Kevin Durant is a nomad. That’s the label he's stuck with, right? Whether you love the way he plays or can't stand his Twitter burner accounts, you have to admit the man moves around. But if you actually look at the teams Kevin Durant played for over the last two decades, it isn't just a list of jersey swaps. It’s a map of how the modern NBA works—or doesn't work.
He’s 37 now. He’s playing in Houston. Yeah, the Rockets. If you missed that trade in mid-2025, don't worry, half the league is still trying to figure out how seven teams got involved in that deal. People act like he’s just ring-chasing, but it’s deeper. KD is a basketball purist who happens to have the attention span of a guy who just wants to find the perfect pickup game.
The Ghost of Seattle and the OKC Boom
Most younger fans forget he started in green and gold. He was a skinny kid from Texas drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007. He won Rookie of the Year there. Then, poof. The team moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.
OKC was lightning in a bottle. You had KD, a young Russell Westbrook, and James Harden coming off the bench. They were the "it" team. They made the Finals in 2012, lost to LeBron’s Heat, and everyone assumed they’d be back ten more times.
They weren't.
Injuries poked holes in their dreams. Serge Ibaka’s knees, Russ’s meniscus—it was always something. By 2016, after blowing that 3-1 lead to the Warriors, Durant was done. He later said he was tired of being the only guy who could consistently make a jump shot in that system. He wanted "skill," not just "athleticism."
The Golden State "Villain" Era
When people talk about teams Kevin Durant played for, the Golden State Warriors are the elephant in the room. He joined a 73-win team. Honestly, it was the most hated move in sports history.
But man, was it beautiful basketball.
- 2017: NBA Champion & Finals MVP
- 2018: NBA Champion & Finals MVP
- The Vibe: Pure dominance.
He got what he wanted: a system where the ball moved and everyone could shoot. But he never quite felt like "one of them." He wasn't Steph, Klay, or Draymond. He was the mercenary. The argument with Draymond Green on the sidelines in 2018 was basically the beginning of the end. He realized he could win all the rings in the world there, and people would still put an asterisk next to his name.
The Brooklyn Experiment (and Why it Failed)
The move to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 was supposed to be his "own" thing. He teamed up with Kyrie Irving. Later, they traded the farm for James Harden. On paper? Unbeatable. In reality? A disaster.
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Between injuries, Kyrie’s off-court sagas, and the New York media circus, that "Big Three" played hardly any games together. KD played out of his mind, nearly beating the Bucks in 2021 by himself (his toe was on the line, remember?), but the culture was a mess. He eventually asked out. Twice.
The Desert Sun and the Bayou Launch
Phoenix felt like a safe bet in 2023. Devin Booker is a killer, and the Suns were desperate. But the "new owner energy" of Mat Ishbia led to a roster that was top-heavy and thin. They got swept by Minnesota in 2024. They missed the playoffs in 2025.
It was a short stay.
Now, we’re looking at the Houston Rockets era. In June 2025, Houston sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a haul of picks to the Suns to get Durant. It was a shocker. Most people thought he’d go back to OKC or maybe even the Wizards for a homecoming. Instead, he chose Ime Udoka’s Rockets.
Why? Because they’re young, they defend, and they have the flexibility he craves. He signed a two-year, $90 million extension in October 2025 that basically ensures he finishes his career in H-Town. He even took about $30 million less than the max to help the team keep guys like Tari Eason.
What This Means for His Legacy
KD has played for five franchises now:
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- Sonics/Thunder (The Rise)
- Warriors (The Peak)
- Nets (The Drama)
- Suns (The Miss)
- Rockets (The Final Act)
He’s currently 8th on the all-time scoring list. He’ll likely pass Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki this season. If he stays healthy, Michael Jordan is next.
The "nomad" tag will always be there. But look at the numbers. He averages nearly 27 points per game everywhere he goes. He doesn't need a system; he is the system. Whether you think he ruined the league or saved it, you can't argue with the fact that every single one of the teams Kevin Durant played for became an immediate title contender the second he stepped off the plane.
If you’re tracking his final seasons, watch the Rockets' defensive ratings. Durant’s impact there isn't just his scoring—it’s his length as a rim protector and his gravity that opens up lanes for Amen Thompson. We're watching the sunset of a legend who finally seems okay with just being a "basketball player" rather than a "franchise savior."
Keep an eye on the 2026 trade deadline. While KD is locked in, the Rockets have the assets to pull one more big move to pair another star with him for a final run at a ring. You should check the updated Western Conference standings weekly; the parity is wild this year, and one Durant hot streak could change the entire playoff bracket.