Kevin Durant has never been one for timelines. Not for legacy debates or career milestones, and certainly not for retirement. At 37, while most players are easing toward their farewell tours, Durant is still in the gym three times a day, and according to his longtime business partner and agent Rich Kleiman, retirement is not exactly part of the conversation. That’s straight from the man who talks to KD every day.

On SiriusXM NBA Radio, Kleiman revealed, “In those three times a day that we talk, probably for a grand total of six minutes… never do we talk about when is the end, or when do you think you’ll hang it up?” The Rockets forward, who turned 37 this September, is entering his 18th NBA season, and yet, his production looks nothing like a player on the verge of decline.

Last season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52% shooting. He played 62 games, which, by the way, is a drop from the 75 he logged the year before, which was his highest total since 2019, when he appeared in 78. 

Kleiman pointed to what’s become the modern reality, as he said, “That age where you think that players should be done has grown… you look at LeBron, clearly, but also James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Steph, KD—these guys are still elite.”

The conversation has now turned to durability instead of just mere stars, in an era where stars have redefined longevity. Kleiman compared Durant’s evolution to what Novak Djokovic has done in tennis, which is a nod to athletes rewriting the rules on prime years. And in KD’s case?

It isn’t just about staying on the court, but about still being that IT guy of basketball when he does, as we have seen him dominate on the court over the years.

“He loves going to the gym, loves the journey,” Kleiman said. “He’ll continue to play as long as he loves it and as long as he’s healthy… he’s still a ways from that (retirement). 37 now is like 32 back in the day.”

That mindset explains a lot about how Durant ended up in Houston this offseason. 

After Phoenix made it clear he was on the trade market, KD didn’t chase comfort, but he chased opportunity. A record-breaking seven-team trade sent him to the Rockets, after a long-standing KD-to-Spurs stance, who now boast a fascinating blend of youth and championship experience.

How being 37 is the new 32 for Kevin Durant heading into the 2025-26 season with Houston

Durant’s fit alongside Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and a defensive-minded coach in Ime Udoka screams experiment, but the kind with sky-high potential. Former Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell called the move a step toward contention, just not yet a championship: “We gotta get a couple more pieces, but we’re knockin’ on the door. We’re close, so I’m looking forward to it. We’re REAL close,” he said. And he’s not wrong.

The Rockets arguably haven’t had a closer since James Harden, and now they have one of the greatest bucket-getters of all time. 

And to Durant’s credit, his profile has only matured. He ranked in the 96th percentile in midrange efficiency last season, his shot diet a masterclass in economy with no wasted motion and certainly no mercy. But what’s different now is that KD isn’t just the scorer.

He’s the teacher. Every huddle carries weight. Off the court, though, the vibes remain quintessential Durant, being very much blunt and self-aware.

When a fan suggested that Phoenix had won the trade, Durant replied, “No expectations = better vibes. Enjoy the season brother.” It was peak KD in a single tweet, to say the least. Inside Houston, though, the mood is anything but low-expectation.

Durant’s arrival changes the calculus entirely. For a young team that finished just shy of the play-in last season, having Durant means structure and instant gravity on the floor. For Udoka, it’s a chance to run a system that finally balances veteran IQ with youthful energy. And for Durant?

It’s another test of staying power, one that could add another layer to his Hall of Fame resume. So what does the window look like from here? If Kleiman’s words are any indication, KD’s not thinking beyond that because, frankly, he doesn’t need to.

Every season is its own challenge, every locker room its own ecosystem. And hey, fairly enough, Houston didn’t trade for a farewell tour. They traded for a contender. And Durant’s staying power?

It’s his most underrated skill. Longevity is maintained and protected. KD’s summer work and his consistent conditioning are the reasons the end hasn’t even entered the chat. Rich Kleiman summed it up perfectly that Durant’s still got miles left.

The Rockets just need to make sure they give him the kind of road worth traveling. Because for Kevin Durant, it’s never been about how long the career lasts, but about how long the fire does.