Kevin Durant on Authenticity, the NBA Platform, adn Future Aspirations
NBA superstar kevin durant emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself, both on and off the court, during a conversation wiht CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the CNBC Sport and Boardroom’s game Plan conference on Tuesday.
“That’s when you be who you are,” Durant stated. “Don’t try to change your personality. Don’t try too hard. Just be exactly who you are, showcase your game, and then people are going to gravitate towards you.”
Durant, a two-time NBA champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist widely considered one of the league’s all-time leading scorers, believes focusing on his game was paramount to his success. He explained, “I was catering to the basketball community, and that is just going out there and playing my game. I just felt like my game speaks for itself.” He highlighted the reach of the NBA – “the second-most watched sport in the world, full of billions of people” – as providing a sufficient platform for his talent to shine.
This confidence in his abilities, durant added, is “probably why I was so confident in moving around the league, so much that I feel like I can do this anywhere.” He has played in six different cities throughout his career, including Seattle (later relocating to Oklahoma City) and most recently, Houston.
Rich kleiman, Durant’s business partner, elaborated on their decision-making process regarding team moves, stating that business opportunities weren’t the primary driver. “We weren’t sitting there in June going what business is there for us in Houston, as opposed to what business there would be for us in Miami,” Kleiman explained. Instead, they prioritize building lasting relationships, citing existing connections with owners like Tilman and Patrick Fertitta (houston Rockets), Joe Tsai (Brooklyn Nets), and Joe Lacob (Golden State Warriors).
Kleiman further noted that Durant’s approach of letting his performance speak for itself has translated into the business world. “I think what Kevin has been able to do is show that there’s a different blueprint you can take, that less can be more, and that your game can speak for itself,” he said.
Looking ahead, Durant expressed interest in competing in the 2028 Olympics, but only if he can contribute meaningfully. He stated he doesn’t want to simply “come sit on the end of the bench and get you a fifth [gold medal].”
Durant also indicated a desire to eventually become an NBA team owner, acknowledging the challenges posed by rising valuations. He already holds ownership stakes in MLS’s Philadelphia union and a professional pickleball team. kleiman believes Durant’s relationship-building skills and understanding of brand growth would be invaluable in an ownership role,particularly as team ownership structures become more diverse and require strategic expertise to generate revenue.