“I think Kevin Durant is the best player to ever suit up for the United States in Olympic competition,” said Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary former U.S. Olympic coach. It’s a sentiment echoed across the basketball world, and one that makes Durant’s future with Team USA a topic of constant intrigue. Managing Director Grant Hill even playfully nudged the conversation forward after the 2024 Paris Games, telling KD to “make sure you guys answer your phone in four years.”

Durant himself hasn’t shied away from the idea. After helping Team USA secure gold in Paris, he made it clear: “I’m here”—a simple but powerful declaration of intent for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Now with the Houston Rockets, the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men’s Olympic history has doubled down, at the prospect of donning the national team jersey once again, this time on home soil.

Speaking about his plans on CNBC and Boardroom’s Game in Los Angeles, Durant simply said, “Yeah, if I’m still me.” Let’s not forget, KD will be nearly 40 years old when the Los Angeles Games are happening. His only condition is, “I don’t want the gift of the veteran that comes to the end of the bench and gets a fit.” Not for random minutes, but the selection should be done if the 18-year NBA veteran can do the job on the hardwood. After all, he has already achieved a lot on the Olympic stage.

Four Olympic gold medals, which made him the first male athlete to win four Olympic gold medals in a team sport. If the medals weren’t enough to cement him as the greatest Team USA player of all time, he also became the program’s all-time leading scorer. Despite his achievements, the honor of playing for the national team is not lost on him. Before revealing his thoughts on the 2028 selection, the 2x NBA champion was proud of wearing the national jersey.

“It’s a huge part, I feel like. Team USA also presented that platform to put us on the big stage and so many people watching. I’m not proud for just playing for your country, it’s a dream come true. Going to other countries and representing the United States and seeing that pride that everybody has for their country.” Further adding, Kevin Durant stated how he felt that the last Olympics coverage was magical and called it a dope experience.

During the 2024 Olympic Games, he averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22.2 minutes per game, helping lead the USA Men’s National Team to its fifth-straight gold medal at the Olympics. Not too bad for someone who came off the bench in five of the six games in this tournament. The role for KD was different, since the team already had LeBron James and Stephen Curry on the floor. However, the 36-year-old was still effective and resilient on both ends of the floor.

Not to forget, KD entered the 2024 Paris Olympics dealing with a left calf strain, which sidelined him for the entirety of Team USA’s training camp and all five exhibition games in the preseason.

In the second half of the final, Durant nailed in tough mid-range shots, later made a timely block of Yabusele at the rim. His grit was visible, and he made a tough defensive rebound while up six with 2:22 left. So, there are no signs of him stopping down. Sharing his mindset, KD confidently shared, “I still enjoy going to the gym every day, so that’s a start.” But will his co-Avengers join him?

LeBron James and Stephen Curry already revealed their plans for the 2028 team

The two Akron natives have had an interesting story with each other. From being arch-nemesis and not liking each other to truly enjoying each other’s company. Well, that’s what coming together can do. LeBron is already 40, and Curry is 37. Their return to the LA Olympics is still possible, but their statement might lead Grant Hill to look for replacements.

In episode 6 of the same Netflix series, we saw Anthony Edwards asking what everyone is eager to know. “You coming back in ’28?” Stephen Curry gave an instant reply, “Yeah, I’m gonna coach. Steve ain’t gonna coach, I’m the coach”. Is there any truth to it? Only time will tell. But LeBron James wasn’t far behind in floating this idea for himself. Kevin Durant posed the same question to LeBron. James’ reply? “I mean, I’ll coach these m———. Guarantee we win gold. Guarantee.” 

With them possibly coaching, and KD still being part of the team, it will surely be another iconic moment for Team USA basketball. Their company already had Durant beaming with pride. “Just seeing us move around like that throughout the whole summer. Words can’t describe how that experience is.” Let’s see what kind of experience the 2028 Olympics has in store for the fans.