Kevin Durant: Thunder, Warriors have to retire my jersey

Kevin Durant spent nine seasons with the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, leading the team to the 2012 NBA Finals, earning seven All-Star nods, and winning 2013-14 NBA MVP honors. Then in three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Durant won two NBA titles and earned another three All-Star nods.

In an interview with The Ringer, Durant said his legacies with both teams warrant jersey retirement ceremonies.

"I can imagine me when I'm done, and I don't think any one of these franchises would be like, 'No, K, what you did here is not a part of our history,'" Durant said. "I'm going to be a Hall of Fame when I'm done, one of the greatest to ever play. If you don't want me to be a part of your program when I'm done playing, then that's personal.

"OKC has to retire my jersey. It wouldn't even be good for the game of basketball if they didn't. The same with Golden State. ... I put in the time and respect and love for each one of these programs on and off the floor to get that type of recognition. If I don't do it, then it's personal."

Durant, 33, currently ranks 24th in NBA history in points scored, but didn't leave Oklahoma City on the best terms after exiting in free agency and joining a Warriors team that was already a perennial contender. Warriors CEO Joe Lacob announced in 2019, days after Durant announced he'd join the Nets, that no Golden State player will wear No. 35 again.