Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant told ESPN’s Nick Friedell after Wednesday’s win in Cleveland, that ‘hell yeah’ he’d like to own an NBA team when his career is done. Durant added that it would be a ‘great story’ if he was able to bring a team back to Seattle.
“Hell yeah,” Durant told ESPN following Wednesday night’s 129-105 win over theCleveland Cavaliers. “Of course I would. No matter if it’s Seattle or any team, just to help young men grow. Or help men in the next phase of their lives as basketball players. Why not? Especially somebody who’s gone through it and been through just about everything as an NBA player, outside of getting traded, I’ve been through pretty much everything. I would love to give back to an organization, the knowledge that I’ve gained. So hell yeah I’d be interested.”
KD was asked about ownership the day after the city of Seattle received an expansion team from the NHL for the 2021-22 season. Durant, of course, has a history with the Emerald City. In 2007 the two-time champion spent his rookie season in Seattle with the Supersonics before the team was sold and moved, becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Although Durant holds Seattle in high regards, he’s ‘not just waiting for that opportunity,’ according to Friedell.
“It’s just the fact that I played there and I get so much love there,” Durant said. “More than any city in the league probably. Look, it would be a great story. But it would be a lot of hard work, it won’t be easy because it’s Seattle. After the press release and the first couple of weeks it’s straight to work. I know people want to tie me into Seattle a lot, and I love being part of that, but I’m not just waiting for that opportunity. Any opportunity that comes around where I could become [part of] an ownership group or a front office or anywhere I could just help the team as of right now in my life I would go for it, but who knows what will happen at the end of my career?”
This isn’t the first time Durant has shown interest in ownership. In January, ESPN first reported KD’s ownership interest with business partner Rich Kleiman.
“Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman have taken numerous meetings with existing owners and tech CEOs to learn the lay of the land.”
Durant has already built himself quite the resume. A resume that makes him a sure lock for the NBA’s Hall of Fame when his career is over. In addition to his illustrious career, he hopes to add to his accolades by becoming the second African-American and former player to own an NBA team behind Michael Jordan.
