The nine-year NBA veteran Mario Chalmers reveals his thoughts on the possibility that Kevin Durant might return to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Before 2016, Kevin Durant was one of the NBA’s most beloved superstars. After all, he was the homemade superstar of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
During his nine years of stint at Thunder, Durant earned the sole NBA MVP of his career, bringing his team to one NBA Finals.
However, KD became the villain for OKC fans and the rest of the NBA when he joined the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016.
Durant’s Phoenix Suns missed the 2025 playoffs, but the Thunder is heading for its first NBA Finals since 2012.
Obviously, the Thunder currently has one of the best rosters in the league. Whether they win or lose the 2025 NBA Championship, Durant’s return to the team will be a major point in debate this offseason.
With that in mind, former NBA player Mario Chalmers recently shared two cents on the Thunder-friendly KD this offseason.
“I’m not going to lie. If I’m KD I’ll go back to OKC. I see Russ (Russell Westbrook) coming back. If I’m KD I’ll look into OKC situation,” Chalmers said through the NightCap Podcast.
The prospect of Russell Westbrook returning to OKC could play a major role in Durant’s decision. After all, the two stars have not fallen into the best conditions since Durant moved to GSW in 2016.
Putting Westbrook’s return aside, what if Durant is seriously considering a move back to OKC? Well, in that case, Chalmers shared the role he could play.
“If I’m (Sam) Presty, I don’t think I’ll take him, but if I’m KD, I can go there and become a spot-up shooter and have Shy do his thing,” Chalmers said.
Given that the Thunder already has MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the roster, it makes sense for GM Sam Presti to oppose the Durant move.
But in that case, where can KD realistically go if he actually leaves the Sun?
He added that he was asked to predict, “KD, I think he’ll go to Houston.”