Rockets’ Kevin Durant on NBA future: Creeping closer to the end

Rockets star Kevin Durant knows the end of his NBA career is closer than it once felt.

He’s not there yet. But he can see it.

Durant, who entered the league in 2007 and remains one of the game’s most gifted scorers, spoke candidly about his future during an appearance on The Boardroom podcast. While still producing at a high level, he acknowledged the reality that comes for everyone.

“There’s going to come a time where it’s not my place, and we’re creeping closer to that,” Durant said. “This is what I’ve done my whole life. To know there’s only a handful of years left, you’ve got to start preparing for that next phase.”

Durant indicated he’s already come to terms with what that next phase may look like.

“For me, I’ve accepted that I’ll never be able to fill that space,” he said. “It’s the small things — the camaraderie, the brotherhood, the people I’ve met, the fans around the world. That’s the coolest part. I can still hoop, still be in the gym and have that routine when I’m done playing.”

Now 35, Durant remains one of the NBA’s most reliable scorers and continues to lead the way for Houston.

The clock may be ticking, as it always does. But for now, he’s still very much in control of the moment.