuperSonics (2007-2008): The rookie year.
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-2016): The MVP years and the 2012 Finals run.
  • Golden State Warriors (2016-2019): Two rings and two Finals MVPs.
  • Brooklyn Nets (2019-2023): The injury recovery and the "Big Three" era.
  • Phoenix Suns (2023-2025): The desert stint with Devin Booker.
  • Houston Rockets (2025-Present): The current Texas homecoming.

Why Does This Matter for His Legacy?

Basketball fans love to argue. They'll tell you his moves make his rings "weak" or that he’s a "mercenary." Honestly? That’s sort of missing the point.

Durant is the ultimate basketball purist. He doesn't care about the branding as much as he cares about the fit on the floor. He goes where the hoops are good. Whether he's in a Sonics jersey or a Rockets kit, the production doesn't change.

He’s still the guy who can pull up from 30 feet and make it look like a layup. He’s still the guy who will talk trash to a fan and then drop 40 on their favorite team. The jerseys change, but the game stays the same.

If you’re trying to keep up with his career stats or trade history, keep an eye on the Rockets' box scores this season. He's currently chasing the all-time scoring record, and at his current pace in Houston, he might just catch Kareem and LeBron before he finally hangs them up.

Actionable Insights for Fans:

  • Watch the Rockets: If you haven't seen KD in the Houston system, you're missing out. The spacing with Sengun is actually fascinating to watch.
  • Track the Scoring Title: Check the NBA all-time scoring leaders weekly. Durant is moving up the list fast.
  • Check the Restaurant Scene: If you're in Austin this Spring, KD is actually opening a restaurant called "Austin Sports Club." It's his first big venture in the area since his college days.