Kevin Durant has admitted that seeing his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook retire from the NBA was difficult to accept, with the announcement serving as a powerful reminder that an era of the league is gradually coming to an end.
Durant and Westbrook were once one of the NBA’s most explosive young duos, leading the Thunder to become perennial contenders during their time together in Oklahoma City. Their partnership ultimately ended when Durant left the franchise for the Golden State Warriors in 2016, a decision that changed the course of both players’ careers.
While their relationship was complicated by Durant’s departure, the two have remained on good terms over the years. Westbrook went on to establish himself as a superstar in his own right, winning the 2017 MVP award and becoming one of the league’s most dynamic players.
Westbrook eventually stepped away from the NBA in 2026, bringing an end to a remarkable career and leaving Durant to reflect on the journey they shared.
Speaking about Westbrook’s retirement on Boardroom Talks, Durant acknowledged that the news hit differently because of how closely their careers were intertwined.
“It just hit me, man, because it’s just like that’s one of the first dudes you come in with and you was around every day to finally step out of this.”
Durant added that although several players from his generation or younger have already retired, Westbrook’s decision felt particularly significant because of their shared history.
The retirement also served as something of a reality check for Durant, who entered the NBA in 2007 and is now approaching two decades as a professional basketball player.
While Durant has shown no indication that he is ready to walk away from the game, Westbrook’s retirement has made the passage of time impossible to ignore. Many of the players who entered the league around Durant have already moved on, leaving him among the remaining stars from that generation.
Despite that emotional reminder, Durant continues to be driven by his love for basketball and appears determined to keep playing for as long as he can.
For a player who shared some of the most memorable years of his early career with Westbrook, seeing his former teammate officially call time on his NBA journey represents more than just the retirement of another star — it marks the closing of another chapter of an unforgettable NBA era.
